2011 NFL Draft: Philadelphia Eagles Top Value Picks

by JasonB on May 1, 2011 4:13 PM EDT in Philadelphia Eagles News

We're going to accentuate the positive here on BGN today by taking a look at what some national media types are saying the Eagles best value picks were.

Pete Prisco of CBS Sports said their best pick was Danny Watkins, "I like the pick of Danny Watkins in the first round. He is a nasty player who will fit in on their offensive line, which needs help."

He also named Casey Matthews a 3rd day gem saying, "Fourth-round pick Casey Matthews, Clay's little brother, will help at a position of need. Should be a good special-teams player, as well."

ESPN's Todd McShay called Jaiquawn Jarrett the Eagles best pick - "I believe Jarrett will be a good starter in the NFL, and with Quintin Mikell a free agent, Jarrett will ideally step in right away. He's not big, but he's tough, and Jarrett is one of the more underrated defensive backs in the 2011 class."

National Football Post draft writer Wes Bunting praised the pick of Brian Rolle in the 6th - "If Brian Rolle was three inches taller and ten pounds heavier, he likely would have gone within the top 50 picks. He’s tough, instinctive, finds the football and plays the game with a mean streak. However, Rolle lacks ideal size and will likely be more of a nickel backer in the Eagles 43 front, but he holds up very well in space vs. the pass game and should mature into a quality special teams guy as well."

Tweet Comment 43 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I like the Jarrett Pick the most

However, I would like it if he picked up another 10 lbs or so. He throws his body around a lot and is going to be doing a lot of his impact tackling. I just don’t want him ending up like Sanders where he uses his body up too quick regarding his size.

by macjack09 on May 1, 2011 4:25 PM EDT reply actions

Dawkins was around 197 and 6’ when he was drafted…also, everyone thought that was a huge reach too.
I’m sure he’ll hit the weight room.

"If I can get you to think twice, I'm in your head."
-Brian Dawkins

"Yeah, I like to hit people"
-Brandon Graham

by immynimmy on May 1, 2011 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions

I figured

I don’t think Jarrett was more than a 1 round reach. I loved the kid.

by macjack09 on May 1, 2011 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Same

And we picked at the end of the 2nd round so all we really did was pick about 15 spots early to insure that we got our guy. It’s what we did for almost every pick in this draft. Fans should be excited that we seem to have not missed out on any of our targets.

by cin7 on May 1, 2011 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, I mean every play is going to add 10+pounds of muscle after he’s on an NFL conditioning program for a year or two. Plus, some of these guys are still filling out.

I mean, look at the difference in Clay Matthews from when he left college to now.

Follow Bleeding Green Nation on Twitter & Facebook

by JasonB on May 1, 2011 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions

"If I can get you to think twice, I'm in your head."
-Brian Dawkins

"Yeah, I like to hit people"
-Brandon Graham

by immynimmy on May 1, 2011 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Better living through chemistry, that.

I honestly don’t understand Matthews’ role. He’s smaller than Bradley and smaller AND slower than Chaney so I can’t see him beating out either for MIKE or SAM and he’s probably not enough of an athlete to play the WIL, which is really where they need help. He seems like one of those “gets the maximum out of his talent” types who gets cut the instant he loses half a step because he’s just not athletic enough. I admit I haven’t seen much of his game, though he didn’t really stand out in the MNC game, but I just don’t know what he’s here to do.

by Tracer Bullet on May 1, 2011 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions

The scout reports I have seen, says Matthews was the best cover LB in the draft, so he should be a good WILL or MIKE for us

by Anders Jensen on May 1, 2011 6:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Good coverage, high football IQ. Hopefully, he can become the on field leader our defense has been missing.

AR should have to wear a Flava Flav necklace until he learns how to manage a fucking clock.

They did get a good value mid-round pick. Un-fucking-fortunately, they took him in the first round.

by KByars on May 1, 2011 6:26 PM EDT up reply actions

And Jesus do we need a great cover LB.

