Eagles Draft Wrap Up 2012

By all accounts, the Eagles had a decent draft in 2012. There weren't many sure-thing superstar prospects to be had, and the Eagles didn't get any of them. But, the birds did move up a bit to get perhaps the best defensive tackle in the pool without giving up anything of value. And, the rest of their picks seemed to get the universal "Yep, that's the guy to get there" from the pundits. No reaches, no complaints. A seemingly safe draft, heavy on the acquisition of defensive players.

The only mildly controversial move the Eagles made was selecting Arizona QB Nick Foles. Most experts agree that Big Red is going to flip him for a second rounder in a couple years like he does with every other developmental quarterback he touches (AJ Feely, Kevin Kolb). Some think that Foles might make a decent starter and seems like a big strong kid with a good arm, and others think that he's a checkdown charlie who isn't much of an athlete and won't ever pan out as an NFL starter. I say that I still like Mike Kafka, but that The Big Metamorphosis is never going to shine in an offense planned for a mobile quarterback who has reverted to his pre-prison headspace.

I didn't study up on the draft, so I don't have any insight about the players picked. But I'm going to list the Eagles draft choices below and what people are saying about them. Then we'll look back at the draft in a few years to decide just how safe this draft was.

Round 1 Pick 12- Fletcher Cox DT Mississippi State
SI Says:
Positives: Developing defensive lineman with a large upside. Athletic player who explodes off the snap with a terrific first step, displaying outstanding movement skills and the ability to quickly change direction. Works his hands throughout the play, moves well laterally and gets outside the box to make plays in pursuit. Has a tall, linear build, breaks down well and is agile. Slides off blocks to get to the ballcarrier, flashes power in his lower body and rarely gets knocked off his feet. Effectively uses his hands to protect himself, fluid if asked to twist or stunt and displays a burst of closing speed. Possesses good size and offers growth potential.

Negatives: Easily knocked from his angle of attack or is out-positioned from plays. Must add bulk to his frame and improve his playing strength.

Analysis: Cox watched his game take off last season and is now positioned to be a top-20 choice in April?s draft. His athleticism and versatility are intriguing, as Cox has the potential to line up at several different spots on the defensive line. Cox will only improve as he physically matures, and he has the potential to develop into one of the best defenders from this draft in time.

Profootball Talk Says:
At 6-foot-4, 298, Cox ran an impressive 4.81 forty-yard dash at February’s Scouting Combine. He has huge hands and long arms, and is an up-the-field pass rusher who will fit nicely into line coach Jim Washburn’s “Wide-Nine” scheme.

CBS Sports Says:
So much of the focus of the Eagles' wide-9 defense is placed on the outside pass rushers. For this scheme to work effectively, however, the team needs penetrating interior defenders -- just like Fletcher Cox, the best pass-rushing defensive tackle in the draft, who could prove a steal at No. 12 overall.

National Football Post: The Eagles needed a guy who could create negative plays behind the line of scrimmage and stop plays before they start. Cox is an explosive kid with an excellent get-off burst who knows how to knife his way into the backfield. I have some concerns about his pad level and ability to anchor vs. the run game. However, he can bend, extend his arms well and knows how to fend off blocks. Should be an instant upgrade for the Eagles inside. NFL ceiling: Top-tier penetrating DT. NFL floor: A starter who flashes inside, but is inconsistent vs. the run.

Round 2 (14)- Mychal Kendricks OLB Cal

SI:
Positives: Tough and explosive linebacker with height limitations. Terrific pass rusher who beats blockers off the snap and can bend off the edge. Quickly changes direction, shows a burst of speed and has the ability to catch the action in backside pursuit. Outstanding sideline-to-sideline range, covers a lot of area on the field and takes good angles to the action. Gets depth on pass drops, patient with assignments and plays smart football.

Negatives: Not a strong tackler. Gets out-positioned from the action by blocks. Lack of height will be a problem at the next level when matched up against tall tight ends. May struggle in a system that requires too many mental responsibilities'.

Analysis: Kendricks was a game-impacting player on the college level who effectively handled several spots in the defensive front seven for Cal. He plays fast, tough and smart and could be a very good pass-rushing linebacker in a 34 alignment.

