Grade the Draft v. 2011

[ice grillin you]

no

[Diomedes]

caring about the laundry this much = MA to the core

[ice grillin you]

caring how much someone else cares about something you dont care about = curious

[SD]

D


I thought their best pick was Watkins. He was slated to go in that area, but even with that pick you can't get overly excited because of his age and lack of experience. Every other player they took was a big time reach, especially Jarrett. I can't believe they took a freakin kicker with a 4th round pick and a midget at running back. Awful draft and like I said earlier probably the worst draft since the Kotite years.

[Zanshin]

I'm going to grade it as a giant "who the farg knows?" I feel underwhelmed by it, but I guess we'll see how it pans out.

[Don Ho]

Collectively, when was the only time we were happy with a pick/draft?  I can only think of when they stole Pimp and McCoy in back to back years.  Getting Maclin was big.  Other than that? 

[SD]

Most fans were happy with the 2006 draft because Bunkley fell to us and Justice slipped to the 2nd. Then they took Gocong which ruined it for certain other people.

[Zanshin]

Right...and you could make the argument that Gocong was the best draft value of the three. Bunkley has been good, but not great...and Justice didn't live up to expectations. That's why I find it hard to get too worked up about the draft anymore.

[ice grillin you]

i was very happy with the 2009 draft

you dont get much better than a first three of maclin shady and HOF ingram

[Don Ho]

Most fans were happy with the 2006 draft because Bunkley fell to us and Justice slipped to the 2nd. Then they took Gocong which ruined it for certain other people.

True.  I remember how most of us thought Justice was the steal of the draft. 

[Rome]

I was absolutely thrilled with the Bunkley selection. 

[PhillyandBCEagles]

Most fans were happy with the 2006 draft because Bunkley fell to us and Justice slipped to the 2nd. Then they took Gocong which ruined it for certain other people.

True.  I remember how most of us thought Justice was the steal of the draft. 

HAH, I remember being out somewhere in Boston with my then-girlfriend (I had agreed to let her drag me away from the TV after the 1st round but was still wearing my Eagles jersey) and bro-hugged some random dude in an Eagles hat on the street after he stopped me and told me we got Justice in the 2nd round

[ice grillin you]

Bleacher Report

The Eagles did a good job standing pat and addressing needs with the picks they have. That's what they've done here.

Danny Watkins can start at guard or right tackle, and that versatility fits what Philadelphia likes to do on the offensive line.

Jaiquawn Jarrett was a slight reach in Round 2, but his athletic ability and range are exciting. He has a good amount of potential.

Once Ellis Hobbs retired, we marked cornerback as a need for Philadelphia. Marsh is a small-school guy but has the size and speed to play in the NFL.

Grade: A

Mel Kiper

This feels like last year. I look at the Philly board and think, "Well, they got a lot of guys." The Eagles targeted what I considered their three biggest needs with their first three picks. The selection of Watkins surprised some people, as he may have been available even into the early second round, but they may believe he has the capability to stay at tackle. I think he's a guard. Elsewhere, Jarrett provides depth at safety, and Marsh will be asked to step in early at corner. David Akers can't feel too confident about his future in Philly, as Henery was the first kicker off the board. The looming question now is what picks or players will come back if and when the Eagles decide to deal Kevin Kolb."

Eagles may have added two more contributors

Grades: I

If there is someone whose judgment I trust, it's Andy Reid's.

The Eagles closed out the draft by taking Connecticut linebacker Greg Lloyd (6'2'', 259 pounds) with the 34th pick, followed shortly after by USC fullback Stanley Havili (6'0'', 227).

I particularly like Lloyd (more on him later) and Havili should be able to factor in, but still, it's such a hard, hard call to predict if these two will even make the team. While it's easier to grade players before this round, the only way to grade seventh round picks are if they make the team and what level of production teams obtain from them.

So for now, they get incompletes like the rest of the NFC East teams did in the seventh round.

Greg Lloyd, LB, UConn (34th pick)
Numbers: Finished career with 178 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, one interception, two pass breakups.

Yes, that's the son of former Pittsburgh Steeler All-Pro Greg Lloyd Sr. The two are estranged, and the younger Lloyd missed all of last year after tearing the MCL and ACL in his left knee in 2009. Lloyd Jr. said he spent all last year rehabbing. Expect him to compete at linebacker, but find a spot on special teams at first.

Stanley Havili, FB, USC (37th)
Numbers: Had 26 carries for 166 yards rushing, plus 32 catches for 396 yards and 2 TD passes last year.

Havili ran the 40 in 4.7 seconds. His ability reminds some of Leonard Weaver, who was injured last year. The team's website points out in the breakdown of him that he doesn't have the build to be a true lead blocker, but may flourish in the Eagles' West Coast offense. 

Philadelphia Eagles Take Chances Late in Sixth Round
Eagles get undersized linebacker, versatile lineman

Grades: B (Brian Rolle), C- (Jason Kelce)

This late in the draft your picks can become crapshoots in a way.