Eagles next starting QB: "East-West Shrine Game Legend" Mike Kafka
Flyers: Waiting for The Marquis DSOD's first goal
Phillies: starting off well.

by bdawk4ever on May 1, 2011 7:27 PM EDT up reply actions

We're going to have our LB's

read and react more than attack like in years passed.. Matthews fit’s this perfectly.

I think he’ll be our MIKE where his nose for the ball and coverage abilities can be taken advantage of.

Defensive player of the year for 2011 is...

Wild_Eagle!

Yes, Wild_Eagle's infamous reputation did help him get this award. But he shows that he walks the talk that he serves...with his keyboard. Wild_Eagle protects the motherland (BGN) from the evils of noobs, douche-bags, and other assholes. Although he may be crude and unnecessary, all great defenders draws the yellow flag from time to time.

-Awarded by Number5

by wild_eagle on May 1, 2011 6:25 PM EDT up reply actions

At worst he becomes a new Ike Reese for us…. not bad at all there.

by Ant on May 1, 2011 9:53 PM EDT up reply actions

That'd be ok.

Defensive player of the year for 2011 is...

Wild_Eagle!

-Awarded by Number5

by wild_eagle on May 1, 2011 10:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Ah, he was a bum :D

by dweebowitz on May 1, 2011 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions

These are the picks I'm most excited about

1. Henery

I don’t know why kickers get such little love. They are the leading scorers on every team all the time and they have to be clutch. Kickers win games and that’s a fact. We’ve been spoiled with Akers and I’m looking forward to being spoiled again because having a crummy kicker really sucks (ask the redskins). Getting a potentially legendary kicker is great and I’m stoked.

2. Dion Lewis

I see him as an Ahmad Bradshaw type runner… tough, compacted, hard to bring down. He is different than most of the RB’s we usually use so i am excited.

3. Casey Matthews

I think he has a lot of potential and I think he has a chip on his shoulder for being taken so late (I think in his mind he was expecting to go sooner- total speculation). He also looked very impressive during the National Champoinship. He’s not his brother but I think he’s going to try as hard as possible to close that gap.

4. Brian Rolle

Eagles drafted some bloodlines. This dude is a tank. He’s just a wrecking ball so I think he could be fun to watch assuming he makes the team. In my opinion, I think he will.

"I don’t know whether I prefer Astroturf to grass. I never smoked Astroturf." - Joe Namath

by David_K on May 1, 2011 4:38 PM EDT reply actions

I agree...

…I love the Henery pick. I haven’t read anything about him (including from people who have seen him play regularly) that wasn’t incredibly positive. Amazing kicker, really nice kid.

Really, the only pick I haven’t talked myself into is Jarrett, but it;s not because I don’t think they needed a SS to develop, but I just dont think he’s all that awesome. I guess we’ll find out…

by dweebowitz on May 1, 2011 6:20 PM EDT up reply actions

I love the Henery pick too

by philiafan14364 on May 1, 2011 10:44 PM EDT up reply actions

I was thinking the exact same thing about Henery

We’ve been spoiled by having Akers for so long. Kickers are important. Or if you prefer, having an bad kicker is important. With the normal caveats, getting a clutch guy who’s got a big leg and great accuracy is something to be excited about.

As far as it being too early to get him (as I’ve seen said elsewhere), it’s not like a 4th round pick in this year’s draft is a guaranteed starter anyway. A team with a history of red zone issues on offense and 40+ year old kicker without a contract could do a lot worse in the 4th round of a weak draft.

by theguyotc on May 1, 2011 9:45 PM EDT up reply actions

it’s not like a 4th round pick in this year’s draft is a guaranteed starter anyway. A team with a history of red zone issues on offense and 40+ year old kicker without a contract could do a lot worse in the 4th round of a weak draft.

Exactly. How could anyone hate on that pick? A guaranteed scoring (potentially 10 year) starter for a fourth round pick? Yes please. And a very safe pick. Sure kickers fail in the NFL, but there’s nothing pointing to this kid not being to handle the pressure of the NFL.

