In the Final Analysis: Outlook On Our Picks

Another draft come and gone...minicamps and signings over the next couple months...start of training camp three months away...nothing left to do now but take a look at the latest Eaglets to join the nest!

Round 1 (19th Overall) - Jeremy Maclin, WR, Mizzou (6'1", 198 lbs.)

Yet again, Cap'n Andy surprised everyone when he went with this talented young receiver, even after the consensus pick, Knowshon Moreno, came off the board.  While many viewed this as a good pick and a steal (many experts had Maclin as a potential top ten talent), some chided Reid and Co. for going with an unproven rookie receiver instead of dealing for an established star in Anquan Boldin.  Still, Maclin gives the Eagles another potential weapon for McNabb.  He's got good hands and agility, and in college he was a star returner and could score from anywhere on the field.  My guess is that he'll wind up returning kicks and battling Hank Baskett for the slot receiver spot.  He has the tools to become a number one someday.

Round 2 (53rd Overall) - LeSean McCoy, RB, Pitt (5'11", 210 lbs.)

This was another steal for the Birds; many experts believe that he has first-round talent, so to get him at 53 was a godsend.  He has decent size and speed, but it's his agility and elusiveness that make him a threat.  He makes tacklers miss in the open field, and his versatility catching passes out of the backfield will fit right into Andy's offensive scheme.  He has to improve his north-south abilities, but overall he is an excellent choice to spell Brian Westbrook, and a good candidate to be his eventual successor.  The lack of depth behind Brian pretty much makes LeSean the automatic number 2 on the chart.

Round 5 (153rd overall) - Cornelius Ingram, TE, Florida (6'4", 245 lbs.)

One hundred players went before the Eagles made their third pick of the draft, and when they made it, I have to admit, I was perplexed as to why they waited so long to pick a tight end when Jared Cook and Chase Coffman were there for the taking.  But don't get me wrong; Ingram has a lot of talent.  He's a good, fluid route-runner who can create mismatches with linebackers, but in the grand tradition of Eagles tight ends, he apparently can't block worth a damn.  He's a bit undersized for his position, but so are Chris Cooley and Dallas Clark.  At this point, with L.J. Smth gone and Matt Schobel occupying a spot purely for insurance purposes, Ingram looks to take over the backup role as someone who can challenge and push Celek.

Round 5 (157th Overall) - Victor Harris, CB, Virgina Tech (5'11", 194 lbs.)

Harris is a solid pick because of his superior size for his position (he could wind up at safety), which allows him to go head-to-head with the bigger receivers.  He's a ball-hawk, and he can come up with the big interception, but his tackling skills leave something to be desired, as does his footwork.  Because of this, and the current depth at CB (we acquired Ellis Hobbs from New England), I wouldn't be surprised if Andy tries him out at safety, where he could become a capable backup.

Round 5 (159th Overall) - Fenuki Tupou, OT, Oregon (6'6", 330 lbs.)

This is an interesting pick.  Fenuki has great upside because, to put it bluntly, he's a goddamn ogre.  He has the kind of size that makes o-line coaches drool, and he apparently packs a wallop off the snap.  He's a project though, because rather than use his size and brute strength to maul his opponents, he will often let them control the engagement.  His footwork is also a tad suspect, but with the help of Juan Castillo, who is one of the best in the business, I think Fenuki could raise his football i.q. and become a backup as early as this season, perhaps replacing Winston Justice if he has a good enough showing in camp.

Round 6 (194th Overall) - Brandon Gibson, WR, Washington St. (6'1", 204 lbs.)

I think this is basically a filler pick; along with Maclin, it signifies the likely departure of Reggie Brown from the fold.  Gibson doesn't have prototypical size, but he does have deceptive top-end speed that can stretch the field., as well as the kind of work ethic that impresses NFL coaches.  His hands and route-running abilities are suspect, however, as is his ability to create separation, which is something that a QB like McNabb must have.  Even with Brown gone, there will still be a plethora of receivers: Curtis, Jackson, Maclin, Avant, Baskett...I highly doubt the final roster will field six receivers.  I think Gibson's got practice squad written all over him.

Round 7 (213th Overall) - Paul Fanaika, G, Arizona St. (6'6", 336 lbs.)

Here's another big ol' hogmolly for Juan Castillo to work with.  Like Tupou, he has tremendous size and a violent punch off the snap, as well as good upper-body strength, but his agility is lacking.  He has the tools to make the team, but he'll have some tough competition. 

Round 7 (230th Overall) - Moise Fokou, OLB (6'2", 225 lbs.)

Fokou has good range and is an aggressive, impressive open-field tackler, which is something that Jim Johnson could use.  He is not very fluid, however, and he's more of a straight-line kind of guy than a sideline-to-sideline stud.  Unless guys like Tracy White or Tank Daniels screw the pooch at camp, Fokou will probably find himself on the practice squad.

Overall Grade: B+ / A -

The Eagles filled some key needs in this draft, but moreover, they drafted for value.  Andy stayed true to form, preferring to hoard picks (he has 11 next year) rather than use them immediately.  Although I would like to have seen a true safety taken in later rounds, as well as a linebacker taken earlier, this was a very good all-around effort, and we fans should be even more excited for the upcoming season.  McNabb-to-Maclin...hmm...the M+M Boys?  Has a nice ring to it!