Free agency is waning down and the Draft is just a handful of days away. It’s time to sit down and go over every teams free agent acquisitions and losses, along with their team needs. Using that information we will figure out a Plan of Attack for the 2012 Draft for each team. We’ll start with the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants and work our way down one day at a time, to the Indianapolis Colts and the first overall pick.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Team Needs: DT, OLB, QB, S, TE
Free Agent Additions: OT Demetrius Bell, DT Antonio Dixon (resigned), OT King Dunlap (resigned), OT Mike Gibson, DT Derek Landri, G Evan Mathis (resigned), OT Steve Vallos, DeMeco Ryans (acquired in trade)
Free Agent Losses: DE Jaqua Parker, WR Steve Smith
Round 1:
Potential Targets: DT Fletcher Cox, DT Dontari Poe, DT Michael Brockers, QB Ryan Tannehill, S Mark Barron, LB Luke Kuechly
Round 2:
Potential Targets: S Harrison Smith, S Brandon Taylor, DT Brandon Thompson, DT Kendall Reyes, DT Devon Still, OLB Zach Brown, LB Bobby Wagner, QB Brandon Weeden, QB Kirk Cousins, QB Brock Osweiler, TE Dwayne Allen
Round 3:
Potential Targets: QB Nick Foles, DT Derek Wolfe, DT Josh Chapman, DT Billy Winn, S Antonio Allen, S George Iloka, S Markelle Martin, OLB Nigel Bradham, OLB Terell Manning, OLB Sean Spence, TE Orson Charles, TE Ladarius Green, TE Michael Egnew
Plan of Attack: The Eagles hold the 15th pick in the first round and should target a defensive tackle with that pick. Andy Reid loves drafting tackles more than Rex Ryan loves feet, so he won’t have a problem pulling the trigger on one early. Fletcher Cox from Mississippi St. has got to be their no. 1 target. He has good size and is explosive off the ball. He can provide pass rushability up the middle and is stout against the run. He is also 21 years old so he cans still grow, and his best ball is yet to come. Other defensive tackle options would be Dontari Poe, or Michael Brockers. The team could also be in the market for a QB and there is a slim chance they could move up for Tannehill. They have an extra second rounder that they could package along with a future first, if they beleive Tannehill can be the heir apparent to Vick. Mark Barron would also be considered if he were still on the board when the Eagles are on the clock, as he would finally fix their issues at safety.
The Eagles hold two picks in round 2 and assuming they get their defensive tackle in round 1 then they will likley look at a safety and quarterback. The team would be thrilled to see Notre Dame’s Harrison Smith fall to them in the middle of the second round. He is a willing tackler with enough speed to cover receivers one on one. His balls skill are also above average, and he would really solidify their secondary. If he’s gone the team could look at either LSU’s Brandon Taylor or Antonio Allen from South Carolina. With their second choice in round two, the team should look for a quarterback to groom. They could choose Brandon Weeden if he’s around but his age might lead them astray as the guy they take will likely sit a year or two before playing. Michigan St.’s Kirk Cousins is probably a third round talent, who the team could be willing to take a round early to ensure they land him. He doesn’t have a huge arm or is overly athletic, but he is accurate and is a winner. He could come in and learn the Eagles’ system for a year or two and then take over when Vick retires or declines.
In round 3 the Eagles could add a pass catching tight end or add depth at outside linebacker. Brent Celek is a nice player but they could use one more seam stretching tight end to pair with him. In round 3, there is a chance Orson Charles falls to them. He is very fast and has good hands, but his recent DUI arrest may push him down the board. They could also look at Missouri’s Michael Egnew or Louisiana-Lafayette’s Ladarius Green. While a tight end could be considered, it’s more likley the Eagles go with a linebacker here. They fixed their issue at MLB with the DeMeco Ryans trade, but still lack depth on the outside. Some guys they could add would be Sean Spence from Miami, Nigel Bradham from FSU or NC St.’s Terrell Manning.
View more Plans of Attack Here
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