Brad Penner – USA TODAY Sports
Philadelphia Eagles
TEAM NEEDS: OL, DL, CB, QB, S
Maybe the most intriguing team of the offseason has been the Philadelphia Eagles. There seems to be a general buzz about what new head coach Chip Kelly is going to do when it comes to personnel and scheme in the NFL. The buzz is there for very good reason, as a new era of offensive football is being ushered into the NFL and Kelly’s hire could spark massive change around the league.
The Eagles did a grade A job of filling their holes prior to the draft with solid signings which include; Isaac Sopoaga, Connor Barwin, Bradley Fletcher, Cary Williams, Patrick Chung, Kenny Phillips, Donnie Jones and James Casey. That’s eight new starters to go with the depth signings of Clifton Geathers and Jason Phillips. The Eagles then pulled off trades for Tampa Bay receiver Arrelious Benn and Cleveland reserve linebacker Emmanuel Acho. It was a busy offseason that was just beginning.
With almost every starting spot addressed the Eagles positioned themselves to make a run at the best player available and could move around the draft to find talented players to push the competition to new levels in Philly.
After the break, check out a pick by pick analysis of the Eagles 2013 NFL Draft selections.
Round One, (4) – Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma
The Eagles line was a mess in 2012 due to injuries and poor play by reserves. The clear cut top need was to address a group in need of serious upgrade. Lane Johnson brings exactly what Chip Kelly craves on the offensive line – athleticism and versatility. Johnson was the draft’s top athlete at the tackle position and may have as much upside as any, at any position, in the draft. Johnson will be inserted at right tackle, allowing Todd Heremans to move back inside to right guard. Jason Peters is one of the best left tackles in the game when healthy but he is creeping up in age and Johnson could and should be the long-term answer at the left tackle position.
Round Two, (35) – Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford
Tight end wasn’t a major need heading into the draft with Brent Celek, James Casey, and Clay Harbor all capable options. That said, Casey is going to fit in a hybrid H-back role, ala Colt Lyerla at Oregon and Ertz gives Kelly some versatility to play inline and flex out at the TE position. Its no coincidence that Ertz had his way with Kelly’s Oregon squad this season and he got a first hand look at what Ertz could be at the next level.
Round Three, (67) – Bennie Logan, DL, LSU
I’m not as high on Bennie Logan as others are but he’s a guy that gives the Eagles some flexibility on the defensive line. Another guy that Kelly coveted in the recruiting process and snags in his first stint as head man in the NFL. Logan is a solid athlete with the power to stop the run but was often found on the sidelines at LSU. His conditioning will need to improve for him to make an impact for the Eagles.
Round Four, (98) – Matt Barkley, QB, USC
Matt Barkley may have played his best game against Oregon (you can’t count Colorado). Kelly wasted no time to trade up for Barkley as he slid out of day two of the draft. It is a bit of a head scratcher as the Eagles already have Nick Foles on the roster, as both quarterbacks are pro-style drop back passers. One thing is certain, Barkley will give Kelly what he’s looking for at the position – a guy that can get rid of the ball quickly and make good decisions. I don’t know what this means for the future of Foles with the Eagles but Barkley could be the long-term answer to the position post-Vick.
Round Five, (136) – Earl Wolff, S, NC State
Earl Wolff was one of our top sleeper picks in the draft and he came off the board where we figured he would. I first discovered Wolff on accident as I was watching David Amerson. At the time, I was only familiar with the name and hadn’t seen much of the player. It wasn’t long before I came to the conclusion that he was the best defensive player on a team that touted more heralded stars such as Amerson.
Round Seven, (212) – Joe Kruger, DE, Utah
The Eagles hit home runs with the next two selections. Kruger was a steal this late in the draft as he carried a fourth round grade on our board. Kruger comes from a football family and many questioned his decision to declare early but he can play. He’s a project but the raw tools are there for him to be a success at the next level.
Round Seven, (218) – Jordan Poyer, CB, Oregon State
The fact that Jordan Poyer slid into the seventh round was one of the most dumbfounding facts of the draft. If there’s 217 better players than Poyer than I should turn in my card as an evaluator. Poyer will make this roster and compete early with a so-so group of corners.
Round Seven, (239) – David King, DE, Oklahoma
I didn’t see any tape on David King, so I can’t give a breakdown of the pick. By all accounts he was worth a flier in the seventh round as a developmental 5T.
UNDRAFTED FREE AGENT SIGNINGS: Matthew Tucker, RB, TCU – Miguel Maysonet, RB, Stony Brook – Russell Shepard, WR, LSU – Kyle Quinn, C, Arizona – Matt Tobin, OL, Iowa – Isaac Remington, DT, Oregon Damion Square, DL, Alabama – Jake Knott, LB, Iowa State – Matt Evans, LB, UNH – Brad Wing, P, LSU
This draft would have been a homerun for me if the Eagles would have left Bennie Logan be in the third round. Before and after that pick, I think the Eagles got excellent values by adding depth and upside to their roster.
Year one of the Chip Kelly regime may go through more than few bumps in the road as he looks for a cultural change with players, organization, and the NFL school of traditional thought. With a solid draft under his belt and a much improved roster, Kelly should have the Eagles competitive well into the future.
