Out of Position

What position is the Eagles’ greatest need in the draft? Inqy’s Bob Brookover says WR/KR which is why he thinks they’ll take Devin Thomas.

 

I’m thinking offensive lineman. The Eagles bookend tackles are both entering the final year of their contracts. And based on that, Brookover suggests that the position isn’t a pressing need.

 

Howver, if we’ve learned anything from the Reid era is that 1) he loves drafting linemen 2) avoids skill players in the first round and 3) drafts on need for the following year.

 

Thus, we got Lito Sheppard, Sheldon Brown, and Michael Lewis all taken in a draft while we still had pro bowl corners Troy Vincent and Bobby Taylor under contract.

 

My best guess is that the Eagles either move up in the first round to grab the O-lineman they really want (Ryan Clady?), or take whoever’s left at 19 (Jeff Otah?) and perhaps package some picks to move up in the second round or into the late first round to grab Kenny Phillips, the “U’s” stellar safety and BDawk heir apparent.

 

I write that with the disclaimer that I think it ridiculous to speculate on who exactly the Eagles will draft given the vagaries of the other teams picking ahead of the Eagles. Certainly some draft predictions last year would have been much more accurate if the Patriots hadn’t snagged Brandon Merriweather ahead of the Eagles. And let’s not forget that NO ONE saw the John Welbourn trade and Shawn Andrews pick coming. That was a total shock on draft day. Or, for that matter, trading down for Kevin Freakin’ Kolb after Merriweather became unavailable.

 

Should be interesting.

 

Tomorrow: Why don’t more teams trade picks for players?