It's Draft Day Morning...

With the NFL moving the start of the draft from noon to 3 PM, we're left sitting at 11 AM with nothing to do but start drinking anyway, and bounce questions around the room about what the Eagles and the rest of the field will do today. Because isn't that the beauty of Draft Day? The uncertainty, the projections, the predictions, the wondering... the fear.

With the Eagles slated to pick at 19th, also known as no-man's land in the first round, there's talk of them moving up or down, with the juiciest of rumors swirling that they might want a tailback like Felix Jones. After taking a QB with their top pick last year, who'd be shocked if they jammed another RB into a backfield that had Brian Westbrook playing at an MVP level last year? Ray Didinger even suggested it might be a good idea to line BWest up outside with a guy like Jones in the backfield. I'd probably still be a little blown away to see it happen.

There's also the question of where Lito Sheppard will land, and what the Birds will get in return. Opinions vary on his value, but most agree that the deal will hinge on the Eagles' ability to make a good selection with whatever pick they get, which of course is a huge wild card.

So feel free to air your last-minute wish lists and let the speculation fly... that's what this day is all about. We'll be back with updates and Draft Day etcetera throughout the day, culminating some playoff hockey later tonight.

Comments

[Paul D]

Draft Day is the oasis of the NFL off-season. It's a great day because we're going to be seeing teams make mistakes that will haunt their franchises for years to come.

I just hope the Eagles don't get burned by drafting another Freddie Mitchell. If they can somehow get a top quality CB or WR I'll be happy. They will probably target OT as their number one priority - but who REALLY knows.

[Kulp]

Felix Jones would be a surprise. I suspect the Eagles will look at a dynamic runner, but not necessarily in the first round. The Cowboys have been linked to Jones, so this may be an attempt to force a trade ahead of 19. Another runner the Eagles may be interested in is Chris Johnson from East Carolina. He ran a 4.2 40, is an excellent receiver out of the backfield, and he returns kicks.

The Lito situation is interesting. It's entirely possible the Eagles leaked the Bucs trade to give the teams with higher picks a kick in the butt. At this point, it's unlikely the Saints are major players. The 40th pick in the draft has already been rumored to be involved in a trade for Jeremy Shockey, or in a first round swap with the Rams. If the Saints do business with the Giants, it's going to be hard to find a better offer than Tampa's, but if the Rams wind up with two seconds they may be willing to deal #40.

Predictions... (probably a mistake, but what the hell)
1. The Eagles will not use their first pick on an offensive lineman, unless they wind up with two firsts.
2. If the Eagles remain at 19, they will select Devin Harris or Aqib Talib.

[Matt P.]

Chris Johnson. Whoa.

[Kulp]

The kick return at 2:10 is sick. Kid looks like a faster Westbrook.

[Kulp]

LOL, Mich St. WR Devin Thomas, not NJ Nets G Devin Harris... I don't think I'm the first person to make that mistake.

[Matt P.]

Never know with the Birds, Kulp...

[Kulp]

From Peter King:

"The Eagles are asking too much for Lito Sheppard, the cornerback who wants a new big-money contract. Philly talked to Tampa Bay, but the Bucs are not interested in surrendering their second-round pick because they'd also have to pay Sheppard just under what the premier corners have been making the past few seasons. That's too much. I expect Sheppard to end this weekend as an Eagle."

[Zack]

i want the eagles to move back about 6 picks...and draft james hardy

[Ian]

The Eagles will give Sheppard to the best offer, which appears to be the Saints with a high second. There are supposedly a half dozen offers on the table.

It is possible that that 2nd and a package of lower picks could be enough to pry Jason Taylor because there doesn't seem to be a better offer on the table. He would potentially be an exciting addition to the d for a few years and it would be hard to block him, Cole and the DTs.

NFL.com has RBs Felix Jones and Rarshard Mendenhall on the board for the Eagles with the DTs and CBs snatched up, and Mendenhall is an intriguing option since the knock on his is that he's raw. Raw is ok when you have BWest and Buck.

I don't like picking Gosder Cherilous or a RT. That means either Justice at LT or Andrews at LT, and then you'd be giving up on Justice at RT, which for all I know is inevitable.. but.. I think you either get a left tackle or something other than an OT.

This is another thing I was just thinking about. The Profootballtalk.com rumor mill says that Matt Ryan is the third pick and Harbaugh and the Ravens are panicking about getting a QB, and they're going to trade down to 10 (w the Saints) and use 10 for Chad Henne, who isn't on any mock draft for the first round. Now this is an opportunity for the Eagles.. who knows Harbaugh better and if that scenario is true, Henne has a 100% chance to be there at 19. The Eagles can unload a few lower picks that will be cut anyway to move up for a Ryan Clady or Brandan Albert or perhaps Derrick Harvey.

