Eagles war room invades Radio City music hall, suspect hidden WMD's

The Eagles are in the first of what I hope will be only a few years spent rebuilding the franchise. Reid and Co. have booted the old guard, and the baby birds have some glaring needs to address before they can expect to be playoff contenders again. This draft and next are crucial in recruiting new talent if the Eagles want to return to prominence in the near future.

I didn't follow any of Eagles draftees during their NCAA careers, so I can't really judge how they'll fare in the NFL. From what the professional sports news industry is saying, some of the Eagles picks have potential. I've already posted about Graham, Nate Allen, and the dude with the really long last name. Later in this post I collect opinions from across the web on each draftee to get some clue what we're dealing with here.

Of the Eagles later round picks, I'm excited about the DE Ricky Sapp, who most people agree was a steal, and the QB Kafka, mainly for his name.

Mel Kiper, ESPN's NFL draft guru, thinks that the Eagles draft was worth a B+. Pretty high praise from him- it was the third highest grade he handed out. He thought they had the best draft of the NFC east teams. Here are his full comments:
"The Eagles were positioned well to take advantage of a deep draft, and they did, piling up seven productive picks between the third and fifth rounds. But Philly started well too. In Brandon Graham they have a potential Rookie of the Year on defense. They filled a need at safety with Nate Allen, and I like Trevard Lindley in the fourth. He has second-round ability. Ricky Sapp may be a tweener, but getting a guy who can get to the quarterback like he can in the fifth round is good value. He could be a solid situational pass-rusher early in his career. Riley Cooper is quicker than many people think to go with above-average size. "

Chris Steuber from Scout.com also had praise for the Eagle's draft:
The Eagles were loaded and ready to make a splash in this year’s draft, and when they traded up from No. 24 to No. 13, it appeared that they were angling to get Texas safety Earl Thomas. But instead, they improved their pass rush with Michigan DE Brandon Graham. Graham is undersized, but is an explosive pass rusher that will complement Trent Cole very well on the defensive line. In the second round, the Eagles got their safety in South Florida’s Nate Allen, who will compete for the starting free safety position in training camp. The biggest surprise of the Eagles draft was third round pick Daniel Te’o-Nesheim from Washington. A tweener on defense who can play inside or outside on the D-Line, Te’o-Nesheim was considered to be a late round prospect. One player that fans in Philadelphia should keep an eye on is Missouri State tight end Clay Harbor. He’s a solid all around tight end who possesses great speed and hands and is a very good blocker. At the end of the day, the Eagles made 13 selections and added some interesting names in the late rounds: Clemson DE/OLB Ricky Sapp (5th round), Florida WR Riley Cooper (5th round), LSU RB Charles Scott (6th round), Mississippi State MLB Jamar Chaney (7th round) and Georgia DT Jeff Owens (7th round).

Draft Grade: A-

So, as you see, smarter people than me think the Eagles had themselves a fine draft. I hope they're right, because I have some concerns:
1) I think the Eagles traded down too much and gave up opportunities to grab consensus impact players earlier in the draft. I think they should have been trading up the entire time, not trading down to collect more late picks. The eagles don't need depth on their team, they need talent.

2) Though I love the guy's name and he sounds like he'll make a good NFL QB, I felt the Eagles wasted a pick grabbing The Metamorphosis. We have a young QB in Kolb; we need help on defense.

3) I don't understand why we drafted so many defensive ends, especially when we used the 13th pick of the draft on one. When you use the 13th pick, shouldn't you expect that the player will be the future at his position? The 13th pick should be a pretty sure bet and shouldn't require insurance.

4) The Eagles didn't draft a single offensive lineman, even though their starting center destroyed his knee at the end of the season.

That's a cornucopia of concerns, indeed. So far I've only found two answers-

Gregg Easterbrook, better known as TMQ, takes a hack at concern #1. He thinks that there's no way to predict how a draft pick will pan out, so the more picks, the better your chances of finding talent:
"If NFL choices are essentially lottery tickets, then the more held, the better your odds. In recent drafts, Denver, New England and Philadelphia have pursued multiple trade-downs to add picks -- that is, buy more tickets.... Saturday, the Broncos traded a fifth-round selection for two seventh-round choices -- two lottery tickets are better than one, especially if you are honest and admit to yourself you have no way of knowing who "should" be in the fifth round in the first place. Philadelphia traded down so many times it ended up with 13 selections, almost twice the league average, including four picks in the fourth round. Would you rather have four fourth-round choices or one first-round pick? Four lottery tickets are better than one."

Dave Spadaro from philadelphiaeagles.com addressed concern #4:
"Why no offensive linemen? The Eagles will sign some in the post-draft period, and they just didn't think there were any difference makers after the early part of the draft. They truly think Stacy Andrews is going to blossom in 2010 and that Nick Cole and -- here is a surprise name -- Mike McGlynn are going to have a very good battle for the starting center job. Jamaal Jackson continues his rehab from the knee injury."

I hold out hope that the Eagles know more about football than me, and that this is the greatest draft in NFL history. At any rate, it's always exciting to watch new players develop.

