Eagles draft outlook
An in-depth look at the Eagles' needs heading into the 2007 draft:
1. Defensive end. Jevon Kearse will be 31, and he's coming off a knee injury. Darren Howard, who will turn 31 next season, hasn't lived up to his billing and might be released. Although Juqua Thomas was re-signed, Jerome McDougle, a 2003 first-round pick, has been a bust. The team could move tackle Darwin Walker outside, but it also could take someone early in the draft. Miami's Baraka Atkins, who can also play inside, or Georgia's Charles Johnson would be good early picks. If the team waits, it could get Michigan's LaMarr Woodley or Nebraska's Jay Moore later on the first day.
2. Safety. Quintin Mikell was re-signed, but the team lost Michael Lewis (to San Francisco) as a free agent. Plus, Pro Bowl safety Brian Dawkins will turn 34 during the season, so the Eagles need a young player to pair with Sean Considine. It's doubtful they'll spend a first-round pick here, but if they do it could be on Florida's Reggie Nelson. Later, they could get Virginia Tech's Aaron Rouse or Texas A&M's Melvin Bullitt.
3. Running back. With Correll Buckhalter as a free agent, the team desperately needs a big back to pair with Brian Westbrook and to use in short-yardage situations. Word is the team likes Rutgers fullback Brian Leonard and might consider him in the second round. Otherwise, the Eagles might wait and grab someone such as Florida's DeShawn Wynn on the second day.
4. Middle linebacker. The team first needs to decide how long Jeremiah Trotter will factor into the equation at the position. If the coaches feel Omar Gaither is better suited to play on the outside, they'll need to look for Trotter's eventual replacement. This isn't a great draft for the position, but Clemson's Anthony Waters might be a possibility in the middle rounds.
5. Outside linebacker. What the Eagles do here also will depend on Gaither. But the team has not drafted a linebacker in the first round since 1979, and that's not likely to change. However, if Florida State's Lawrence Timmons is available when the Eagles pick, he'll be tempting.
6. Wide receiver. Everything depends on whether the Eagles re-sign Donte' Stallworth. If they don't, they could take a speed receiver in the later rounds. UTEP wideout/return man Johnnie Lee Higgins could fill two needs.
7. Cornerback. The team will lose free agent Rod Hood, but don't look for a high pick here. On Day 2, the team could opt for Anthony Arline or C.J. Wilson, both from Baylor, or Tennessee's Jon Wade.
OUTLOOK
Despite their low pick in the first round, don't expect the Eagles to trade up. There are needs all over the defense, and they'll be addressed early. After selecting a defensive tackle in the first round the past two years -- USC's Mike Patterson and Florida State's Brodrick Bunkley -- the team could go for an end this time, especially if Georgia's Johnson is on the board at No. 26. Miami's Atkins, who can play inside and outside, is another intriguing option.
The team needs to shore up its run defense, so the wish list could include both a middle and outside linebacker. There's a possibility the Eagles will have just three safeties on the roster by draft day, so that could be a big need. And the Eagles will take a cornerback at some point; this is a team that believes it can never have too many of them.
On offense, the major need is a big back. Some in the organization like Leonard, who weighs 239 pounds and has good speed and great hands, as a potential complement to Westbrook.
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Eagles draft outlook
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