2008 Philadelphia Eagles Team Draft Needs
June 9, 2008
The Eagles gained the fourth-most yards in franchise history and finished with a top-10 defense last year, yet they could only muster up an 8-8 season. They didn’t return a punt or kickoff for a touchdown and finished 24th in red zone efficiency. The coaching staff is intact and the core of a talented team returns for the Eagles 2008 campaign. Donovan McNabb decided to stay, but previous dips into big-money free agents have not turned into the talent the Eagles had hoped for. Expect the team to make a few smarter moves in free agency, and take advantage of what should be a deep draft lot.
2008 Philadelphia Eagles NFL Draft Needs:
1.) Return Specialist
The NFL yielded some electric returners last year, but the Philadelphia Eagles weren’t even in the discussion. Brian Westbrook is by far their best option as a returner, but the Eagles were hesitant to put their best all-around player back there as an injury risk. Their longest punt return was 32 yards and their longest kick return was a mere 35 yards. Bettering their field position would go a long way in making this team a force in the NFC East once again this season. Look for the Eagles to add a return specialist early in the draft.
2.) Defensive Back
Brian Dawkins had a tough season, missing eight games with a neck injury and failing to make the big plays to go with his reputation. He didn’t have a single sack or a forced fumble, and notched just one interception on the season. Dawkins turns 35 next season as well. SS Sean Considine is capable but injury-prone and undersized. The secondary actually was a slight sore spot last season, and the team made only 11 interceptions. Cornerback was no bright spot either. Injury-prone Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown are better at the slot. The team could look to free agency and early in the draft for help here.
3.) Tight End
TE L.J. Smith’s future with the team is unclear. Smith is a free agent and could get the franchise tag. What happens with him will determine how big of a need the TE position is in Philly by Draft Day. Smith suffered through an injury-plagued season, and the team struggled in the red zone because of it. Brent Celek played well as a rookie and could be a starter at some point with some polishing. But the Eagles need an immediate starter to be an impact player here.
4.) Defensive End
Jevon Kearse is done in Philly and Darren Howard could get cut. Trent Cole is a beast who continues to improve, and Juqua Thomas is decent rotation in. But there are no other proven pass rushers who can take pressure and double-teams away from Cole. Victor Abiamiri did little as a rookie last season, although Jim Johnson thinks he can compete t left end and play a spot-duty role. The Eagles should be looking for a sleeper at Defensive End in the later rounds of the 2008 NFL Draft.
5.) Wide Receiver
Fans would place this as a much higher need on the needs list than Andy Reid would. The team likes Kevin Curtis and Reggie Brown, even though the former is too small to be a No. 1 target and the latter appeared to take a step back. Jason Avant and Hank Baskett were lost in the shuffle last season, both of whom were expected to play bigger roles. Typically, rookie receivers have a tough time making an immediate impact in this West Coast offense that requires precision timing routes.
2008 NFL Draft Prospects to fit Offensive Scheme:
Andy Reid and Marty Mornhinweg run a West Coast system that’s traditionally a 60-40 pass-run ratio. But shot passes uses backs, tight ends and receivers as essentially run substitutes. The QB’s must process a lot of info and get rid of the ball quickly. TE Fred Davis of USC and TE Martin Rucker of Missouri proved to be playmakers in the red zone a the college level and could bolster the Eagles’ red zone efficiency this season. WR James Hardy of Indiana and WR Kevin Robinson of Utah State are a couple big targets the Eagles need on the outside catching balls from McNabb. OG Chilo Rachal of USC would fit the offensive line mold in Philly.
2008 NFL Draft Prospects to fit Defensive Scheme:
Jim Johnson never met a blitz he didn’t love. He likes to bring pressure up and down the line and has his DB’s jam receivers and play physical at the line as well. He prefers quicker, gap-shooting linemen and bigger linebackers to attack the gaps with. DE Shawn Crable of Michigan and WLB Robert James of ASU would fit the mold in the front seven. CB-RS Leodis McKelvin of Troy, PR-SS Tom Zbikowski of Notre Dame, SS Kenny Phillips of Miami and SS D.J. Wolfe of Oklahoma are a few names on Draft Day that would improve the Eagles’ returning game and secondary.