Drafting A TE Early?

[PhillyPhreak54]

I was thinking about this last night at work and then I read this response from Spads on his forum;

I think L.J. is fine. He was on the way to a Pro Bowl-caliber season before McNabb was injured. Wouldn't surprise me to see a TE drafted early, however.

Now we all know that the Eagles are sitting in a prime spot to be a major player. They could trade up to 10ish of they saw Davis fall or they could stay put and take a shot at getting Lewis. Or if they like Pope they could even trade out of that 14th spot and get him a little later, IMO.

I asked Spads some follow up questions...here is my post:

Dave,

I read your comment about not being surprised to see the Eagles go after a TE early on in the draft. I am not opposed to the idea at all especially if they could somehow get a hold of Vernon Davis or Marcedes Lewis or even Leonard Pope (they could trade out of 14 to get him).

But my question(s) about this scenario are:

1. Would they look to draft that TE because they are not fully sold on L.J?

2. Is Andy and Tom thinking that they could use that 2nd TE in lieu of getting a top notch WR? If they thought that and had a WR corps of Reggie Brown, Todd Pinkston, Antwaan Randle-El, Billy McMullen and Greg Lewis I think it would be a good thing when looking for mismatches on the defense. Why? Because if they ran a lot of 2TE sets that would force LBs and S to get on L.J and the new TE and Westbrook out of the backfield would be lethal. Not to mention it would limit the amount of safety help allowed to sneak over to the wide receivers.

3. Are they looking for a more polished in-line blocker as the #2 TE? If so, would they consider (hypothetically of course) a guy like Dan Campbell who is a UFA? He is a stud at blocking and a good role player.

Obviously my preference is to get Kiwanuka at 14. Well, that's my second choice. But we all know the chances of getting Mario are slim to none.

But if they did look at one of the stud TEs how would you feel about it? I think it would be a good idea if Kiwi is off the board at 14. Like I said in my question to Dave -- I think having a lot of double-tight sets (which Reid likes) would be something that defenses would have trouble with considering the weapons the Birds would have. Who do the LBs cover? Do they let one of the TEs go to a safety so they can get Westbrook when he leaks out? Do they go for both TEs and then we watch Westbrook eat up the yards? There are a ton of possibilities here, IMO.

The WR class in UFA and the draft are not very strong. So what is the next best thing you do to upgrade the passing game? You go for a stud TE and sign a middle-tier WR.

Thoughts?

[Rome]

The best thing they could do to improve the passing game is to improve the running game first.

Without a legitimate threat in the backfield, teams will simply tee off on McNabb like they did last year.  Just look at the four remaining teams in the playoffs.  All of them place a premium on running the ball and then killing teams with the pass.

That's not an accident.

If LenDale White is there at 14 and they don't take him, they're farging idiots.

[PhillyPhreak54]

Improving the running game can be achieved simply by committing to the run more often, which I believe Reid will do. Not to mention, having a #2 TE who can block very good is a must have when running the ball.

If they take a RB in round 1 I'd be shocked. They should look to go after Kiwanuka first and foremost to help that DL. But if he's gone and there is a playmaker like Vernon Davis or Marcedes Lewis there at 14 I think it wouldn't be a bad pick. If they like Leonard Pope then they can trade down and pick up another draft pick or two and get Pope.

Commitment to the run + good blocking = improvement.

Don't forget...they have a newly signed Westbrook and a mid round pick at RB already.

They have to add a weapon or two to the passing game as well, bro. Especially since the WR class is weak this year both in the draft and UFA. If Moulds is scooped up by someone else and if Wayne is retained who else is there? Thats why I wouldn't mind them going after Randle-El and getting another playmaker at TE to go along with LJ

[rjs246]

They have a good pass-catching TE. They need a blocking TE. If they draft a TE earlier than the 3rd or fourth round I'll kick my television in.

[MURP]

There is no reason to go TE in round 1.  There is TE depth in the draft and they could stil find a good one later.   

[Rome]

They have a good pass-catching dropping TE. They need a blocking TE. If they draft a TE earlier than the 3rd or fourth round I'll kick my television in.

[PhillyPhreak54]

Yes, but why not add another good pass catching TE?

What if Moulds isn't released?
What if Wayne is tagged or re-signed?

Tha would leave Randle-El as the top free agent WR. I'd like to get him in here if Moulds isn't an option, but what if a team like the boys down on the beltway throw a wad at him?

Who's left to help out the offense?

Vernon Davis, Marcedes Lewis or Leonard Pope + Smith + Westbrook + Moats + Brown + Pinky + mid-level FA WR = as best as we can hope for offensively.

That would play well in the "spread the ball"mentality that Reid embraces.