Speaking of all the new Eagles players, a full breakdown of every Eagles pick with scouting reports is here after the jump.


Here are the Eagles draft picks after the third round:

Round 4
Trevard Lindley CB
-Picked 2 rounds early, according to Todd McShay, but did score high on his initial DB rankings.

-Fox Sports also criticised the pick:
Value, value, value. Philly overpaid for a banged-up backup nickel back. When healthy, Lindley was a whale of a college cornerback with the talent and ability to play at a high level in the SEC. However, he’s extremely thin, isn’t durable, isn’t fast and isn’t big enough to be physical against the run.


-From ESPN draft tracker:
What he brings: Lindley plays with confidence and has the potential to become a playmaker in coverage, but he has below-average top-end speed and has had issues staying healthy. In addition, he doesn't offer much in run support.
How he fits: Asante Samuel is one of the elite corners in the league, and this is an interesting pick given that Lindley is more likely to be a nickel/slot corner than a true outside corner. The Eagles already have a number of similar types. He will have to improve in run support to see the field any time soon.

-ESPN.com scouting report: 
Cornerback Specific Traits

Fluidity	2	Opens hips well when asked to line up in press coverage. Moves well in space and long arms allow him to get hands on balls even when isn't in great position. However, he doesn't sink hips low enough and/or explode off his plant foot when forced to change directions quickly so he has some problems staying with receivers coming out of breaks.
Closing Burst	3	Above-average but not elite closing burst and needs to do a better job of planting off his back foot when transitioning out of his backpedal. Lacks recovery speed.
Ball Skills	3	Looks to strip/punch the ball when he gets to the ball carrier. Flashes the ability to snatch the ball out of the air but also drops some passes he should catch. Doesn't always time jumps well and can get caught out of position trying to make a play on the ball.
Instincts/Mental Toughness	2	Appears confident and comfortable lining up against the opposition's best receiver (see: 2009 matchup vs. Alabama WR Julio Jones). Reads the quarterback's eyes and can get a good jump on the ball when facing the line of scrimmage, but he needs to do a better job of getting head turned in time to locate the ball when asked to turn and run with receivers.
Run Support	2	A willing run defender who fights though blocks and is relentless in pursuit. Does an adequate job of wrapping up but doesn't always square up to the ball carrier and could get run over by NFL power backs.

1 = Exceptional2 = Above average3 = Average4 = Below average5 = Marginal

From SI.com scouting:
Positives: Solid cover cornerback with good underlying skills. Displays excellent route recognition, has opposing quarterbacks throwing away from him and works hard to make plays. Willingly come up the field to defend screen passes or running plays. Physical, and battles receivers throughout the action. Displays a nice move to the ball and very effective facing the action.

Negatives: Struggled with injuries the past two years. Does not display a quick or fluid backpedal. Marginal quickness in his game. Lacks the great burst to the ball.

Analysis: Early in his college career, Lindley looked like a big-time NFL prospect, but his game has leveled out the past two seasons. Likely best in a zone system, he's a mid-to-late round choice who could surprise at the next level if he gets his game back on track.

Projection: 6th 

-Here's how Spuds from the Eagles sees the player working out:
A cornerback who was rated a lot higher after his junior season at Kentucky, Lindley is going to jump right into the competition on the right side. Ellis Hobbs is the starter on the imaginary depth chart now, although Hobbs may not practice this week after missing half of last season with the cervical injury. Hobbs has been a regular at the conditioning program at the NovaCare Complex and wants the chance to prove himself as a starter.

Joselio Hanson, Dimitri Patterson and Geoff Pope are also in the mix there, and so is Lindley. He'll get a crash course in practice working against standout receivers like DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin and Jason Avant. We will get a sense of Lindley's physical skills in this camp.

It may be asking a lot to expect Lindley to start as a rookie, but the Eagles always say they don't draft players to be backups. How quickly Lindley develops will dictate his ceiling here. The chance to play is there. Will Lindley be ready so early in his career?


Keenan Clayton OLB
-This guy might've gone a little early. Or, a lot early. He graded only 32 out of 100 points on Todd McShay's rankings. Chances are that he'll play DE, not LB.

-ESPN didn't have a scouting report for this fella. SI.com says:
Positives: Athletic weak-side linebacker prospect who plays with quickness, explosion, and speed. Gets depth on pass drops, quickly changes direction and covers a lot of area on the field. Explodes to the action with a burst of speed, plays with a large degree of suddenness, and flashes on the scene. Uses his hands to protect himself, quickly recovers off the initial block, and is a solid open-field tackler. Effective in coverage and shows ability in pursuit. Fast enough to cut the corners off for ball-carriers.

Negatives: Struggles getting off blocks once engaged the point. Really does not show much force on the blitz.

Analysis: Clayton is an athletic prospect who makes plays sideline to sideline and shows a lot of skill in space. His size will limit him to certain schemes, yet he can be very effective as a starting weak-side linebacker.