[Ian]

the Ravens are at 8

[Kulp]

The Saints may have already promised their second round pick to the Giants for Jeremy Shockey. Also, one point that has not been touched on is the growing Saints/Eagles rivalry. They may be reluctant to trade Lito to New Orleans feeling there is a good chance they will see the Saints in the playoffs.

If the Eagles draft a running back, it's probably safe to assume Buckhalter won't be back.

Just to clarify a bit on the o-line situation. Andrews plays on the right side and would more likely move to RT, but I'd put the chances of that happening under 25%. They have been trying to turn Justice into a LT not RT, but he played the right side in college and some scouts believe he would be better suited for that.

Right now, my money is on Jean-Gilles beating out Herremans at starting LG this summer. Herremans played tackle in college, so having him as a reserve would give the Eagles a valuable asset on the bench. Jon Runyan should retire after the season, so hopefully either Justice or Herremans can play an effective RT.

Everyone still sees the obvious hole forming at LT with Tra Thomas in his final year as well, but the Eagles could opt to use the franchise tag and get one more season from him. This gives them time to develop a replacement or even wait until next season to draft their LT of the future.

[Matt P.]

Mel Kulper Jr.

Love it.

[Benjamin]

It just seems, with the Sixers and Flyers and Phillies all going at it on a daily basis these days, that the NFL draft is taking a backseat, and that is awesome in my book. When sports in this city are peaking so much, that Draft Day is a bonus event sandwiched between NBA/NHL play off games, life is good. To the greatest fans in America...CHEERS!

[Bryan]

We don't need anymore running backs. Westy, Buck, Hunt. I think we're ok!!

[Matt P.]

ESPN is dropping the ball on the extra 3 hours today, just re-airing stuff they had on at noon, like the Darren McFadden E:Shitsy piece. Can't wait for another Stephen A. update on last night's games.

[bizurk]

I am pretty intrigued by the draft, but thrilled that we have playoff hockey and hoops to worry about. All of this conjecture built on conjecture is pretty silly. Especially numbers like a 4.2 40 that are taken as gospel..... uhhh, nobody runs a 4.2 40 (http://www.usoc.org/11611_32384.htm)

Ben Johnson's world record 100m run (with track spikes, years of training, a tailwind, and veins full of Stanazolol) cleared the first 40yds in 4.38. And draft experts are worried about 6'5" WRs who can't run it in less than 4.5...... please.

[Ian]

Kulp, For the record I did think that Andrews was LG but it is nonetheless true that the Eagles are talking about Andrews taking over at left tackle. Justice was seen as a left tackle until his fateful game against the Giants and now is being looked at more as being a RT if they can salvage even that.

All this is even more reason not to pick a RT in the 1st round.

[Matt P.]

Ian McShay!

[Kulp]

Shawn Andrews is DEFINITELY the right tackle.

40 time is just a measuring stick. Also, 100 m dash doesn't require hitting your top speed in the first 40 yards, you don't hit your top speed until the end of the race.

[gootman]

Is that a WWE belt on Dorsey's wrist?

[Matt P.]

Dorsey's happy as all outdoors.

[Ian]

The Saints dealt with the Patriots for the 7th pick, don't know what the deal was, so that means the Ravens are looking for other deal partners, time for Jim to call Andy.

[Ian]

oh, they dealt with Jax, scratch that..

[Ian]

no OTs other than Long, no CBs after the top 10.. good news for Andy.. the next few teams are considering OT upgrades

[gootman]

O-lineman are falling, I see the Eagles grabbing one barring a run on the position in the next few picks.

[Ian]

after 12, The Eagles are now guaranteed one of these seven:

Albert
Williams
Otah
Rogers-Cromartie
Jenkins
Devon Thomas
Rashard Mendenhall

good news for them

[Ian]

probably ALbert and Mendenhall go 14-15

Carolina was considering an OT at 13 so more good news

[Ian]

Eagles will probably be left with a choice of CB Mike Jenkins, RB Felix Jones, and WR Devon Thomas..

Az Cromartie
Det Mendenhall
Hou Otah

[Ian]

The Texans will probably pick Otah, that means Mendenhall will fall to the Eagles..

[Ian]

Otah falls to them after the trade.. still the choices are intriguing

[Chris]

At least it wasn't to the cowgirls. I have no idea what's going on here.

[Chris]

2 years in a row with no 1st rounder. This better pan out.

Panthers better suck this year.

[Matt P.]

They may still move back in. They just took two more picks in this draft, where they're already deep. Wishful thinking? Maybe.