Don't get me wrong. I want Kiwanuka at 14. But if he's gone then I would seriously consider a TE there.

[Rome]

The Eagles have more pressing needs than TE right now.

IF they address those needs (namely DL, LB, WR, bruising RB) in free agency and a tight end drops to them in the first round, then go right ahead and take him.

Otherwise, they should take the best player available at a position of need.

[MURP]

Yeah I suppose my concern was the pressing needs.   IF they can handle that in FA then it is a different story, but history hasnt really shown that to be the case.   The defense isnt going to win a SB without an overhaul of some personel and an attitude.  If they cant fix the defensive issues it doesnt matter if they have another good TE. 

Then again, maybe Reid isnt actually trying to win a SB this year.  Maybe it will be a rebuilding draft campaign ala Lito,Sheldon, MLewis. 

[PhillyPhreak54]

Sometimes drafting for need is not a good thing to do.

I agree with the best player available, but not the best player available at a position of need. If a guy is there that you have rated high then you grab him. Other than QB, that is. Then you worry about having too mnay of a good player at a position later, and it turns into a good problem to have.

If Kiwi is gone at 14, maybe they trade out of the spot.

But I am not opposed to drafting a TE in round 1 at all if they cannot get some offensive help in FA.

[PhillyPhreak54]

Yeah I suppose my concern was the pressing needs.   IF they can handle that in FA then it is a different story, but history hasnt really shown that to be the case.   The defense isnt going to win a SB without an overhaul of some personel and an attitude.  If they cant fix the defensive issues it doesnt matter if they have another good TE. 

Then again, maybe Reid isnt actually trying to win a SB this year.  Maybe it will be a rebuilding draft campaign ala Lito,Sheldon, MLewis. 

I agree that they need to get other things fixed as well. That's why I said if they got a WR, DT and LB in UFA then they could go after a TE in round 1 if they so choose and not really be affected much.

The only position I want them looking at defensively in round 1 is DE. If Kiwi is gone, then you trade out of 14 or take one of the two top TEs there (Davis or Lewis). Or maybe even Marcus McNeil.

If you trade out of 14 because Kiwi and McNeil and Davis and LEwis are gone then you look at Leonard Pope later on in round 1.

[MURP]

I agree that they need to get other things fixed as well. That's why I said if they got a WR, DT and LB in UFA then they could go after a TE in round 1 if they so choose and not really be affected much.

agreed.


Phreak, you have talked alot of if  Kiwi is gone at 14 or trading down, but what about trading up?  Reid has a fairly consistent history of either trading up or atleast attempting to trade up in the 1st round.  Dont lose hope on Mario Williams yet.   

[Diomedes]

Thoughts?

Meh.  Sure, if Will Witherspoon, Randle El, and Rocky Bernard are already locked up, and the Eagles can gain picks by trading down and picking up a stud TE, I'd go with it. 

That's assuming a lot. 

[PhillyPhreak54]

Oh, believe me bro, I am holding out hope that they will somehow get their hands on Mario Williams. Much like I was pimping Derrick Johnson last year, I will be the certified pimp for Mario Williams this year. And if my numba one ho goes early then my backup is Kiwi.

But the problem with trading up from 14 to 6 or 7 is that they'd have to pay a hefty price to do so. They usually trade up from the low 20's to the teens. That is a big jump but the tag isn't as high because they are lower value picks. When you get into that top 10 teams ae looking to bone other teams for picks and/or players. It will be a long shot, but I am holding out hope. But I can't see Mario getting past GB or OAK.

1. Houston - Bush
2. New Orleans - Leinart
3. Tennessee - Young
4. New York - Ferguson
5. Green Bay -
6. Oakland - CB or LB or maybe even Mario
7. San Fran -
8. Buffalo - Ngata
9. Detroit -
10. Arizona -
11. St. Louis
12. Cleveland -
13. Baltimore -
14. Philadelphia -

If he gets by Green Bay and Oakland then I think SF would go after him. If he got past SF and BUF is on the clock then they take him. But that would also help Ngata slip because I think Ngata is a Bill in waiting.

Detroit looks like the most logical trade partner to me. So we have to hope that a bunch of Mike Mamula's help muddle the process causing Mario and Ngata to drop.

[Rome]

Spads answered your follow-up:

It could be the first, second or third round ... I think you look to see the best player on your board. Backup TE is a need, in my opinion. So, that's why I think it would be a solid move ... But I don't know. So much depends on the free agency signings ... If they sign five players in free agency, they have the luxury of being very selective in the draft ... I think free agency will tell the tale of this off-season ..

I hate to read into anything he says but the fact that he's willing to even acknowledge the potential for major free agency action on their part is a great sign.

I don't think I've ever seen him answer a question quite that way before.