Projection: 4-5


-Here's how Spuds from the Eagles sees the player working out:
The Eagles really like Clayton, who joins a crowded group at WILL linebacker that includes newly-acquired Ernie Sims, Akeem Jordan and even Omar Gaither. Sims, Jordan and Gaither are on one-year contracts, which is why the Eagles want to make sure they are covered at linebacker for the near future, just in case.

Figure that Clayton will have a very tough time earning playing time, unless he shows Bobby April that he can cut it and become a help on special teams. Clayton has to come in and fly around the football and be aggressive and cover backs in the passing game.

Mike Kafka QB
-Todd McShay named Kafka one of his 5 most intriguing late round picks, whatever that means.

-From ESPN.com draft tracker:
What he brings: Kafka doesn't have the strongest arm and is trying to make the transition from a spread shotgun offense to a pro-style scheme. On the other hand, he has the pocket mobility, size and accuracy to develop into an effective backup and possibly start in a West Coast scheme down the road.
How he fits: The Eagles certainly entered the draft needing another quarterback. With the departure of Donovan McNabb, Kevin Kolb and Michael Vick were the only quarterbacks remaining. Kafka will be a good fit in this West Coast-style offense. His good footwork and accuracy on the move will allow him to overcome any shortcoming in pure arm strength.

-From Matt Mosley, ESPN.com:
"I think Kafka is one of the most intriguing players in this draft. He only started for one year at Northwestern, so no one knows where his career's headed. But he's tall enough (6-3) and has the mobility to make plays on the run. He's a little too inaccurate for me, but he has the tools to really improve in that area.

I just think he's a cerebral player who could manage a game in a pinch. He'll eventually be a serviceable No. 2 quarterback, and there's no shame in that. If he's more than that, the Eagles could flip him for a draft pick down the road. Andy Reid learned from the great Ron Wolf about taking talented quarterbacks in the draft."

-ESPN.com's scouting report:

Overall Football Traits

Production	3	2005: Redshirt. 2006: (5/4) 55 for 96 (57 pct), 494 yards, 1 TD, 5 INT; 48 carries, 263 yards (5.5 avg), 2 TD. 2007: (2/0) 2 for 3 (66.7 pct), 11 yards; 2 carries, 8 yards. 2008: (8/2) 32 for 46 (69.6 pct), 330 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT; 68 carries, 321 yards (4.7 avg), 1 TD. 2009: (13/12) 319 for 492 (64.8 pct), 3,430 yards, 16 TD, 12 INT; 150 carries, 295 yards, 8 TD; Second team All-Big Ten.
Height-Weight-Speed	3	Possesses good height with adequate bulk for his frame. Top-end speed is marginal but he appears a bit faster on film.
Durability	3	Missed three games during the 2006 season with a hamstring injury. Suffered a leg injury during the second quarter of the Penn State contest this fall and was forced to sit out the following week against Iowa.
Intangibles	2	Displayed the mental toughness and work ethic to come back for a strong senior season after struggling and being replaced early in career.

1 = Exceptional2 = Above average3 = Average4 = Below average5 = Marginal

Quarterback Specific Traits

Mental Markup	3	A confident leader and overall competitor. However, can get overconfident trying to fit ball into tight windows which can result interceptions. Needs to develop more of a sense of ball security. Tough and displays ability to hang in the pocket while absorbing hit. Comes from shot gun spread offense and will need development working under center and going through progressions in a pro-style system. Too his credit appears to be a very cerebral quarterback and made strides throughout the week during the East/West Shrine All-Star game this past January. Displays a good internal clock and has a natural feel in the pocket. Does a good job of keeping eyes down field when improvising.
Accuracy	2	Vast improvements with accuracy halfway through 2009 season thus far. Throws with good timing and touch. Displays capabilities to take something of throws and change trajectories when throwing intermediate crossing routes. Above-average accuracy when t
Release	4	Possesses a ¾ release. Balls come off hand clean and quickly when pulling the trigger. Is going to need development in drops working from under center. Just average height and lower release point makes him susceptible to batted balls at the next level.
Arm Strength	4	Has the capability to make most NFL throws. Puts good zip on short-to-intermediate passes. Relies on anticipation when throws get farther down the field. Ball can hang in the air too long when throwing deep seam or go routes to the outside. Does not possess elite arm strength to consistently deliver strike when throwing off of back foot.
Mobility	2	Displays good pocket presence and can slide to avoid rush while creating throwing lanes. Sneaky and can break contain and buy more time when protection breaks down. Shows ability to move the chains with feet but won't break many long runs at the next level.

1 = Exceptional2 = Above average3 = Average4 = Below average5 = Marginal

-SI.com scouting:
Positives: Adequately size signal caller best in the short passing game. Patient in the pocket, displays terrific field awareness, and remains poised under the rush. Possesses a quick release, immediately gets the ball out of his hands, and very accurate in the short field. Looks away from covered receivers, goes through progressions, and takes the safe underneath outlet if nothing else is available. Terrific sense of knowing where his receivers are on the field. Puts touch on throws when necessary, effectively places the ball into receivers? hands, and displays terrific pass placement inside of 20 yards. Tough, senses the blitz then stands in and takes a hit in order to get the pass away. Does not force the ball into coverage and for the most part makes good decisions.

