Draft Grades

[MDC 7,398]

I'd give the Eagles a solid B, possibly a B+.

 

Philly really strengthened both lines, particularly the OL. Bunkley falling to them was a stroke of luck, and Winston Justice in the 2nd round was a major steal - they would've drafted him in the first round. Max Jean-Gilles in the 4th adds some great depth to the OL. Right now it looks like Herremins will compete with Giles for a starting guard spot and Justice providing depth and insurance at tackle. The OL is much better now than it was a year ago.

 

Bunkley could start immediately at DT; he and Patterson give the Eagles a solid 1-2 punch at DT. I was disappointed that they followed those picks up with a reach in the 3rd round. I think Chris Gocong will be an excellent special teamer but he didn't play LB in college and trading up to take a Division II player wasn't so bright. Giles was a solid pick in the 4th round.

 

Jason Avant is an interesting pick in the 4th. From what I've read he doesn't have great measurables but he made plays at Michigan. The Eagles WR corps isn't very talented but it is suddenly kind of glutted with Gaffney, R.Brown, Pinkston, McMullen, McCants, and now two rookies. Jeremy Bloom is only a special teamer - he sort of reminds me of James Thrash - less of a receiver than a punt returner. Hopefully this will force Mahe out of a roster spot - he sucks.

 

I couldn't say anything about Gaither or Ramsey.

 

Overall both lines are better now than they were a year ago but the big oversight in the draft was the lack of a RB. Philly desparately needs a big, rugged between the tackles RB and they didn't take one. They must like Bruce Perry a lot, but it's a position I'd have liked to seen addressed in the middle rounds.

 

So right now I'll give them a B - the OL in particular has much better depth and talent than they did in 2005, and that was a sore spot for the Eagles. Had they drafted a RB and not reached in the 3rd I would've made it a B+ or higher.

[GhostofMeanMachine99 1]

22. Philadelphia: The Eagles did a solid job, but fans must remember that USC tackle Winston Justice was reminded who he had to block in the national championship game on that critical fourth down and still messed up. The perception is that the Eagles stole him in the second round with the 39th overall pick. They definitely reached on Cal Poly SLO linebacker Chris Gocong while defensive tackle Broderick Bunkley was a no-brainer in the first round. Coach Andy Reid likes skier Jeremy Bloom as a kick returner and slot receiver in a spread formation. Michigan WR Jason Avant has some potential, but no one should confuse him with Terrell Owens. Grade: C

 

The guy (like anyone else associated with Fox, whether it's news/sports, or TV programming) doesn't know his a-hole from his elbow.

 

Why does he feel that Gocong is a reach? Wasn't there a guy named Terrell Suggs who converted from DE to LB a few years back? He seems to be doing very well.

 

Justice misses ONE assignment, and he's all of a sudden a bad player?

 

Buffalo screwed the pooch with that first round pick, so to give those teams an equal grade is ludicrous.

 

I know one internet columnist I'll never read again (and this was the only time I read his drivel, too).