CBS:

The Eagles landed arguably the draft's most explosive linebacker in Cal's Mychal Kendricks

 

National Football Post: Kendricks is as violent and explosive as a striker as any linebacker in the draft. He loves to attack downhill, runs well sideline to sideline and can create pressure as a blitzer. He's short, but plays with natural leverage and should see starting time from right away. NFL ceiling: Productive starter. NFL floor: Fringe starter. 

Round 2 (28) - Vinny Curry DE Marshall

SI:
Positives: Natural pass rusher with potential at a number of positions in the NFL. Incredibly explosive, fires off the snap and chases around the field to make plays. Can bend off the edge, takes good angles to the action and displays a variety of moves with his hands to protect himself. Attacks assignments, goes after ballcarriers and gets a lot of momentum going to the action. Plays with good pad level, fluid moving in every direction of the field and easily changes direction without losing speed. Tough to knock off his feet. Effectively diagnoses plays and has solid instincts.

Negatives: Lacks great bulk and struggles getting off blocks. Primarily used up the field and rarely asked to make plays in reverse. Possesses solid speed but is not great in pursuit.

Analysis: Curry has been one of the best pass rushers in college football the past two seasons. He's a prospect who can be used as a one-gap defensive end or standing up over tackle as a rush linebacker at the next level. Curry plays smart, tough, football and is a prospect who should only get better over time.

CBS:

An ideal wide-9 edge rusher.

 

National Football Post: Curry fits the prototype of the Eagles' defensive ends. He's got a good get-off, plays with a "plus" motor and can extend his arms and be sudden through contact. He lacks ideal power on contact, but has the frame to get stronger and should be a menace in the Eagles' wide-nine front. NFL ceiling: Productive starter. NFL floor: Contributing reserve.  

Round 3 (26)- Nick Foles QB Arizona

SI:
Positives: Well-sized pocket passer with enough arm strength to play at the next level. Possesses good field vision, patient in the pocket and effective when he throws with an over-the-top delivery. Makes good decisions, effectively commands the offense and can make all the throws. Drives passes down the field while also powering the ball through tight windows in underneath coverage. Puts air under throws and gives receivers a chance. Big enough to withstand the rush in the pocket.

Negatives: Takes a while to gather himself and release the ball. Does not show the ability to get rid of the ball with a flick of his wrist. At times indecisive under the rush. Not an elusive quarterback. Does not consistently step into throws or release the ball with proper footwork. Must improve his downfield accuracy and overall pass placement.

Analysis: Foles looked like a big-time quarterback prospect early in his college career. Despite the statistics, he never truly improved as a passer. He has the physical skills to play at the next level but must learn to throw with consistent mechanics and needs to play in a run-first offense that does not ask him to carry a team on his shoulders.

National Football Post: If there was one mid-round QB that has the best chance of maturing into a solid starter it's Foles. He's a big strong kid, who can spin the football and make plays in the face of pressure. A great value for the Eagles with long-term starting potential. NFL ceiling: Solid starter. NFL flood: "Plus" reserve. 

Philly.com (quoting others):

As for Foles, here's what Cosell Tweeted about him a few weeks ago:
Tightly schemed shotgun pass game w/almost no intermediate throws.1 read concepts. Easy reads.

Slow arm speed limits driving the ball. Heavy feet. Needs space to throw. Showed better traits when had time + space.

Did not drive the ball on few intermediate throws or sideline throws.

And from draft analyst Matt Waldman's Rookie Scouting Portfolio:
Foles has the size, the short-range accuracy, and some fundamental skills that could help him develop into a pro quarterback with work. I think his footwork with his drops, releases, and his decision-making in the pocket will need refinement for him to develop into an NFL quarterback with starter potential and I think that’s asking a lot from him. I think he's a lot more of a project than some think.

Round 4- Brandon Boykin CB Geoirgia

SI:
Positives: Small but explosive cornerback who shuts down opponents. Possesses tremendous quickness, easily runs downfield with opponents and shows a burst to the action. Explosive, plays an aggressive game and displays a feel for coverage. Locates the pass in the air, gets vertical and adjusts to make plays on the ball. Shows good hands for the interception. Explodes out of his plant to the ball and has a burst of closing speed. Does not back down to challenges and takes on bigger ballcarriers in run support. Alters the momentum of games as a return specialist.

Negatives: Easily neutralized at the point by blocks. Occasionally bites on play-action fakes and misses assignments. Suffered a significant leg injury during the Senior Bowl which has raised numerous red flags.