Negatives: Lacks great pocket stature. Cannot drive the deep pass. Falls out of throws at times.

Analysis: Kraft did a terrific job last season when he stepped underneath center on a full-time basis. He's a terrific timing passer who would be a good addition to a West Coast offense.

Projection: 5th

-Here's how Spuds from the Eagles sees the player working out: 
He has a chance to learn from Kevin Kolb and Michael Vick, and at the same time Kafka has to come in and make all the throws because the Eagles are likely to add a fourth quarterback in the post-draft period. Kafka is in a good situation as the No. 3 quarterback. He will get some reps in practice and then in training camp and in the preseason.

Next year is when Kafka must be advanced enough to convince the coaches that he can back up Kolb, because Vick is likely to leave for more playing time after 2010 if all goes according to plan.

Kafka is a developmental quarterback. Let's see how far quarterbacks coach James Urban brings Kafka in a year's time.  
 
Clay Harbor TE 
-Seems to be a pass-catching TE. Don't we have one of those already? Also, does this pick mean Ingram is not recovered from his injury last season?

-ESPN.com's draft tracker commentary:
What he brings: Harbor is a small-school prospect, so there are concerns about the competition he faced at the college level. He may have eased those concerns by showing well against Arkansas during the season, as well as the Shrine Game in the postseason. While he doesn't have elite bulk or the frame to get much bigger, he has excellent strength for his size and can become an adequate blocker. He is at best as a short-to-intermediate receiver.
How he fits: Although the Eagles have a very good tight end in Brent Celek, second-year player Cornelius Ingram is a certain question mark. Martin Rucker is not a receiving threat, so Harbor will have a chance to use his receiving skills and toughness to become a viable target in the passing game.

-ESPN.com's scouting report:

Tight End Specific Traits

Separation Skills	2	Fires off the line of scrimmage with good burst. Gets in and out of cuts quickly. Shows some savvy as a route runner, using double moves and subtle head fakes to separate from man-coverage. Can still improve at finding soft spots in zone and finding passing window for his quarterback.
Separation Skills	2	Needs to attack the ball more consistently in traffic. Hand-span is adequate (9 ½') but he displays soft hands and very good focus. Can pluck on the run and can catch over his head. Great body control along sidelines.
Ball Skills	2	Shorter than most TE/H-backs and is not a big target for jump balls. However, he has the initial burst and top-end speed to stretch the seam. He tracks the ball well over his shoulder. Also shows some quickness and surprising wiggle after the catch.
Competitiveness/Toughness	3	Gets pushed around at times as a route runner. Not afraid to catch in traffic but there are times when he should be more aggressive going after the football. He does compete hard after the catch and as a blocker.
Blocking	4	Marginal size will limit his in-line blocking ability. Is usually overmatched physically at the point of attack; lacks the size and core strength to sustain. To his credit he doesn't back down very often. Flashes some initial pop and a mean streak. Needs to make better use of hands as a blocker. Leads with his shoulder too often and doesn't show consistent ability to lock on and sustain.

1 = Exceptional2 = Above average3 = Average4 = Below average5 = Marginal

-SI.com scouting:
Positives: An athletic pass catching tight end with reliable hands, He plays with good knee bend, effectively works his hands to get off jams at the line of scrimmage and displays the ability to create mismatches in the secondary. He uses his frame to box out defenders, extends his hands and makes the reception away from his body. He runs relatively sharp routes, displays good eye/hand coordination, and he is very natural catching the ball.

Negatives: He gives effort blocking yet he lacks natural bulk, strength, and gets minimal results. He lacks elite tight end speed and may have difficulty beating opponents downfield at the next level.

Analysis: Harbor is a terrific athlete who will only get better as he physically matures. He must improve his blocking yet is good enough catching the ball that he will get looks as a second tight end at the next level.

Projection: 7-FA


-Here's how Spuds from the Eagles sees the player working out:
On the surface, the Eagles have a great situation at tight end. Brent Celek is a Pro Bowl-worthy player. Cornelius Ingram is a great prospect, and Martin Rucker is a young player with a lot of promise. But a deeper look reveals the Eagles had to make sure they are OK in case the worst case happens, and that means Ingram can't stay healthy.

Ingram has suffered torn anterior cruciate ligaments in each of the last two years. He is expected to practice this weekend, and he has gone through his rehab with flying colors. He looks great. He says he feels great. You wonder just how good he can be if he stays healthy.

And you keep your fingers crossed that he can stay healthy. If he can't, well, the Eagles need depth. They couldn't pass up Harbor, who has terrific pass-catching skills and the coaches think he will work hard in the blocking game at the line of scrimmage. Harbor is going to enjoy this offense, because he will have a chance to be very active in the receiving game.

If he has a great spring and summer, Harbor will earn a spot on this team, no matter the injury situation.
 
