| Philadelphia Eagles 2008 NFL Draft Grade |
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The Eagles took Trevor Laws of Notre Dame with their first pick and I'm not sure he's a natural fit in a 4-3 defense. He played end in the 3-4 in college where he thrived, amassing 115 total tackles. They then went after wild card receiver DeSean Jackson who is a terror as a returner on special teams but lacks natural receiver abilities like running crisp routes. His return abilities however are well worth a second round pick in his defense.
Philly also addressed the secondary with a pair of big talents, Quintin Demps and Jack Ikegwuonu. Both are future contributors. Quintin Demps is a long-term possibility at safety who has good range and a nose for being around the ball. Ikegwuonu will be sitting on the IR all season recovering from a torn ACL; he would have gone early to mid-second round at the latest had he been healthy. He was the best corner prospect in the Big-10. One thing that you can count on from the Eagles is their love for small school talent. They took three linebackers this year all from schools I couldn't locate on a map, Bryan Smith from McNeese State in the third, Joe Mays from North Dakota State and Andy Studebaker from Wheaton both in the sixth round. Smith appears to be the one to look at as he was an undersized defensive end whom they hope to transition to outside linebacker. For sleepers you turn to the offensive line where a pair of tackles may play inside at the next level. Mike McGlynn played opposite Jeff Otah at Pittsburgh and really should fare well at right guard in Philly. Mike Gibson from California will be on the practice squad as he transitions; he has really good size but needs to work on technique, footwork and hands. The biggest sleeper of them all comes in the form of 6'9" King Dunlap of Auburn, once considered a day one pick. Dunlap has the tools to be successful but he needs to put his recent setbacks from college behind him. Round 2 (47) – Trevor Laws – DT – 6’1” 304 – Notre Dame Round 2 (49) – DeSean Jackson – WR – 6’0” 178 – California Round 3 (80) – Bryan Smith – OLB – 6’2” 228 – McNeese State Round 4 (109) – Mike McGlynn – OT – 6’5” 318 – Pittsburgh Round 4 (117) – Quintin Demps – FS – 6’0” 206 – Texas-El Paso Round 4 (131) – Jack Ikegwuonu – CB – 5’11” 194 – Wisconsin Round 6 (184) – Mike Gibson – OT – 6’4” 305 – California Round 6 (200) – Joe Mays – ILB – 5’11” 245 – North Dakota State Round 6 (203) – Andy Studebaker – OLB – 6’3” 251 – Wheaton Round 7 (230) – King Dunlap – OT – 6’9” 310 – Auburn Philadelphia Eagles – Draft Grade – C-
By T. Lewis, 20Yardline.com |