FBG Board Consensus 2010 Mock NFL Draft (1 Viewer)

1.01 St. Louis Rams select QB Sam Bradford (83% of the vote)

1.02 Detroit Lions select DT Ndamukong Suh (59% of the vote)

1.03 Tampa Bay Buccaneers select DT Gerald McCoy (85% of the vote)

1.04 Washington Redskins select OT Russell Okung (73% of the vote)

1.05 Kansas City Chiefs select S Eric Berry (41% of the vote)

1.06 Seattle Seahawks select OT Trent Williams (41% of the vote)

1.07 Cleveland Browns select QB Jimmy Clausen (28% of the vote)

1.08 Oakland Raiders select OT Bryan Bulaga (23% of the vote)

1.09 Buffalo Bills select OT Anthony Davis (61% of the vote)

1.10 Jacksonville Jaguars select ILB Rolando McClain (30% of the vote)

1.11 Denver Broncos select DT Dan Williams (38% of the vote)

1.12 Miami Dolphins select WR Dez Bryant (47% of the vote)

1.13 San Francisco 49ers select CB Joe Haden (52% of the vote)

1.14 Seattle Seahawks select RB C.J. Spiller (45% of the vote)

1.15 New York Giants select OLB Sean Weatherspoon (37% of the vote)

1.16 Tennessee Titans select DE Derrick Morgan (46% of the vote)

1.17 San Francisco 49ers select CB/S Earl Thomas (26% of the vote)

1.18 Pittsburgh Steelers select G-OT Mike Iupati (40% of the vote)

1.19 Atlanta Falcons select DE-OLB Jason Pierre-Paul (42% of the vote)

1.20 Houston Texans select RB Ryan Matthews (49% of the vote)

1.21 Cincinnati Bengals select S Taylor Mays (38% of the vote)

1.22 New England Patriots select DE-OLB Sergio Kindle (29% of the vote)

1.23 Green Bay Packers select CB Kyle Wilson (33% of the vote)

Philadelphia Eagles

Positions of Need (as per NFL.com)

OL, S, DL, LB

Needs Analysis: The release of RB Brian Westbrook and OT Shawn Andrews created holes that need to be filled. The trade of QB Donovan McNabb gives them an extra second-round pick to address their needs, but with Kevin Kolb now the starter and Michael Vick still on the roster, the Eagles don't need to pick up another signal-caller. Signing restricted free-agent RB Mike Bell solves part of their running back question, but the draft has to provide relief for the offensive line. The defense slipped in 2009 in the first year under Sean McDermott, but it's not his fault as the Eagles got down to a third middle linebacker and never recovered from the loss of Brian Dawkins. The acquisition of Ernie Sims helps address the LB need, and now the Eagles can focus on a safety, DE or even an interior OL. Look for the Eagles, who also recently traded veteran corner Sheldon Brown to Cleveland, to target at least three to four defensive players in the draft.

I wonder if Pouncey wouldn't be the pick given the knee injury to Jackson.

If this were the scenario, I think the Eagles run the Graham pick to the podium.

http://www.wbir.com/sports/pro_football/st...8&catid=155

Philadelphia Eagles 2010 Draft Preview (Revised)

(Sports Network) - After dealing Donovan McNabb to the Redskins for the No. 37 overall pick on Easter night, the Eagles now own five of the first 87 selections, with a 2009 move-down deal that got them Seattle's 2010 third- rounder (No. 70 overall) also ranking among those picks. Though the focus among fans in Philly will be the direction of the offense, the priority for Eagles brass on Draft day will actually be defense, especially after trading cornerback Sheldon Brown and linebacker Chris Gocong to the Browns on April 2nd. The Birds experienced a revolving door at linebacker last season, lacked safeties who could both tackle and cover, and had limitations within the pass rush as well. If they can get a safety like Taylor Mays (USC) or Earl Thomas (Texas) to become the secondary leader the team missed after Brian Dawkins became a Bronco, Philadelphia would be wise to snatch him up. A corner to fill Brown's shoes is an equally viable option. If quality pass rushing and linebacking candidates aren't added to the roster prior to the end of the third-round, it will be a surprise. Offensively, the biggest need is along the interior line, where guard Shawn Andrews is gone and the team struggled mightily when center Jamaal Jackson went down last season. A quarterback will likely be taken at some point in this draft, though the team knows a veteran free agent like Jeff Garcia would represent better insurance if Kolb (and Michael Vick) fail to establish themselves.