Round 5

Ricky Sapp DE
-Sapp ran the fastest 40 time of any defensive lineman in the draft. He projects to be a pass-rushing specialist.
The guy should have gone in round 3, according to Todd McShay, who had high praise for the fifth rounder:
"Sapp's game-day production has yet to match his true potential, but he's arguably the best pure athlete of this DE crop"

-ESPN draft tracker commentary:
Sapp is an undesized defensive end who brings good athleticism, quickness and agility. He lacks in terms of overall toughness, instincts and can get controlled when caught in phone booth situations. He needs refining as a pass-rusher, but has great upside in this department.

 -From Matt Mosley, ESPN.com:
"The Philadelphia Eagles took Clemson defensive end Ricky Sapp early in the fifth round. Sapp's an undersized defensive end, which is not a problem for Andy Reid and Sean McDermott. They'll hope they've found another Trent Cole. Sapp is extremely athletic and he should be able to add some bulk to his 250-pound frame. He doesn't play the run all that well, but he probably won't be asked to do that early in his career. Could be a good situational pass-rusher."

ESPN.com's scouting report: 
Defensive End Specific Traits

Pass Rush Skills	2	Explodes off the line and uses hands to keep blockers off frame. Good inside lean and above-average closing speed. Smooth redirecting inside after starting outside and can get to the quarterback when tackles take away the edge but needs to add some power to game.
Athleticism/Versatility	1	Has experience lining up at outside linebacker in a base 3-4 defense (see 2008 Maryland game). Appears comfortable opening hips when asked to drop into zone coverage and surprisingly fluid in space.
Versus the Run	3	Excels at closing down cutback lanes and making plays in pursuit. Quick enough to disrupt plays in the backfield but lacks the trunk to hold ground when teams run at him. Flashes the ability to shed tight ends/fullbacks but inconsistent in this area and sometimes turns shoulders when he should square up.
Instincts/Competitiveness	3	Relentless but too much of a finesse player at this point. Shows better-than-expected awareness in coverage and does an adequate job of getting hands up when he sees the quarterback start his throwing motion. Can get caught too far upfield, making him prone to draws/screens. Can be too eager to collapse inside in short-yardage situations.

1 = Exceptional2 = Above average3 = Average4 = Below average5 = Marginal

-SI.com scouting:
Positives: Explosive college defensive end who will get consideration at outside linebacker in the NFL. Solid athlete who quickly changes direction, collapses down the line of scrimmage, and makes plays in every area of the field. Plays with good balance, knee bend, and gets leverage on opponents. Uses his hands to protect himself, displays an array of moves getting off blocks and fast up the field. Stood up over tackle, shows ability in pursuit, and quickly gets to the flanks, cuts off the sidelines from ball-carriers. Shows skill moving in reverse when dropped into coverage. Solid tackler who wraps up point of attack and brings ball-carriers down on initial contact. Slices to the inside of blocks, making plays up the field and easily redirects to the action.

Negatives: First move lineman who cannot get off blocks once engaged the point of attack. Has always been branded a better athlete than football player.

Analysis: Sapp is a terrific NFL prospect and a player with a great amount of upside potential. He has the skills to be used in a variety of positions, but he will need time to develop his game. Solid prospect whose best football is ahead of him if he's able to stay healthy and continue to improve.

Projection: 2nd


-Here's how Spuds from the Eagles sees the player working out: 
For whatever reason, Sapp's stock fell after most mock draft guesses had him as a second-round draft pick. Now he is here, with a chip on his shoulder about being a fifth-round selection. Sapp will see time at defensive end and as a standup pass rusher either off the edge or in the "A" gap, and he has to show explosiveness and strength at the point of contact to make it at this level.

There is certainly a lot of talent here. The Eagles hope he has the kind of play-making ability he showed at Clemson, and if Sapp does that, he will find a place on the field. Again, the defensive end position looks loaded with promise. Sapp has to come in and fly all over the field and get to the football. If he does that, the Eagles will find a place for him on the field.  
 
Riley Cooper WR
One of the things I discovered about Riley Cooper is that he has a pinched nerve and chronic foot problem. That doesn't sound good.

-ESPN.com draft tracker commentary:
Cooper is a possession receiver with good size and quality hands. He also does a good job of using his body and frame to shield defenders from the ball. That said, he lacks the suddenness and quick-twitched capabilities to consistenlty separate.

ESPN.com's scouting report: 
Wide Receiver Specific Traits

Separation Skills	3	Sells outside move before breaking inside and can get inside leverage on corners when running seam/slant routes. Locates seams in zone looks. Uses frame to box defenders out but could do a better job of working back to the quarterback on comeback routes. Footwork is sound and runs adequate routes but could do a better job of sinking hips and exploding off of plant foot. Doesn't show great burst coming out of cuts and going to have a tougher time separating from man coverage at the NFL level.
Ball Skills	2	Occasionally lets ball get to frame and appears to have some problems fielding passes thrown below waist but generally extends arms and snatches the ball out of the air. Can come down with the ball after taking a big hit. Flashes the ability to make acrobatic catches downfield. Times jumps well and can compete for any jump balls.
Vertical Speed	3	Going to have a difficult time getting open downfield when gets slowed down at the line of scrimmage but appears faster on film than timed speed indicates and tracks the deep ball well.
Run After Catch	4	Fluid turning up field and efficient after the catch but not much of big-play threat as a ball carrier. Faster than quick and takes too long to reach top-end speed when doesn't catch the ball in-stride. Not a shifty open field runner and not going to make many defenders miss when gets into space. Isn't going to pick up a lot of yards after contact.
Competitiveness/Toughness	2	Not afraid to attack the middle of the field or to go up and expose frame to the big hit. Flashes a strong punch and the ability to sustain but effort as a blocker is questionable at times. (See 2009 Mississippi State game) Doesn't take sound angles to downfield blocking assignments. Doesn't play as physical as size suggests and can get pushed around.

