FanPost

After almost a full day of digestion


The Watkins pick has grown on me. A lot actually. Yesterday in the thread, I compared it to opening a present on Christmas morning and finding a 6 pack of tube socks. And that is not quite fair. It is easily a pack of undies, a pack of t shirts and a nice pair of jeans as well. The classic "mom" gift. Almost never what you want, but almost always something you need. And will use.

The reality is that Watkins is probably the least sexy pick that we could have made, but that doesn't mean it can't end up being the wisest selection possible, once we have the luxury of hindsight in a few years. Or 1 year, I guarantee Steelers fans are happier with Pouncey now then they were when PIT drafted him last year. He was only a Pro Bowl C in year 1. If we get anywhere close to that kind of immediate return from Watkins, then AR and Lil Howie will be hailed as geniuses.

An upgrade at RG was the biggest offensive need we had. In theory, Watkins addresses that. He also provides flexibilty. Others on here have pontificated that he could play LG and move Herremans to RT. It isn't what I would do, but it is a logical proposition and definitely a possibility because of Watkins' versatility. I don't remember reading about the rest of the top OL prospects having the ability to play anywhere on the line.

Watkins can step in immediately and contribute to this offense. Personally, the "win now" mentatlity from AR is refreshing, and he didn't sell the future to do it. Even better! I have read several articles today that mentioned that some of the rookie CBs who immediately started for their respective teams have been struggling the past few years, so there is no way of knowing if Jimmy could step right in and play for us.

As for Jimmy, it is hard to not want him and his obvious talents on the field wearing an Eagles uniform, playing opposite Asante and reaking absolute havoc for the next decade. It is even harder to know that we could have had him @ 23. Unfortunately, his off the field behavior is part of the package, and AR and Lil Howie deemed him too much of a risk to draft. If the Facebook stuff is true (I don't know specifics, just that there was some really questionable material on there from right around the time of the Combine), then he is pretty damn stupid for putting that kind of shit online where NFL people can easily see it. Couple that with the rest of the rumors (2 abortions for lady friends, 2 MIP arrests, failed drug test for Weed and/or Codeine) and he is a character risk who doesn't seem to be very intelligent at all. Only time will tell if he has indeed grown up and outgrown the childishness and can now act as a professional.

Moving forward, I would love to see Bruce Carter fall to us in the 2nd and then take a RB, S or ILB in the 3rd, preferably a guy who can contribute on Special Teams. I would happily trade our 3rd this year for a 2nd next year.

I would love to hear who all of you want with our picks.

Either way, I am pretty sure the draft tonight will be pretty entertaining. Can't wait.