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfceast/post?id=13186

Eagles look to complete overhaul in draft

By Sal Paolantonio

PHILADELPHIA -- For the Philadelphia Eagles, this will forever be known as the Donovan Draft.

The decision to trade franchise quarterback Donovan McNabb to the division rival Washington Redskins on Easter Sunday has given the Eagles 10 draft picks -- seven in the first four rounds, most in the league.

It will be up to head coach Andy Reid and his first-year, 34-year-old general manager Howie Roseman to take those picks and put an exclamation point on an offseason makeover that has seen 12 players from the 2009 roster leave town -- more than any other NFL team.

No matter what the Eagles accomplish in the 75th anniversary NFL draft beginning Thursday night, the prime-time audience will be focused on one storyline: What did Philly get for getting rid of No. 5?

In the actual deal with the Redskins in exchange for McNabb, the Eagles will receive a second-round pick (37th overall) in this draft and either a third- or fourth-round pick next year.

"This is a lot of pressure to put on a 34-year-old general manager who has never pulled the trigger in an NFL draft before," said Rob Ellis, who hosts a popular football call-in show on WIP sports talk radio in Philadelphia. "You’re going to need a lot of rookies from this draft to fill a lot of holes on this team, especially on defense."

Roseman is not rattled, but he knows what is at stake. "With [10] picks," said Roseman, "we want to get more than just a starter or two out of this draft. We’re going to look at taking the best players."

As you can tell, Roseman -- who piloted the McNabb trade from the beginning even when Reid resisted -- does not sound like a man who was feeling the pressure to justify perhaps the gutsiest offseason move of any team in the league. But the boldness of what Roseman did cannot be overstated.

He traded an 11-year veteran quarterback coming off a Pro Bowl season and replaced him with Kevin Kolb, who has only two NFL starts, fewest of any prospective starting quarterback in the league. That’s something his predecessor, Tom Heckert, who was allowed to leave for the Cleveland Browns without any compensation in return, could have not have pulled off.

On Monday, the Eagles also landed former Lions linebacker Ernie Sims in a three-way trade with Detroit and Denver. Philadelphia traded a fifth-round pick (No. 137) in this week's draft to the Broncos, according to the club. The Broncos traded tight end Tony Scheffler and a seventh-round pick to the Detroit Lions. With Monday's three-way deal, the Eagles have now made five trades this off-season -- more than any other team.

"I think I’m a little more aggressive than Tom, just in terms of style," Roseman said, referring to his overall approach. "Tom is a very calm, very composed guy. And I want to do something now. That’s my personality."

Roseman learned that aggressiveness from his mentor, Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum, who shocked last year’s NFL draft by trading up in the first round to select USC quarterback Mark Sanchez. Since Tannenbaum became general manager in 2006, the Jets have acquired eight different players who have represented the team in the Pro Bowl -- more than any other team in the league, according to Elias Sports Bureau. And last year, the Jets earned a trip to the AFC Championship game.

Roseman is trying to duplicate Tannenbaum’s career path. Both went to law school. Both mastered the arcane NFL salary cap. Both learned to scout players from two of the best -- Tannenbaum from Bill Parcells, Roseman from Reid.

Now, Roseman has a chance to grab the spotlight. With 10 picks, including two in the second round, two in the third and two in the fourth, the Eagles can do what they want in the first round, where they currently pick 24th.

And, according to a number of league sources, Roseman has been snooping around to see what it would take to move up in the first round, perhaps into the top 10, to add a blue-chip defensive prospect, perhaps Tennessee safety Eric Berry, who was the only top-10 player in this draft to visit the Eagles at their Novacare practice facility.

In other words, he would be doing something "aggressive" -- to justify trading McNabb and help fix the Eagles' defense.

But to get Berry, the Eagles might have to mortgage the mother lode of what Roseman has collected this offseason. It may be too much for the rest of the organization, specifically Reid, to stomach.