1 = Exceptional2 = Above average3 = Average4 = Below average5 = Marginal

-SI.com scouting:
Positives: Tough, reliable possession receiver with natural pass catching skills. Displays good focus, concentration and makes the difficult reception with defenders draped on him. Uses hand technique get off jams the line, shields opponents away with his frame, and plays with a large degree of awareness. Finds the open spot in the underneath coverage, always works to make himself an available target, and is a terrific hand catcher who makes the reception away from his frame. Sells routes displaying quickness into breaks and stays low on exit. Solid downfield blocker and helps the running game.

Negatives: Lacks the second gear, shows no burst or the ability to beat defenders in a foot race. Cannot run to the deep throw. Marginally productive until his senior season.

Analysis: Cooper watched his game take off last season and has the size to be a solid possession receiver and red zone threat at the next level.

Projection: 3rd

-Here's how Spuds from the Eagles sees the player working out:
Watch Cooper from his days at Florida and you can't help but be impressed. He has sure hands, a great frame and he has enough speed to get behind the defense. At nearly 6 feet 4, Cooper is a tall target in tight spots. How does he fit in here? He has to beat out some talented players to make it, that's for sure.

The Eagles drafted Cooper because of his production and because they want to challenge the wide receiver depth. Behind Jackson, Maclin and Avant is veteran Hank Baskett, on a one-year contract. Then there are youngsters Jordan Norwood and Dobson Collins, both of whom looked good enough in practice last year to keep around for this year. Newcomer Chad Hall is in the mix as a long shot, too. Cooper brings some different physical dimensions and a lot of success in college.

It is going to be interesting to see how this wide receiver group, seen as a weakness years ago, blossoms into even more of a strength. This group has a chance to be fantastic, from top to bottom.

Round 6
Charles Scott RB
This guy was a little slow on his 40 time, running 4.7, but he's a big fella.

-ESPN.com draft tracker comments:
Scott is lacking in terms of top-end speed and burst as an outside runner. However, he excellent size, good power and balance and is a determined outside runner who could potentially contribute in short yardage situations.

-Here's the scouting report from ESPN.com: 
Running Back Specific Traits

Competitiveness	3	Not quite the bruiser his size suggests but still a powerful back with average determination. Used as a lead blocker on some of LSU's designed quarterback keepers and more than willing to get in the way but too passive in pass protection.
Vision/Patience	2	No-nonsense north south runner. Doesn't make a lot of cuts and won't get caught dancing in the backfield. Sees the crease develop and hits it immediately. Could be a bit more patient and give blockers a split second longer to get into position at times.
Inside Runner	2	Better inside runner than outside runner. Shows good instincts and doesn't waste any time hitting the hole. The type of back who gets stronger with more carries. Will break arm tackles and shows some leg drive at the end of runs. Shows some lateral agility but only adequate in that department. Runs a little too high and not the kind of pile-moving runner that his big frame would indicate. Initial quickness is just adequate and doesn't show great burst through the line of scrimmage. He will pick up available yards but not much more.
Outside Runner	4	Can run over smaller defenders when he reaches the second level. However, lacks the initial burst to consistently turn the corner at the NFL level. Doesn't have the second gear to run away from defenders when gets into the open field and not an elusive runner.
Passing Game	3	Reliable receiver with big hands and catches anything thrown within his frame but stiff upper body and has some problems adjusting to passes thrown behind him. Not going to make the spectacular catch. Rounds too many breaks off as a route runner and doesn't show great burst coming out of cuts. Not much of a big-play threat after the catch. Flashes a violent punch when asked to chip defensive end on his way out of the backfield. Shows above-average awareness and recognition skills in pass protection but technique is subpar. Doesn't step up or sink hips and can get driven back into the quarterback.

1 = Exceptional2 = Above average3 = Average4 = Below average5 = Marginal

-SI.com scouting:
Positives: Strong interior running back who picks up the tough yardage. Displays solid running vision, sidesteps defenders in a small area, and shows a burst through the hole. Gets a lot of momentum going when he squares his shoulders and then turns north/south, breaks tackles or picks up a lot of yardage off initial contact. Also displays the ability to weave through traffic and find the running lanes. Rarely brought down by the first defender. Gives effort as a blocker.

Negatives: Lacks the speed and agility to turn the corner. Cannot beat defenders into the open field or run to daylight. Clavicle injury must be checked out.

Analysis: At the top of his game, Scott is a terrific prospect for a power running offense that prefers to pound the ball on the inside. He offers starting potential if he gets back to health and shows durability.

