1 pick down, and plenty more to go

I liked what the Eagles did last night, although I was not looking forward to them selecting an offensive lineman in the 1st round, it makes a lot of sense.  With the addition of Watkins (and I'm sure you'll read and hear a lot about him in the upcoming days), with just one move, we've pretty much solidified our offensive line. 

Howard Mudd did give his blessings on this guy so we know he's going to fit right in with the scheme that Mudd wants to play.  A potential starting line up on the OL could be:  LT - Peters, LG -  McGlynn / Watkins, C - Jamaal Jackson, RG - McGlynn / Watkins, RT - Todd Herremans, with Austin Howard and Winston Justice in the mix there.  Coach Reid said that Watkins can play Tackle, Guard or even Center so it will be interesting to see where he finally ends up fitting in.  And they will probably add another offensive lineman in free agency or later in the draft to add to the depth. 

Okay, so one pick down and one area of concern addressed.  Now we can move on from the offensive line and look ahead to our other needs.  The more I hear Andy Reid and Spuds talk about the CB position, more I'm convinced that they are going to address this position thru free agency.  And that's a good thing.  CB's take a couple of years to develop and I'd rather have someone who is already established and on the top of their game rather than going thru the growing pains with a rookie who is not guaranteed to be a star.  So, I like their approach at that position, and I won't repeat for the billionth time who they would be looking at in FA.  Imagine Asante Samuel and the best RCB in the FA market in the defensive backfield.  I feel bad for Manning and Romulus and whoever the Redskins have starting this year.  So we'll have to wait and see how that situation develops when free agency starts (as early as next week).  The Eagles should go all in for that RCB in free agency, and I think they will. 

If that scenario works out, then we would have addressed the OL and the CB positions.  So what is realistic for Round 2 and 3 tonite ?  What areas of need ?  Or do they go with the best player available.  I still think Safety is an area of concern and maybe LB.  With Brandon Graham's injury, they also have to think about another DE opposite of Trent Cole.  I would love for the Eagles to move up in the 2nd round and get a guy with 1st round potential.  Again, I don't know much about the college players but Akeem Ayers or Bowers (if not a medical concern) wouldn't be too bad to go up and grab at this point.  Or we could just sit back and relax and wait for the 54th pick and see who the Eagles will surprise us with there.  The 9 remaining picks are very valuable, as we saw what they did with the later round picks last year. 

This is the most exciting time of the year and the best is yet to come ! 

Time for Roseman and Co. to earn their checks.

Here's who Peter King had the Eagles selecting in his Final Mock Draft:

23. Philadelphia Eagles

Will Pick: Danny Watkins, G, Baylor
Should Pick: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado

Baylor coach Art Briles has been saying for the past year that Watkins, the former firefighter from Canada who didn't play football until junior college, would be a first-round pick. And he was hooted down. Art, you're going to have the last laugh. Philadelphia would consider pass rushers Aldon Smith and Adrian Clayborn here. But Andy Reid has an affinity for O-linemen, and Watkins is the kind of tough player Eagles fans will love.

Check out what Captain Andy has to say about Watkins amongst other topics.