If the players pan out? Great. That's tremendous. If not? Coaches and general managers don't lose tons of sleep.

On one hand, I think Philadelphia may have found a gem in Ohio State outside linebacker Brian Rolle, but also could have a tossup pick in Cincinnati center Jason Kelce.

Kelce (6'2'',280 pounds) began his career as a walk-on linebacker for the Bearcats and was a two-time second-team All-Big East Conference selection. In 38 starts, he played guard for two years, but then went to center last year. Last year, Cincinnati's offense had a 1,000-yard rusher, and set school records for points scored and touchdowns.

Rolle is a different matter.

His only downfall? His height. Keep in mind, Zach Thomas had to fight the same issue coming out of Texas Tech. I think he had a long and pretty successful career if I remember right.

Rolle (5'9'', 229) had a team-high 76 tackles last year, including 11.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions, four pass breakups, six pass deflections and one quarterback hurry.

Ken Gordon of the Columbus Dispatch does a good job in his profile of Rolle and mentions how linebackers in the past three drafts have had an average size of 6-1, 243 pounds in the first four rounds. Rolle is irritated by the talk, too.

"People who say (size) is an issue, they must not have seen any film," Rolle told Gordon, "because put on Von Miller (the draft's top-rated linebacker, from Texas A&M) and put me on film, and everything he does, I can do just as well. So scouts and coaches - guys who actually watch film and evaluate me - I'm pretty sure they know I can play football."

Andy Reid's one of them. Well done Philly. I think you could have something here with this one.

Domo, B-

The most obvious conclusion that can be drawn from the Eagles' draft this weekend is that they almost certainly are going to be players in whatever passes for free agency this year.

While they attacked their pass-protection problems head-on by selecting Watkins, who is expected to be a Day 1 starter at one of the guard spots, in the first round, they didn't do anything to improve a pass rush that managed just 15 sacks in the last 8 games last season, and they didn't find a starting right corner. At least not for this season.

The 6-0 ½, 197-pound Marsh adds some much needed size and physicality to an undersized corner group. But he's a project. He was a running back until just 2 years ago and started just 16 games at corner at Utah State. At best this season, he's their dime corner and bolsters Bobby April's special teams.

Watkins was a good pick. Obviously, the fact that he's going to be 27 in November means he's going to have a shorter career span than if he were 23. But he's also more mature and should be able to handle the ups and downs of being an NFL rookie better than a younger guy. With his biological clock ticking, he'll also be more focused.

Watkins played left tackle at Baylor, but Eagles offensive line coach Howard Mudd acknowledged that Watkins is built more for guard or center. ``He doesn't really have the arm length and stride length to reduce distance (on the outside),'' Mudd said.

So if the kid is only projected as an interior lineman, you ask, why didn't the Eagles instead draft Wisconsin tackle Gabe Carimi, who went five spots after Watkins to the Bears? Well, it means one of 3 things things: a) they are thinking of moving left guard Todd Herremans out to right tackle and will plug Watkins in at one of the guard spots and Mike McGlynn at the other; b) they think Winston Justice will rebound with a solid season; or c) they think one of their 6-8 backups – King Dunlap or 2010 undrafted free agent Austin Howard – is going to step up and grab the starting right tackle job. My money's on A.

The Eagles went into the draft feeling that if they didn't get a pass-rushing defensive end in the first round, the pickings were going to be slim after that. After Adrian Clayborn went to the Bucs at 20, I wasn't shocked they didn't take a d-end at 23. Cam Heyward and Cam Jordan were both still on the board, but both are better fits as 5-techniques in a 3-4 than an edge-rusher in the Eagles' 4-3 scheme. And they, like every other team, wanted no part of sliding Da'Quan Bowers and his questionable knee in the first round. That said, I thought they would grab a defensive lineman at some point in the draft. But they didn't.

Considering that last year's No. 1 pick, Brandon Graham, still is rehabbing from a torn ACL, and considering Juqua Parker will turn 33 this month, and considering that they've got no reason to believe Victor Abiamiri is going to bounce back from microfracture surgery and not get hurt again, they either have high hopes for CFL import Phillip Hunt, decided to wait until free agency, or think new defensive line coach Jim Washburn can turn water into wine.

I was OK with them taking Temple safety Jaiquawn Jarrett, but not WHERE they took him. The Eagles needed to add depth at safety. Jarrett's a smart kid and a big hitter, which means he can look forward to donating a lot of his salary to the league in fines. He'll help them in run support. But he's an in-the-box safety who they definitely could have gotten in the third round and probably even the fourth. Andy Reid compared Jarrett to Brian Dawkins. As a hitter, maybe. But Jarrett doesn't have the speed to cover slot receivers or seam-splitting tight ends.

Their selection of Henery in Round 4 had spite written all over it. I have no problem with them going out and getting another kicker, particularly a guy who was the most accurate field goal kicker in NCAA history. But like Jarrett, they could've gotten him later. Taking him in the fourth round was their way of sending a message to David Akers and every other player that they don't like people who have the audacity turn down contract offers from them.

