Philadelphia Eagles

Overview

Since the season ended the Eagles have shed themselves of a lot of veteran leadership by releasing Brian Westbrook and dealing both Sheldon Brown and Donovan McNabb.  On the surface it would appear that the team is entering a rebuilding phase with the young talent it has stockpiled the past couple of years.

Assets

Kevin Kolb threw for over 300 yards in each of his two starts last season, but he is still very green and has a lot of work to do to lead the Eagles back into the postseason.

In only his second season wide receiver DeSean Jackson has emerged as one of the league’s most explosive play-makers.

In his third season tight end Brent Celek has exploded onto the scene and is on track to catch over 70 passes and score 8 touchdowns this season.

Rookie receiver Jeremy Maclin was pressed into a starting role early after injuries knocked Kevin Curtis out of the lineup.  He could end the year with 50 catches if he recovers enough from a foot injury to play the last two weeks of the season.

Rookie running back LeSean McCoy has shown some flashes of what he can do this season and looks like he will eventually become a quality back in the league.

Fullback Leonard Weaver is arguably the best fullback in the league and gives the Eagles a guy who can move the pile and run between the tackles.  He has also contributed his share of big plays in the passing game with 20 and 59 yard touchdown catches.

Considering all of the injuries it has suffered the offensive line has held up fairly well for the Eagles this season, and Jason Peters was voted to his third consecutive Pro Bowl.

The pass rush still ranks top five in the league in sacks led once again by Trent Cole who reached double digits in sacks for the second time in three seasons.

Asante Samuel is one of the best cover men going in the league.

The defensive line is stout and excels at getting after the quarterback and containing opposing running backs.

Liabilities/Needs

Perhaps the biggest weakness on this team is at linebacker.  The Eagles have been decimated by injuries at the position starting with losing middle linebacker Stewart Bradley to injury in training camp.  It has been so bad that the Eagles brought Jeremiah Trotter, who had not played in two years, out of retirement just for some added depth at the position.

Without Bradley the Eagles do not have any linebackers that make plays.  Bradley was great at blowing up running plays.

The safeties have been good but not great.  Quintin Mikell has been steady but it has been a revolving door with Sean Jones, Quintin Demps, and Macho Harris all taking turns at the other safety spot.

With Sheldon Brown being dealt to the Browns the team needs to find another starting corner back.  Prior to going on IR Ellis Hobbs was consistently getting beaten as the #3 corner and he is not good enough to start.

Finding another three down defensive end to pair with Trent Cole is a need as well.

With starting center Jamaal Jackson suffering a torn ACL in Week 16 the Eagles could be in the market for a Plan B at the position in the event Jackson is not ready to go for the season opener.

Major Changes

Starting quarterback Donovan McNabb was dealt to the Redskins for a second round draft pick in this year’s draft and a pick in next year’s draft.

Brian Westbrook was released making McCoy the starting running back heading into the spring.

Sheldon Brown and Chris Gocong were dealt to the Cleveland Browns for Alex Hall and a draft pick.

Reggie Brown was dealt to the Buccaneers for a draft pick.

Daryl Tapp was acquired from the Seahawks for a draft pick.

Defensive back Marlin Jackson was signed in hopes he can transition to free safety.

Signed running back Mike Bell to a contract to add depth at running back.

Bottom Line

The offense is pretty well set for the next couple of years with budding young stars at the skill positions in Celek, McCoy, Jackson, and Maclin.  The offensive line is still fairly young but could use some depth.  I suspect the Eagles will focus on fortifying the defense in this draft after re-stocking the offense last spring.

Linebacker and the secondary are the two biggest areas of need for the Eagles heading into this year’s draft.  There is no established talent at the outside linebacker spots and Stewart Bradley is coming off a significant knee injury.  While the secondary is now devoid of a starting corner and the free safety position is still a huge question mark.

Missouri’s Sean Weatherspoon has been moving up a lot of draft boards on the heels of his strong workouts at the combine and his pro day.  Weatherspoon is a good all around outside linebacker who tackles well and has the ability to cover tight ends and backs coming out of the backfield.

The team could opt to go for a safety with South Florida’s Nate Allen and USC’s Taylor Mays possibly in the mix here.

Rutgers corner Devin McCourty or Boise corner Kyle Wilson could be options in the first as well.

Florida offensive lineman Maurkice Pouncey is another guy to consider here.  He would potentially give the team some insurance if Jackson is not ready to go by camp and would give them a versatile interior lineman that can play both guard and center.  Reid has an affinity for taking linemen in the early rounds.

Virginia’s Chris Cook (CB) is a potential second round target for Philadelphia.  He would give them a big corner to replace Brown as would Iowa’s Amari Spievey.

Ohio State’s Thaddeus Gibson is a potential second round prospect at OLB.

If the Eagles do not land a safety in the first round then LSU’s Chad Jones could be an option in the 2nd.

Penn State linebacker Sean Lee is a possible second rounder for the Eagles as well.

Northwestern DE Corey Wooton and Michigan defensive back Donovan Warren are potential prospects for Philly with the 70th selection.

Look for the team to target a back with either the 70th or 87th selection.  Tennessee’s Montario Hardesty or USC’s Joe McKnight seem like good bets to go to Philly as a third round pick.

Mississippi’s Greg Hardy is another guy the Eagles could target in the third round.  He has a similar build to Cole and is the type of guy Philly has liked at DE over the years.

Florida’s Jermaine Cunningham or Texas’ Rod Muckleroy are potential third round linebacker prospects Philly could look at as well.

Reid typically likes to grab a running back in the middle rounds and with Westbrook’s long term status with the team up in the air one should not expect this draft to be any different.  Look for the team to target a guy like Auburn’s Ben Tate or Miami’s Javarris James who have shown an ability to catch the ball out of the backfield.