However, the Eagles desperately need an impact player on defense, especially on the back end. Last season, under first-year defensive coordinator Sean McDermott, Philadelphia surrendered 15 touchdown passes off the blitz -- most in the league. Under McDermott’s late predecessor, Jim Johnson, the Eagles never gave up more than seven TD passes off the blitz in a single season.

The Eagles finished 19th in the league in points allowed in 2009 -- the worst ranking of the Reid era in Philly. But McDermott was not necessarily the problem -- he blitzed on 41 percent of the called pass plays in 2009. In 2008, under Johnson, that number was 42 percent.

The secondary simply could not carry out the plan. Right cornerback Sheldon Brown, hampered by injuries, was often ineffective in coverage. He was traded to Cleveland. And Pro Bowl free safety Brian Dawkins, now with the Denver Broncos, was never adequately replaced.

This year, free agent Marlin Jackson -- allowed to walk by the Indianapolis Colts because he’s battling back from two knee surgeries – might not be the answer at free safety, either.

That leaves a big hole on a defense that is predicated on the blitz in a league that is driven by the passing game. With more and more teams spreading the formation, a big-time free safety is no longer a luxury -- even if it’s a rookie.

According to multiple league sources, here is what the Eagles are thinking:

Option No. 1: Go for broke by trying to trade into the top 10 and select Berry. Possible trade partner: the Kansas City Chiefs at No. 5. Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli is said to be interested in moving down. But to move from No. 24 to No. 5 will take multiple picks, including the 2010 selection the Eagles acquired from the Redskins in the McNabb deal, No. 37.

And Roseman might not want to make that deal.

"I like the idea of having the fifth pick in the draft on Day 2," he said. Indeed, after the close of business on Thursday night, the Eagles can put a "for sale" sign on that 37th pick and fetch a hefty price from a team desperate to move up in the second round on Friday.

"There is no way I would give up that 37th pick -- it will be like gold on Friday," said one AFC front office executive. "They could set themselves up nicely -- take a terrific player in a deep draft, recoup picks, or trade it for a first rounder in 2011. It’s a great position to be in. Unless they can get Berry, they should not trade that pick."

Option No. 2: Trade with the Miami Dolphins at No. 12, where Berry is most likely already gone. That might be more doable. There, the Eagles could select free safety Earl Thomas of Texas -- a nice consolation prize to Berry. But would he be enough to justify what it would take to get him?

Option No. 3: Move up just a few spots and take a top cornerback who could compete with veteran Ellis Hobbs (coming back from neck surgery) at the open right corner spot.

Boise State cornerback Kyle Wilson, who is represented by Joel Segal, Michael Vick’s agent, was targeted early by the Eagles coaching staff. With McDermott in attendance, the Eagles conducted Wilson’s pro day workout on campus.

Newly hired defensive backs coach **** Jauron was at the pro day for cornerback Devin McCourty at Rutgers University. McCourty is considered the second cornerback prospect behind Joe Haden of Florida, and the Eagles like players from New Brunswick, N.J.

But will sitting back be enough to satisfy the expectations created by trading McNabb?

"This is the second-most important draft Andy Reid has had since he took McNabb back in ’99, his first year," said Ellis. "This team is under a lot of pressure to get this right."

My vote went for Pouncey. I do not think they would make that pick. I believe they will be trying to move up for Kyle Wilson or Earl Thomas. If they can not move up I could see them moving down some and drafting Kareem Jackson CB Alabama. Some team might be looking to move up for a QB around their pick. Maybe Claussen falls or McCoy impresses some one. I could see where Bradford can't get a deal done with St Louis so the Rams take Suh then give the Eagles pick #33 and a third and next years 2nd to get McCoy.

Tie between the top 2 choice -- I need a few more votes from Eagles fans and draftniks before we can close this to move on to the next selection!

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/2010..._at_safety.html

Eagles have pressing need at safety

By Jeff McLane

Inquirer Staff Writer

The answer to why the Eagles will or won't trade up to draft either Eric Berry or Earl Thomas is essentially the same: In a matter of six months last year, the Eagles went from a Hall of Fame-caliber free safety to a rookie who hadn't ever played the position.

That fact - and the subsequent results - would suggest doing whatever it takes to get one of the two bona-fide stud safeties in this year's draft.

But the Eagles, who have never drafted a safety in the first round under coach Andy Reid, may not see the value of expending so much for a position they devalue.