Projection: 3rd

-Here's how Spuds from the Eagles sees the player working out:
Power, power and more power, with some nimble feet as well, Scott is a different kind of back than the Eagles have had in a long time. The obvious fit here is as a third running back, and to earn that spot Scott is going to have to pick up the offensive scheme quickly and show he can block and that he can play special teams and that he can catch the football as well as converting short-yardage running situations.

LeSean McCoy is the starter and Mike Bell -- on a one-year contract -- is the backup. That is a good one-two punch. Eldra Buckley was the third back last year and he did a good job. The Eagles signed Martell Mallet from the CFL and he has been at the NovaCare Complex every day in the conditioning program.

Now add Scott to the picture. Very interesting guy.
 

Round 7
Matt Mosley of ESPN.com says of the 7th round choices:
"The Eagles used their two compensatory picks in the seventh round on Ohio State safety Kurt Coleman and Georgia defensive tackle Jeff Owens. Coleman plays a lot bigger than he is at 5-10. Natural leader who should provide some depth at a "need" position. Owens is a powerful guy who was recognized as a big-time leader at Georgia. Not going to crack the starting lineup, but could certainly compete for a roster spot."

Jamar Chaney ILB
-This guy fell three rounds, according to McShay. Also scored higher than 4th round pick Clayton on McShay's LB grades

-ESPN.com's draft tracker comments:
In terms of range and closing speed, he is an excellent fit for the Eagles. While he plays 100 mph, its in the wrong direction too often. He also has sub-par instincts.


-ESPN.com's scouting report: 
Inside Linebacker Specific Traits

Instincts/Recognition	2	Great starting experience at the highest level. Adequate natural instincts. Continues to improve his read-and-react skills. Is quick to react once he has diagnosed. Solid overall awareness.
Strength/Toughness	4	Has good size and enough overall strength to stack and shed. He also shows adequate toughness and plays with a great motor. However, in order to become a more complete player at the point of attack he must improve his hand usage and lower-body strength.
Range vs. Run	2	Very good overall range. Is quick and fast for his size. Can play sideline to sideline when protected. Only issue is that he needs to do a better job of disengaging from blocks in order to maximize his range versus the run.
Tackling	3	Can improve in this area. Closes quickly and does a solid job of wrapping up in space. Not as explosive as his size-speed combination would indicate, though. Will struggle to fill in short-yardage situations. Not a thumper.
3rd Down Capabilites	2	Has excellent potential in this area. Very fast for his size. Good agility. Excellent range in zone coverage. Gets a very deep drop. Ball skills need some improving. Struggles a bit to find the ball in the air. Doesn't have a lot of experience as a pass rusher but has potential in that area because of outstanding closing burst.

1 = Exceptional2 = Above average3 = Average4 = Below average5 = Marginal

-SI.com scouting:
Positives: Explosive, hard-hitting linebacker who makes plays against the pass and run. Remains disciplined with assignments, displays a good head for the ball, and works to make plays. Fast moving sideline to sideline, breaks down well, and nicely flows to the action. Gets depth on pass drops, quick footed moving in reverse, and keeps his head on a swivel, displaying good instincts. Quickly changes direction, easily redirects to ball-carriers, and wraps up tackling.

Negatives: Very slow adjusting off the initial hit then getting back to playing form. Possesses poor hands for the interception. Easily blocked from the action.

Analysis: Chaney did a terrific job returning from injury last season and really presents himself as a potential three-down linebacker for the next level. He's a hard-working player with good athleticism and football intelligence. Cheney has the possibility to be used at several linebacker spots in a number of systems, which will only enhance his value to NFL teams.

Projection: 3rd

-Here's how Spuds from the Eagles sees the player working out:
The first of three seventh-round draft picks, the Eagles actually traded a draft pick next year (sixth round) to have the chance to draft Cheney. The like him a lot. He hopefully can play all three linebacker spots, but the Eagles will probably look at him in the middle initially. That is a direct challenge to Joe Mays as the Eagles want to make sure they solidify the position behind Stewart Bradley.

Cheney is an active, aggressive, physical player. The team had him graded far higher than a seventh-round draft pick. Now he has a chance to prove how good he is at a position that has been too unsettled the last few seasons.

There are a lot of linebackers here and you wonder how it is all going to shake out. Who stays? Who goes? Can the Eagles finally have some stability here for the next several seasons?


Jeff Owens DT
Owens is described as having a "sloppy build;" the consensus is that he can be a good run-stopping DT if he trains harder.

-ESPN.com's draft tracker comments:
Owens has great size but has had some durability issues in the past. He has the strength to anchor on the inside for an Eagles' line that is lacking depth.

-From McShay:
"Owens started 24 consecutive games prior to suffering a season-ending knee injury in the 2008 opener. He has enough size and strength to contribute as a run-stopper in the NFL."

