Andy Reid Talks Fletcher Cox Pick, Draft Strategy

Thanks to a nice mix of patience and opportunism, Andy Reid got his man yesterday in DT Fletcher Cox. Reid told reporters that he never expected Cox to be on the board as their pick drew near.

"We thought he would be a top six or seven pick" Reid said. "When he dropped, we started making plans."

Reid said that while Cox's superior athleticism is what initially attracted them, they also like his versatility.

"We are not a 3-4 team, but if we decided to go to a three-man front in a nickel situation, he can do that. He can jump outside and still give you legitimate pass rush. He’s big enough to anchor down. I thought going into the draft, to answer your question, and this isn’t as much for us as it is for the kid, we felt he could play in a 34 front or a 4-3 front, and do it equally as well playing defensive end in a 34 front or in a 4-3 play defensive tackle. If needed, he could jump outside like [DT] Cullen Jenkins and still give you legitimate pass rush."

Reid said that they pulled the trade when they did because the price was right and they were never looking to make a big jump up.

"No, we had ourselves honed in on what we wanted to spend, and so we weren’t going to get quite as elaborate as some did. We had other people there that we also liked if this didn’t work out. We felt we were okay and we didn’t have to overspend."

Andy seemed surprised at some of the guys who went ahead of Cox.

"Again, any time things are crazy – you saw a safety go up high and a linebacker go up high. Normally it doesn’t happen quite as frequently as an offensive or defensive lineman going up there, but it worked out. The way it fell, [QB Ryan] Tannehill went and there was some question as to where he was going to go. Miami took him, which helped the situation."