Post Draft Review

Reporting to you live from my desk at work, it's the Eagles post draft coverage. It was surprising to me anyway, that Lito Sheppard was still an Eagle Sunday night. I was pleased with the Eagles draft picks, and moves. So, let's get down and dirty shall we?

Round 1. 19th over all pick was traded to the Panthers in return for their fist round pick next year. Barring any NFL infractions the Birds should have two first round picks in the 2009 NFL Draft. Sounds good to me. Depending on the outcome of the upcoming season this could provide a plethora of options.

Round 2. Traded the 43rd pick to Minnesota, then took Trevor Laws (47th) and Desean Jackson (49th). Adding another defensive tackle to our rotation is a good idea. Even if Laws doesn't make an immediate impact, at least it will keep fresh legs on the field. Picking DeSean Jackson wasn't a bad move. He should make an immediate impact on special teams as a return man. Which is an area that we have needed some help in for some time now, and as far as being a receiver he can be a play maker. According to most analysts Jackson could see some time as a slot receiver. We could still use an outside threat though.

Round 3. We picked up defensive end Bryan Smith out of McNeese State. I don't really know much about him, but his player bio seems promising. He could assume that Joker Position in Jim Johnson's defense that belonged to Kearse previously.

Round 4. We picked up a couple of guys in the fourth round. Offensive tackle Mike McGlynn from Pitt. A possible replacement for Winston Justice? Then we traded the 115th overall pick to Miami for 2nde year running back Lorenzo Booker. Booker is a Westbrook type back out of Florida State. This create some competition in camp for Ryan Moats. The Eagles addressed a the eventual replacement of "Weapon X" by drafting Quentin Demps out of UTEP. I liked Kenny Phillips out of Miami, but Demps appears to be a great competitor. In 2007 he led the NCAA in interceptions with 17. We bolstered our second staff with corner back Jack Ikegwuonufrom Wisconsin. Reading this guys bio, makes wonder what was going through their heads when drafting him.

Round 5. We traded away the 152 pick to Minnesota.

Round 6. Eagles picked up guard Mike Gibson out of Cal. Beefing up the offensive line is always a good decision. You can never have too many hog mollies. Am I wrong? Then we traded the 191st pick, and added linebackers Joe Mays and Andy Studebaker. Mays is consider to be a heavy hitter, and Studebaker a sack machine. Adding guys like always seems to be a good idea.

Round 7. Birds traded 224th pick to Buffalo, and added offensive tackle King Dunlap with the 230th pick.

So, with the draft finally wrapped up, I feel that that Eagles did a solid job, and didn't waste anything. They addressed the secondary, and bolstered the offensive and front seven on defense. Lito Sheppard is still an Eagle for now, but who knows what will happen between now, and camp. I give this draft a B. What are your thoughts?