Analysis: Boykin was a solid player on the Georgia defense the past three seasons and possesses ball skills and speed that translate well to the NFL. His lack of height is a concern as is his recent injury, but at the very least Boykin offers potential as a nickelback who can also impact a team returning punts and kicks.

CBS:
Talented cover corner and return specialist.

National Football Post: Boykin is a gifted athlete who plays more physical than his frame would indicate. He isn't the most consistent of tacklers, but he's got a great feel in zone coverage and showcases the short-area quickness to hold his own in man. He's the type of slot guy the Eagles desperately needed to add in their secondary. Great value here. 

Philly.com:

Boykin (5-9, 182) is almost the exact same size as the player he's trying to replace: Joselio Hanson (5-9, 185). Hanson was cut before last season, but the Eagles eventually brought him back. He turns 31 in August, and as I explained recently, did not have a great year in 2011.

In Boykin, the Eagles get a player Greg Cosell of NFL Films called one of the top two slot cornerbacks in the draft. NFL Network's Mike Mayock had Boykin ranked as his 61st best overall prospect. The Eagles got him with the 123rd overall pick.

Round 5- Dennis Kelly T Purdue

SI:
Positives: Massive college left tackle who projects to the right side in the NFL. Solid in all facets of the game. Quickly sets up in pass protection, fights with his hands and keeps defenders in front of him. Moves relatively well on his feet. Works hard to bend his knees and block with leverage. Easily controls opponents once engaged at the point of attack. Jolts defenders with good hand punch and easily turns opponents off the line of scrimmage.

Negatives: Bends at the waist and overextends into blocks on occasion. Struggles to adjust and is better in a smaller area.

Analysis: Kelly has been productive and durable on the college level. He offers potential as a backup right tackle.

Round 6- Marvin McNutt WR Iowa

SI:
Positives: Well-sized possession receiver who's shown progress the past three years. Finds the clearing in the defense, consistently comes across the middle of the field and gets vertical. Uses his frame to shield away defenders and makes the difficult catch in a crowd. Extends to catch the ball away from his frame, strong running after the reception and breaks tackles to pick up extra yardage. Comes back to the ball out of breaks, looks the pass into his hands and wins out for the high throw.

Negatives: Lacks a quick release off the line. Does not possess a burst of speed or show a second gear. Poor route runner and tends to round off breaks. Unnecessarily lets passes get inside him at times.

Analysis: McNutt has been a productive college receiver the past two years and was able to use his athleticism and frame to overmatch opponents. He's an adequate prospect for the next level yet in the end maybe nothing more than a fourth receiver on an NFL roster.

Round 6- Brandon Washington G Miami

SI:
Positives: Well-sized blocker with a developing game. Sets with a wide base, stays square and chips defenders, knocking them from their angle of attack. Possesses a wide body and blocks down on defenders or engulfs them altogether. Quickly sets up in pass protection, flashes footwork off the edge and uses good body positioning to seal defenders from the action. Works his hands throughout the play and jolts opponents with good punch.

Negatives: Not light on his feet and rumbles around the field. Must improve his use of blocking angles. Overextends and lunges into blocks.

Analysis: Washington is a big-bodied college left tackle who's better off at guard in the NFL. He possesses the size, strength and overall football skills to eventually develop into a starter but needs to become more technically sound.

Round 7- Bryce Brown RB Kansas State

CBS:
The team could be rewarded for their seventh-round gamble on highly touted prep running back Bryce Brown, who'll get a shot for playing time behind star LeSean McCoy.

Philly.com:
The Eagles finished their draft with an interesting gamble. Running back Bryce Brown has loads of talent, but he managed to leave both the Tennessee and Kansas State programs, and get involved in an investigation of improper benefits given Miami players by a booster, when Brown's brother played for Miami.

Reid said he and general manager Howie Roseman "talked a lot about this kid, and we spent a lot of time evaluating him. He's had kind of a wild ride here through college football since being the No. 1 running back coming out of high school into college."

Off-the-field adventures aside, Reid said "you're talking about a kid who is an inch under six feet and is 220 pounds, who runs a 4.4 40. You're talking tremendous, tremendous skill here. He catches the ball effortlessly and is a smooth, smooth runner. He has all the talent in the world, but it's just a matter of tying things down here."