"I don’t know whether I prefer Astroturf to grass. I never smoked Astroturf." - Joe Namath

by David_K on May 1, 2011 11:12 PM EDT up reply actions

I know OG isn’t the most sexy pick, but he was one of the top 2 or 3 guards in this draft.(Also he played OT in College so he might be able to swtich in time)

The Watkins addition will protect Vick, and make him have even crazier plays next season———WHICH makes this the sexiest pick of the draft.

No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try.

by Spurs Yoda on May 1, 2011 4:50 PM EDT reply actions

Watkins was the best OG...

Defensive player of the year for 2011 is...

Wild_Eagle!

-Awarded by Number5

by wild_eagle on May 1, 2011 6:26 PM EDT up reply actions

seems like the theme of this years draft class is toughness

which i like..lots of blue collar players

JoeD AKA The Voice Of Reason

by Joe_D on May 1, 2011 4:51 PM EDT reply actions

Also High Character.

…if you read about these guys, it’s really a recurrent theme what great kids these are, as a group.

by dweebowitz on May 1, 2011 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions

not to mention...

players with good football bloodlines.

by awd777 on May 1, 2011 9:29 PM EDT up reply actions

arm in photo

That is the oddest angle for an arm w/ ball… almost looks photoshopped

My favorite 3 picks are:
Watkins – don’t care about his age, just keep Vick safe ASAP
Henery – I hate to see Akers go, but Henery looks incredible…
Matthews – he’ll have a chip on his shoulder, looking to get out of the shadow of his brother.

by theVickers on May 1, 2011 4:55 PM EDT reply actions

Yes, now that you say that… it is kinda weird.

Follow Bleeding Green Nation on Twitter & Facebook

by JasonB on May 1, 2011 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions

on an unrelated note

I just went to the Lions draft day thread to check out their initial reaction to picking Fairley.
Believe it or not, they were actually pissed that the Lions pick Failey over Prince.
Talk about craziness!!!!
I think Suh and Fairley are going to terrorize the NFC for years.

When was the last time you said “Boy, am I glad that we don’t play the Lions this year…..”?

by Phillyrampage on May 1, 2011 5:02 PM EDT reply actions

LOL

When they made the pick that’s exactly what I said, then I had to google our schedule really quick just to make sure.

by cin7 on May 1, 2011 6:35 PM EDT up reply actions

I actually would like to see us play the Lions after FA happens.

See if we bring in a better RT and then see how our revamped OL handles the Lions front 4.

by WarGeist on May 1, 2011 6:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Sure, after seeing what we drafted after the Lions made the pick it would be a good… preseason game? :P

by cin7 on May 1, 2011 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions

...for Kafka.

by ATG. on May 2, 2011 1:29 AM EDT up reply actions

My favorite picks are Watkins, Marsh, Matthews, and Havili. Watkins seems like a nice tough dude, Marsh has lots of potential and the raw tools to contribute right away, Matthews seems like a versatile player, and Havili intrigues me; he could be a nice weapon in our offense.

I can’t get excited about the Henery pick like a lot of people are because I firmly believe you are just as likely (if not more likely) to find elite kickers as undrafted free agents.

DTMWTD

by alcatraz0109 on May 1, 2011 5:08 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

I agree on kickers, but the reports about this Henery kid seem special. He’s the best kicking prospect in several years. He finished his career as the most accurate kicker in NCAA history. He’s clutch, he’s got distance… He could be special. I think that’s worth using a pick for.

Of course, I’m just going on what I read and here now.. Admittedly, I really didn’t know anything about this guy before the Eagles took him.

I first got excited when the moment he was picked, the guy who writes our Jets blog turns to me and basically says “Do you even realize how good this guys is?” He’d done this whole preview on him and was convinced he’d be a high pick.

Follow Bleeding Green Nation on Twitter & Facebook

by JasonB on May 1, 2011 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions

The key thing is his accuracy

I questioned it as well, and I really hoped that we didn’t draft someone like Buehler (more of a freak of nature with huge potential but not fine-tuned yet). I’m all on board with this pick after looking him up and seeing that he was highly praised for his accuracy and clutch kicks in a windy stadium where his "distance kicks’ are just icing on the cake.

by cin7 on May 1, 2011 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions

If that was true, why do so many teams keep trying the same crappy kickers every year?

by Anders Jensen on May 1, 2011 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions

While it is true that the top 5 kickers last year (by %) were UDFAs

They’re also all 30+ years old. You have to go down to Matt Prater (tied for 10th) to find a young guy.