EXPN.com's scouting report: 
Defensive Tackle Specific Traits

Strength/Toughness	2	Plays with a mean streak at times. Shows good upper-body power and adequate-to-good lower-body strength. Is top-heavy and loses his ability to anchor when he plays too high, which is a serious problem for a potential NT in the NFL. Needs to improve his stamina and use better overall leverage in order to maximize his strength.
Quickness(hands/feet)	3	Solid initial quickness for his size as long as he's relatively fresh and also shows very quick hands. Has adequate-to-good burst on a straight-line but he's not a good athlete. Very tight and does not change directions well at all. Stamina has also been an issue. Slows down considerably as the game wears on.
Versus the Run	2	Can establish initial penetration and disrupt some plays in the backfield with his quick first step. Shows initial pop and vicious hands. Can be a very effective run-plugger but he needs to be more consistent and disciplined. He doesn't anchor versus the run as well as he should at this point. He has good overall strength but has not learned to play with consistent enough leverage and must do a better job of occupying blockers. Also lacks discipline and takes the easy way out too often.
Pass Rush Skills	4	Disrupts frequently but rarely finishes. Not a natural playmaker as a pass rusher. Fires out of stance quickly and shows good snap anticipation. Can penetrate and generate some problems when fresh. Hands are always moving and he shows a good motor as a pass rusher. However, he wastes a lot of movement and needs to learn a more effective spin move. Really struggles to split the double team.

1 = Exceptional2 = Above average3 = Average4 = Below average5 = Marginal

-Si.com Scouting:

 Positives: Explosive interior lineman who plays with a large degree of quickness. Fires off the snap with a nice first step, plays with good pad level, and shows a large degree of power in his lower body. Keeps his feet driving up the field, displays the ability to slide off blocks laterally, and quickly changes direction, then gets out to the flanks to make plays. Solid run defender who works his hands throughout the action.

Negatives: Controlled at the point by a single blocker and slow to shed tackles. Marginal pass rusher who loses a lot of momentum when he alters his angle of attack.

Analysis: Owens looks the part yet does not consistently play to it on the field. His development was hampered by the knee injury suffered in 2008, yet for the most part, Owens has underachieved in college. Does offer a degree of upside at the next level as a conventional tackle in a four-man front.

Projection: 3rd

-Here's how Spuds from the Eagles sees the player working out:
Why not? Trevor Laws hasn't played well in his two seasons here and Antonio Dixon is still on the raw side, so Owens comes in and is going to push for a roster spot and to add some depth. He's got good size, he is active and he has talent. Figure that the Eagles will keep four defensive tackles on their 53-man roster. Owens is one of the players the Eagles want to bring some game and make the coaches sweat over their decisions in the summer.

Kurt Coleman S
-Slipped a round, according to McShay

-ESPN.com's draft tracker comments:
Coleman is a bit undersized, but shows good upside with strong overall athleticism and the ability to match up in man coverage if need be. He also brings added value as a special teams coverage man.

-ESPN.com's scouting report: 
Safety Specific Traits

Instincts/Mental Toughness	3	Appears to diagnose plays quickly but lacks ideal instincts and gets caught out of position a little too much. Fiery competitor that has the short-term memory loss to bounce back after getting beat.
Run Support	3	Gets downhill immediately. A wrap-up tackler that flashes ability to deliver the big hit but needs to take better angles to the ball. Not as effective in space as is in close quarters.
Fluidity	2	Fluid hips and smooth changing directions. Flashes the man-to-man cover skills necessary to mirror slot receivers at the NFL level. Lacks elite range and would struggle if asked to play a centerfielder-type role on a consistent basis.
Closing Burst	3	A quick-twitch athlete that shows above-average burst coming out of cuts but footwork is a bit inconsistent. Questionable recovery speed and struggles to catch up with the receiver once caught in trail position.
Ball Skills	2	Aggressive but doesn't take unnecessary chances and can get hand on the ball without drawing pass interference flag. May get pushed around by bigger receivers and tight ends in jump ball situations at the NFL level.

1 = Exceptional2 = Above average3 = Average4 = Below average5 = Marginal

-SI.com scouting:
Positives: Underrated college safety with a complete game. Smart, tough and creates opportunities for his team. Works well with cornerbacks, displays terrific awareness and solid instincts. Reads the action, recognizes routes in zone coverage and displays a nice break to the ball. Aggressive, works hard to get involved in the action and wraps up tackling. Takes good angles to plays and very efficient. Displays solid sideline to sideline range in centerfield and covers a lot of area.

Negatives: Possesses just average size and speed. Marginally explosive.

Analysis: Coleman is one of the more complete safeties in this draft yet will be downgraded because he lacks the great measurables. He offers the ability to play in several systems and has starting potential. In many ways Coleman reminds us of Ed Reed when the All Pro enter the draft in 2002.

Projection: 3rd

-Here's how Spuds from the Eagles sees the player working out:
Although a bit undersized, Coleman makes up for his lack of prototypical size with smarts, with heart, with great football instincts. The Eagles have two new rookies to throw into the mix at safety, and they are going to shake things up and see how it comes out.

Coleman made a lot of plays at Ohio State. He has a lot to learn here, and he has an uphill battle making the 53-man roster. But he also has great intangibles, and he is going to present a challenge to the safety positions here.