With the selections of linebackers Matthews and Lloyd, the Eagles are hoping bloodlines count for something. Matthews doesn't have his brother Clay's explosiveness or natural ability, but is a high-motor guy who's always around the ball. He was excellent value in the fourth round. Same with Lloyd late in the seventh. He tore his ACL and MCL late in the '09 season and struggled last season. If he can bounce back from the injury, he might be able to help the Eagles. If he can't, it didn't cost the Eagles much to find out.

Adam Kaplan, Philadelphia Eagles: B-

Analysis: The Eagles were able to secure at least three future starters with their first three selections. However, selecting a kicker in the fourth round is a bit questionable.

Pete Prisco, B

Best pick: I like the pick of Danny Watkins in the first round. He is a nasty player who will fit in on their offensive line, which needs help.

Questionable move: Using a fourth-round pick on kicker Alex Henery. Anytime you pick a kicker that high, it's a questionable move.

Third-day gem: Fourth-round pick Casey Matthews, Clay's little brother, will help at a position of need. Should be a good special-teams player, as well.

Analysis: The Eagles always seem to do a good job in the draft. This year was no different. The key might be second-round safety Jaiquawn Jarrett.

Todd McShay

The Eagles' selection of Temple safety Jaiquawn Jarrett in the second round was their best move.

Their worst? 120th pick is simply too high for Alex Henery. Yes, he was the No. 1 kicker on our board, but Henery has had some inconsistent stretches in his career, and while he has a monster leg the Eagles would have been better off addressing right offensive tackle, defensive line, tight end, wide receiver or return specialist, then taking someone like Kai Forbath further down the line.

G Cobb

1. 1st round (No.23) Danny Watkins-OG (Baylor): The Eagles top priority is protecting Michael Vick now that he is the face of this franchise. The offensive line's weakest link was right guard and Watkins could probably start from Day 1. The concern about him is he's 26, but that's the only real negative for possibly the best guard available. If Watkins was 22 he'd probably have been a top 15 pick.

2. 2nd round (No.54) Jaiquawn Jarrett-S (Temple): Jarrett was considered a 3rd or 4th round pick by many scouting reports so he must have really been impressive his workout at the NovaCare Complex. He's known for playing the run well, so he should form a good tandem with a ball hawk like Nate Allen.

3. 3rd round (No. 90) Curtis Marsh-CB (Utah St.): The Eagles definitely need a cornerback, but don't expect Marsh to be starting across from Asante Samuel next season. The former running back has a lot of upside, but will need a lot of coaching to reach his potential.

4. 4th round (No. 116) Casey Matthews-LB (Oregon): Casey is not as athletic as last season's Defensive Player of the Year runner up Clay. He makes up for it with a strong work ethic and a high football IQ. Anyone who watched the BCS Championship knows he can play.

5. 4th round (No. 120) Alex Henery-K (Nebraska): Drafting a kicker in the fourth round is equivalent to a quarterback going No. 1 overall. The Eagles know they have to eventually replace David Akers and might as well do it with the most accurate kicker in NCAA history. Henery also punted as a Cornhusker so he could possibly be Sav Rocca's replacement along with Akers.

6. 5th round (No. 149) Dion Lewis-RB (Pittsburgh): Lewis should be an excellent compliment to the guy he replaced at Pitt, LeSean McCoy. He has great vision and help with the passing game. Look for him to be used on 3rd downs.

7. 5th round (No. 161) Julian Vandervelde-OG (Iowa): Vandervelde was a Hawkeye teammate of defensive coordinator Juan Castillo's son, Greg. He started at both left and right guard and has the potential to be a competent backup.

8. 6th round (No. 191) Jason Kelce-C (Cincinnati): At 6'3, 282 lbs Kelce is a bit undersized, but is known for his footwork and toughness. The Eagles track record for draft picks from Cincinnatti (Trent Cole and Brent Celek) isn't too shabby.

9. 6th round (No. 193)Brian Rolle-LB (Ohio St.): Rolle makes up for his size (5'10", 230 lbs) with his athleticism. The Eagles could use him as a passing down LB or have him play safety. Either way, look for Rolle to be very effective on special teams.

10. 7th round (No. 237) Greg Lloyd-LB (Connecticut): The Eagles used their first compensatory pick on the son of former Pittsburgh Steeler Greg Lloyd, St. His draft stock likely dropped because he didn't fully recover from a December 2009 ACL injury as of yet.

Case11. Stanley Havili- RB (USC): Havili should fit well in the Eagles offense due his ability in the passing game. He quite possibly could be used as the third halfback.

Overall, if I had to grade this draft I'd give the Eagles a B+. They didn't draft a stud expected to be a rookie Pro Bowler. But, they addressed multiple needs.

In the first two rounds, Reid selected guys who'll likely start as rookies. The rest of the draft addressed much needed depth and special teams.

[BigEd76]

Schefter had the Eagles among his 6-10 best overall.  He had the Bucs and Lions 1-2...

[Diomedes]

It's good to have all this information in one place.