The notion out there is that Henery isn’t just another kicker. I don’t mind using a 4th rd pick to get a special player who puts points on the board.

by theguyotc on May 1, 2011 9:58 PM EDT up reply actions

im saying

knowing he may be put on the ir with turf toe, but gregs lloyd son is gonna be somebody i feel can be aq monster for the future. the fact he wanna be better than his father, also the fact before the injury he was a beast. i think if he’s not on the ir, he can help us out on the special teams just to get the feel and then 2012 he’ll be a monster

by Lamontee Francis on May 1, 2011 6:52 PM EDT reply actions

Gosselin Grade

On talk radio station, super draft expert Rick Gosselin (in my opinion, the best draft expert there is) gave the Eagles a “C” grade meaning they did fine.
However, when asked who had the WORST draft he picked the Eagles. He still liked the Watkins pick, re-iterating he was the safest pick of the first round and a likely 2012 Pro Bowler. He did not like the small size of Kelce and Rolle and thought choosing a Kicker with a 4th round pick was a waste.

I tend to agree with him. All the players the Eagles drafted seemed like they were picked about a round too high. I see little upside in all their picks. The one spot I wanted an immediate starter is likely the spot with the most work and best upside in Marsh. Vandervelde seemed like the worst pick in my opinion (do not like him as a talent and seemed too high a pick, would have preferred a high risk guy there instead).

Taken as a whole I think Eagles did address their needs and in pretty correct order. Then did not take the consensus BPA (like maybe the NYG or GB did) but again it really depends on how those players perform.
OG: Watkins likely starter at RG, depth to replace MJG & Cole
DB: CB to compete but still need starter, SS to replace Mikell
DL: None, Sapp, Graham, Abiamiri back from injury, Laws might fit Washburn’s scheme
LB: I think LB responsibilities will change the most with new DC. Needed depth for losses of Sims, Jordan, Gaither, Bradley.
K/P: Akers and Rocca are potential FA
RB: Harrison is FA, need improvement from Buckley, Lewis is a runner, Havili is 3rd down back (does not appear to be a legit FB, since he cannot run block)
KR: None. I guess that Calvin, Lawson, Moss, Hall will be in the mix

by phxphilly on May 2, 2011 10:16 AM EDT reply actions

Ravens fan here

Congratulations on snagging Casey Matthews. I was hoping he would end up in purple & black this year, but you guys beat us to the punch. What are your thoughts on him starting for you this year? I honestly feel that this kid has a lot of upside, and other teams will be kicking themselves for not drafting him for years to come. He may not be a mirror image of his big brother, but all through college he mad big plays in big games. This kid is the definition of clutch. We played Philly, best of luck to you….

"Really, all Americans want is cold beer, warm p***y, and someplace to take a s**t with a door on it."

by StuckInUtah on May 2, 2011 10:57 AM EDT reply actions

Eagles fan here

Congratulations on snagging Jimmy Smith. I was hoping he would end up in midnight green this year, but ~~you guys~~ Andy Reid beat us to the punch.

Last name Ever
First name Greatest

by Djax10 on May 2, 2011 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks for the classy comment.

What are your thoughts on him starting for you this year?

He probably shouldn’t this year. He is still a fourth round rookie, needing some time to develop on bench and play some special teams. Him seeing any significant starting time mean something went really wrong with the Eagles linebacking corp.

RIP Jim Johnson, best ever.
Cam Newton: future QB bust

by Imp on May 2, 2011 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions

or he spoke with Clay’s HGH guy.

I would like to thank my hands for being so great, for allowing me to type this post.

by corn on the kolb on May 2, 2011 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions

I like all the picks ... On one condition

As long as we have a cb with the initials of NA or PP before the season starts. Otherwise, I will be pissed that we passed on a value corner for a 27 yr old firefighter.

by Saidrick on May 2, 2011 11:44 AM EDT via mobile reply actions