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2009 NFL Mock Draft: Philadelphia Eagles

Written April 17, 2009 by Black Widow

philadelphia-eagles-mock-draft-04172009 The Eagles were faced with some big decisions to make this offseason on free agents Tra Thomas, Jon Runyan, and Brian Dawkins and also QB Donovan McNabb, who is scheduled to make $10 million for each of the next two seasons. Philly let Thomas and Dawkins go to the Jaguars and Broncos, respectively, and have yet to re-sign Runyan who has been a staple at center on the offensive line. Eagles president Joe Banner said the team will keep McNabb and head coach Andy Reed after the season, and that McNabb would likely get an extension. Losing in the NFC Championship game shows this team isn’t far from a Super Bowl, so it will be curious to see if the Eagles keep their veteran corps intact. With two first-round picks (they picked up Carolina’s No. 1 on Draft Day in 2008 with the Jeff Otah trade), the Eagles will be an interesting team to watch. Bleed Eagles Green has their own list of Philly’s 2009 draft needs, but here are the top five positions I think the Eagles need to address this season:

1.) Offensive Linemen – With Thomas gone and Runyan a free agent and ORG Shawn Andrews coming off a serious back procedure, the line needs reinforcement. Signing T Stacy Andrews from Cincinnati will help. The club tried to address this area with three picks last year, but those picks includes sixth- and seventh-rounders, and all three ended the season on injured reserve and showed little before then. Andrews, if healthy, could move to right tackle, and the Eagles will need someone to take Thomas’ place on the left side. Good Fits in ‘09 Draft Class: OL Andre Smith (Alabama), OT Ramon Foster (Tennessee).

2.) Running Back - Andy Reid will always be a pass-first coach, but it was clear that the team wasn’t the same when Brian Westbrook was injured. The Eagles really struggled in short-yardage situations, even with Westbrook, and could use a bigger back to add to the mix. Correll Buckhalter has left for Denver through free agency, so finding a replacement for him will be a necessity. The Eagles can look at the Cowboys and Giants to see how important having depth at running back really is. Good Fits in ‘09 Draft Class: RB Jeremiah Johnson (Oregon), RB Marlon Lucky (Nebraska).

3.) Tight End - The Eagles franchised L.J. Smith last season, gambling that he would return to form or even improve. It did not pay off, and Smith is now gone to the Baltimore Ravens. Brent Celek is an emerging pass catcher, but the team needs another option here. Philly has several reasons for a sporadic run game, but the tight ends are not mentioned enough. Good Fits in ‘09 Draft Class: TE Cornelius Ingram (Florida).

4.) Wide Receiver – DeSean Jackson injected much-needed speed into this group, but more punch is needed. There is only one big receiver, Hank Baskett, and Philly could use more size for jump balls to alleviate some of their red-zone woes. Finding a true split end could allow Jackson to work more in the slot, where he’d be a very dangerous weapon. Greg Lewis, Jason Avant and Reggie Brown are all No. 3 types and not difference-makers. Good Fits in ‘09 Draft Class: WR Percy Harvin (Florida).

5.) Free Safety – With Dawkins gone, the Eagles certainly need a young safety to add to the mix. Quintin Demps showed great potential as a kick returner as a rookie, but it’s not clear if he’ll become more than just a sub package defender. Of course, people said that of Quintin Mikeell, but it wouldn’t hurt to find another body here, especially with Dawkins gone. Good Fits in ‘09 Draft Class: FS Rashad Johnson (Alabama), S Courtney Green (Rutgers).

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2 Comments

Comments

2 Responses to “2009 NFL Mock Draft: Philadelphia Eagles”

Harry on April 17th, 2009 2:26 pm

Signing of pending left tackle from Buffalo mixes up everything. Knowshon at RB is a really good fit in the first as well as Pettigrew

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Jimbo on April 19th, 2009 12:51 pm

Runyon will likely be surprised that he was “a staple at center on the offensive line”

That level of background certainly reduces the credibility of any draft predictions.

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