The Eagles Draft Analysis

Just about everyone likes the Eagles' draft. Even Mel Kiper gave them an A. And this time, I agree with the majority opinion.

The Birds under Andy Reid and Tom Heckert have had some impressive drafts (the 2002 draft has produced four starters including three Pro Bowlers) and some so-so drafts (the 2003 draft has produced L.J. Smith and precious little else, while 2001's top draft pick, Freddie Mitchell, will be leaving town this week... although the fifth-round pick of A.J. Feeley was pure genius). But one thing they deserve credit for is setting themselves up with additional maneuverability in each draft, with additional picks that they roll over from year to year. This year, they had thirteen picks, including four compensatory choices. Next year, they have nine choices right now, and may add a compensatory selection or two. When you keep rolling in young players to compete for jobs in volume (and this is a team that had six undrafted players make the team prior to the 2003 season), you make your team better.

First-round pick Mike Patterson has been dubbed with the "Baby Sapp" moniker, which is probably unfortunate, since it's unfair to label a rookie first-rounder with a less substantial pedigree with such a tag. But Patterson looks like he can play, and the Birds actually have done a decent job at judging D-line talent, from Corey Simon to Sam Rayburn. And since Simon and/or Hollis Thomas will likely be departing, Patterson will be a key player.

I also like Reggie Brown, mostly because he's got some size and strength, two attributes missing from Todd Pinkston (and to a lesser degree, Greg Lewis). Then again, Billy McMullen probably resembles Mr. America, but he can't get on the field at this point. But if the T.O. mess can be resolved, Brown in the slot next to Lewis and Owens would be fun to watch, while Pinkston could fetch everyone water.

Matt McCoy's an undersized linebacker, and the Birds' track record with drafting linebackers (see Barry Gardner and Quinton Caver) under this regime has been less than steller. Then again, Jim Johnson actually compared McCoy to Ike Reese, and if he's eventually as good as Reese was, we got a pretty good deal. On the flip side, the Birds seem to hit with running back picks in the middle rounds. Westbrook was a third rounder and Correll Buckhalter was a fourth rounder, with both providing good results. Ryan Moats might be Westbrook II. Even if he's only close, he'll be worth the pick, although his penchant for fumbling makes me nervous.

As for the rest of the picks, I can only say the following:

1. I have no idea what the nickname of the Saginaw Valley State team is.
2. I'm sorry, Sean Considine looks like he will be a terrific special teams player. But he has a long way to go to earn the right to be called the heir apparent to Brian Dawkins.
3. One of our fifth round picks is nicknamed "Scrap Iron." I think he'll be popular in South Philadelphia.
4. One of our seventh-round picks sang in the a cappella choir at Stanford. I think he'll be popular... at the Kimmell Center.
5. They drafted a six foot, eight inch left tackle in the sixth round. Maybe they should loan him to the Sixers for the playoffs.