The Eagles didn't exactly draft Macho Harris last April thinking that the Virginia Tech cornerback would replace Brian Dawkins, who left for Denver via free agency. But they did believe that homegrown Quintin Demps or free agent signee Sean Jones could do the job.

When neither Demps nor Jones could nail down the spot during training camp and Harris beat out the pair before the season opener, there must have been a few snickers from the Dawkins camp.

In all fairness, Dawkins' cover skills - a discipline paramount in the Eagles' defensive scheme - had slipped. But he could still handle most of the position's other responsibilities, and the 36-year-old reached his eighth Pro Bowl - as a Bronco. The Eagles, on the other hand, missed Dawkins' consistency, not to mention his leadership.

In an era when NFL safeties are required to be more versatile than ever, the Eagles' free safeties were not. Harris was sufficient in coverage but too slight to play inside the box. Jones could tackle at the line but was too slow to run with the receivers. And the enigmatic Demps, more multifaceted than the other two, was often injured.

Those limitations had a domino effect, stifling strong safety Quintin Mikell, who therefore couldn't freelance, and in turn, the rest of a floundering defense. It's no wonder there have been rumblings about the Eagles' packaging their first two picks - Nos. 24 and 37 overall - to get either Berry or Thomas during Thursday's first round.

"Those guys are very versatile," Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said. "In this day and age, with the way that safeties are playing, you line up in your base defense, and they can come in and cover the slot receiver, and they give you a lot of flexibility to do both those things."

It is not like the Eagles to broadcast their innermost thoughts, so Roseman's praise of Berry and Thomas should be taken with that in mind. The GM certainly likes the Tennessee and Texas products, and he had Berry in for a workout. But they'll cost a lot when there is a number of solid safeties a little further down the board.

The Eagles could also simply select a cornerback later in the draft and convert him into a safety, as they did with Harris. They signed Marlin Jackson, a former corner with the Colts, as a free agent this off-season with the hopes that he would return from an October ACL tear and compete for the free safety position.

Because the Eagles blitz so often, their strong and free safeties - essentially interchangeable - have to be able to cover more than anything. And with many offenses leaning more on the pass, the safeties may have to line up opposite a No. 3 receiver, a tight end, and a running back all in one series.

But they still have to be able to give run support, and they still have to occasionally rush the passer.

"We've seen the evolution of the safety position to be one of the most important positions on the field," ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski said. "Old school used to be take an old corner who has lost some speed and put him at safety. That is not true anymore. It is now a specific talent that you have to have."

The Eagles are probably more old school than new school. Roseman equated the team's philosophy to its habit of drafting college tackles and moving them to guard.

"If you have a guy that's a really good tackler as a corner and shows good ball skills, he's got a chance" to move to safety, Roseman said.

There was talk that Sheldon Brown would eventually be moved to safety. But when Roseman traded the veteran cornerback to Cleveland this month, he said Brown didn't want to make the switch.

One of the problems with converting a corner into a safety is that you can lose a physical presence. Berry and Thomas are considered elite prospects because they seemingly come without a weakness. They both can run (sub-4.5 40-yard dashes), have decent size (Berry is 6-foot, 211; Thomas is 5-10, 208), and are instinctive.

Even though Berry is rated higher and could go in the top five, draft analyst Mike Mayock likes Thomas better.

"In my opinion, Earl Thomas is the most instinctive free safety that I've seen on tape in five or six years," Mayock said. "He's a playmaker. He's got loose hips. He's got the best range of any center-fielder I've seen coming out of college football in a long time."

Some teams are just as keen on Thomas, which may explain why he's moved up various mock draft boards out of the reach of the Eagles. The Eagles could trade up if they see last season's downgrade as an imperative to upgrade. Or they could use their top picks to address a host of other needs.

If the Eagles don't use their first-round pick on a safety, they could get a capable one in rounds two or three. Southern Cal's Taylor Mays' deficiencies in pass coverage may turn off the Eagles, but he is slipping and could be had at No. 37.

If Mays doesn't fit, South Florida's Nate Allen, Georgia Tech's Morgan Burnett, or LSU's Chad Jones could be available to fill a hole without costing as much as Berry or Thomas.

With the 1.24 pick in the 2010 FBG Consensus Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles select DE-OLB Brandon Graham