Philadelphia Eagles Draft Review

1st Round, Pick #23: Danny Watkins (Guard Baylor)

Some people don't like this pick because Watkins is already 26 years old. However I love it. The Eagles are a team that are built to win now and Watkins is a tough mature kid you is ready to step in and contribute from day 1. The Eagles have some question marks at both right guard and right tackle. Watkins is better suited to play the guard spot, but played both left and right tackle in college and could play some right tackle if needed. Either way Watkins is going to be a good fit in Philly where he'll bring a physical blocker style that will help open holes for LeSean McCoy and help protect Mike Vick's backside.

Grade- A-

2nd Round, Pick #54: Jaiquawn Jarrett (Safety Temple)

I'm a big fan of Jarrett and think this is a good fit. However, I think the Eagles went a round too early on him. Jarrett wasn't too highly ranked and they likely could have gotten him about 20 picks later. But its hard to fault a team for going after a guy they like who fits their style. Jarrett is a strong run defender that tackles well and is very instinctive in the run game, who draws a lot of comparisons to former Eagle Brian Dawkins. He isn't great in pass defense, but won't be asked to match up too frequently. Add in that Quintin Mikell is a free agent and will be asking for a big pay day and you might have another young building block, to go along with last years star rookie Nate Allen.

Grade- B

3rd Round, Pick #90: Curtis Marsh (CB Utah State)

Going into this off season the Eagles had a big hole at the cornerback position opposite of Asante Samuel. Many thought they'd go after Jimmy Smith, but they passed on him to go offensive line. I think this was a huge reach for Marsh, as his talent level just doesn't justify this high of a selection. Curtis Marsh isn't going to be plugged in right away, but Marsh is still learning the position and is a good fit in their scheme. The Eagles like to play press coverage where they want their corners making plays going forward, which he is O.K at. Despite him being a good fit, Marsh just does not have a high upside, and will never develop into anything more than an average depth guy.

Grade- D+

4th Round, Pick #116: Casey Matthews (LB Oregon)

A lot of people like to draw comparisons between Casey and his brother, but that's not a good comparison. Clay is a much more physical, and stronger player. Casey is no slouch, but he doesn't have the physical skills of his brother. Matthews is a good fit with the Eagles because they love to blitz their linebackers, and Matthews has the motor, quickness, and pursuit skills to be effective. Matthews will get his chances to play because the Eagles play a lot of linebackers, and they almost always seem to get hurt. The fact that Matthews can play either outside or inside linebacker really helps his chances with the team. Also look for Matthews to make an impact on special teams coverage units.

Grade- B

4th Round, Pick #120: Alex Henery (Kicker Nebraska)

You don't see kickers getting draft before the sixth round too often, but when you do you know that its an impact guy. This selection also brings an end to the David Akers years in Philly. Henery is a extremely accurate kicker who also has a strong leg. Henery also has experience punting, so if anything happens to Sav Rocca the Eagles have a fall back option. This is a good selection, but for any team that has some big holes, taking a kicker is going to be a little questionable.

Grade- C+

5th Round, Pick #149: Dion Lewis (RB Pittsburgh)

Philly is notorious for not running the ball, but rather they rely on the screen game ,and short passes to mimic a typical running attack. So they want running backs that are quick and can catch the ball. They have a solid starter in LeSean McCoy that isn't a speedster but has good hands and a burst. Dion Lewis is basically a poor-mans Shady McCoy, same skill set, just not on as high a level. He has good hands and has shown that he can carry a load. Philly doesn't have a lot of depth at the position, so Lewis will have an opportunity to rotate in and provide some relief for McCoy.

Grade- B

5th Round, Pick #161: Julian Vandervelde (Guard Iowa)

Here is another attempt to add depth to an offensive line that has struggled with injuries and pending free agency. Why the Eagles decided to reach for somebody who was a mediocre starter in college, and really has very little talent, in the 5th round is beyond me. Vandervelde isn't the huge specimen that Andy Reid usually likes out of his lineman, but he has a low center of gravity and they think he can succeed at the guard position. This is horrible value, and I would be shocked to see him on the roster 2 years from now.

Grade- F

6th Round, Pick #191: Jason Kelce (Guard Cincinnati)

The Eagles have had trouble at center the past two years with starter Jamaal Jackson has suffered season ending injuries both years. Kelce isn't going to take over, but he could be groomed to become the eventual replacement. Newly hired Howard Mudd is a offensive line guru and is getting a lot of late round picks to mold. Kelce has the ability to play both center and guard which will help his chances of making the team, but he is very limited athletically, and its going to be an uphill battle for him.

Grade- C-

6th Round, Pick #193: Brian Rolle (OLB Ohio State)

Interior offensive lineman and linebackers seem to be the trend for the Eagles this year. Ignoring holes at cornerback could come back to bite them, but that might be a tactic to try and get Nnamdi Asomugha to become an Eagle. As for Brian Rolle, the Eagles are getting a midget linebacker (5-11 220) who will need to grow about 4 inches and put on about 3 pounds to have a legitimate chance of playing on defense. He'll have to earn a spot on special teams.

Grade- F

7th Round, Pick #237: Greg Lloyd Jr. (OLB Connecticut)

What do you know, another linebacker. That makes three for this draft. I guess the message is being sent to the Eagles current linebackers that their jobs aren't safe. However Lloyd might not be the guy to do so. Not being blessed with his dad's athletic ability, Lloyd is even further hampered by a knee injury his senior year. I seem like a broken record, but if Lloyd wants to make this team he'll have to make an impact on special teams.

Grade- D

7th Round, Pick #240: Stanley Havili (FB U.S.C)

After a string of crappy picks the Eagles finally got a good one. You don't see a whole lot of starters taken in the 7th round, but the Eagles might have gotten one here. I'm very surprised Havili lasted this long because of his versatility and his ability to help an offense. Havili isn't a prototypical blocking fullback, but he is adequate. What is really going to help Havili is his impact in the passing game. Havili has very good hands and is a good route runner. With Leonard Weaver not coming back, Havili will battle Owen Schmidt for the fullback job. With Havili's offensive skill set look for him to win this job and provide an inside runner, blocker, and receiver out of a position that doesn't normally get that.

Grade- A