FanHouse Mock Draft: Eagles Take WR James Hardy at No. 19

Over the past week and a half, we've been conducting a mock draft over at FanHouse. I played the role of Eagles GM -- even though I didn't go the route they will likely go -- and decided to pick a guy I'd love to see on the Eagles.

With the 19th pick, the Eagles select James Hardy, WR out of Indiana. The reasoning for my pick and some video highlights of his time at Indiana over at FH.

Click here for the entire FanHouse mock draft.

Comments

[gootman]

I would comment over at the fanhouse but their comment system stinks(I like it better over here anyway).

I too like Hardy but are we just all biased because we watched him go for 14 cataches, 142yds, & 2 TDs against Penn State last year? I think the Eagles could get him in the second round, if anything select an O-line/Safety here and try to move up in the second round to get Hardy.

[Kulp]

A lot of people will tell you this is too high for Hardy, but I never understood why. Some believe it's because he lacks breakaway speed, but he reminds me of Plaxico Burress, another WR the Eagles were thought to be interested in long ago. (If I remember correctly, he skipped a meeting with the Birds to attend a Mich. St. basketball game.) Burress actually ran slower than Hardy, yet he has become of one of the elite scorers in the NFL with 22 TD's the past two seasons. I love this pick now, and I would love it on draft day.

Thanks for the shoutout... very kind words.

[Rob I.]

Thanks for ruining the pretend Eagles, pretend GM!

[theKrisheim]

i must be the one guy in america who hates the draft, the pre-draft coverage, the experts and everything else that surrounds the teams putting a name on a piece of paper and having a guy in a suit announce it. i get the draft's importance, but the coverage has reached an all-time high level of comedy.

[Eagle Scout]

I like Hardy but not at 19. Way too high for the guy. And enough of this Plaxico Burress comparison. Burress was 20 lbs heavier coming out of school than Hardy. Plaxico was also known for being a big, strong, physical receiver.

Hardy is not known to be physical or strong. If you've ever seen him play he's more of a leaper, basketball type of guy. There scouting reports show them to be two very different players in terms of a physical standpoint.

Hardy scouting report:

Needs to add bulk and more muscle tone to his body, as he has the linear build of a basketball player...His lanky frame poses problems, as he struggles vs. the more physical cornerbacks to get off the line due to marginal upper-body strength. Lacks aggression and desire as a blocker.

Burress scouting report:

Physical, athletic and confident. Difficult to jam. Gets separation against the press. Creates mismatches because of his size. Powerful runner. Tough to knock off his feet. Strong blocker.

[Esco]

Why is everyone so in love with this kid??? He's average at best and he's a mid to late 2nd round pick. Nice size but lacks speed and for his size...he's soft. Didn't we all hate the last soft WR that was here not to long ago???

I know everone wants the big strong WR, but I don't think this kid is it. I would much rather take D.Thomas.

[GreggyD]

I would love for the Eagles to get Hardy, but only in the second round, even it means trading up for him if he's going to go in the early goings. I've heard rumors that they're trying to move up to 9 or 10 with their first rounder and Lito and that they might try to take Leodis McKelvin. I don't see the point in trading a pro bowl cornerback and a pick for a younger unproven CB, other than for the fact that Lito has been so injury prone. I think a good pick at 19 would be Kenny Phillips if he's available. I didn't say that a couple weeks ago when the mock draft was up, but I didn't realize he wasn't off the board already. A draft that consisted of a first rounder of Phillips and Hardy in the second would be an instant crowd pleaser.

[bizurk]

The Birds have a good number of early picks, and will probably engineer some sort of deal. But if they remain as they stand, I would be amazed if they didn't take an OL first. It is their greatest need, followed by S, DL and a tie between CB and WR. This team will be in absolute shambles if they lose Runyan or Tra. I, for one will not be disappointed if they don't use any of their first 4 picks on WRs.

[bizurk]

I don't put too much stock in these mock drafts, and agree partially with the comment that this has turned into comedy.... that being said, Iggles draft dreams and speculation beat out everything but the Flyers and the Sixers right now (for this fan).

Anyway, some mocks have Phillips down to the 2nd rd. Any thought to staying put in the 1st rd, then making a move up to the top of the 2nd for Phillips? Something like Lito and a 3rd pick to Atlanta for one of their early 2nd rd picks?

[Kulp]

Physical style is basically the only difference between Hardy and Plax. I admit, it's a big difference, but that doesn't mean you can't compare the two.

Hardy scouting report:

Phenomenal size with a huge frame and long arms... A terrific natural athlete... Has big, reliable hands and can snatch the ball away from his body... A fantastic leaper with excellent ball skills... Knows how to use his body to shield defenders... **Can do some damage after the catch.**

Burress scouting report:

Rare size... Outstanding athletic ability... Creates instant matchup problems with his size and athleticism... Good hands, balance and excellent body control... Can make the acrobatic, circus catches... **May have gotten a little too heavy.**

They clearly have a similar skill set. If Hardy doesn't best compare to Plax, then who?

That being said, it is a legitimate concern, but I crave Hardy's red zone production more than anything else. Injecting 8-10 TD's from one player would make this offense as dangerous as almost any other in the league.

---

bizurk, the team would not necessarily be in shambles without Tra and Runyan. Those would be big losses, but the Eagles actually have options with their offensive line. Herremans is probably better suited to play tackle, and that would allow Jean-Gilles to move into a starting spot (he might this year anyway). Andrews could also move to tackle, his original position. And it's unfair to assume Justice is a lost cause after just one game against one of the most dominant pass rushers in the league. If that doesn't dispel your fears, I suspect the Eagles will use the franchise tag on Tra Thomas next season to get one more year out of him.

[Mel Kiper Jr]

it's obvious to me right now that the pretend eagles just don't understand what this pretend draft is all about

[bizurk]

Good points Kulp, and I have not given up on Justice, he has plenty of time to turn it around. That was a pretty bad game, but I'm definitely in his corner for now.

That being said, I would much rather they stockpile another talented lineman than take a chance on a WR that early. You really cannot have enough depth on that line. We're a turned ankle away from a Buck/Hunt ground game or a Kolb-led aerial show; only strength along the OL will keep the pretend birds competitive through the imaginary injuries.

No more WR dreams.... I'm calling for the head of pretend Joe Banner!

[Paul D]

As much as the fans want a WR, the Eagles are almost CERTAINLY going to take an Offensive Tackle with their 1st pick.

They may even trade up to get the OT of their choice. It's that important, and they almost don't have a choice.

[PhilaMegaMan]

To pick Hardy at 19 would be ridiculous. Almost as ridiculous as the comparisions to Plaxico. Just because Hardy is tall does not mean he's automatically a proven stud reciever. From what I read Hardy seems tall, lankey and weak off the line.... not really how I'd describe Burress. If Sheldon Brown is not moving to saftey, that's really what we should be worried about....