Eagles To Draft DE?

I realize this is a tad early, but what's a fan of a non-playoff team to do besides think about free agency and the draft?  So let me just put out there the idea that more and more I'm becoming convinced the Eagles are going to be looking to draft a defensive end in the first round this year.

I realize the secondary has a couple of question marks and (especially) Brian Dawkins isn't getting any younger.  But I think many of the people arguing for a first-round safety are falling into the analytical trap of assuming there are set roles that have to be filled based on the personnel the team now has.

What I mean by that is we've grown so accustomed to seeing the Eagles defense led by a Hall of Fame safety that we just assume that's the way things have to be.  In reality, there aren't very many Dawk-type safeties in the league, so rather than worrying about "replacing Dawkins" the Eagles just need to worry about getting as much playmaking potential as possible on that side of the ball.  If that's a safety, great.  If it's a defensive end, that's fine too.

So while I'm not sure I buy all the numbers here, I do think it's pretty clear that pass rush needs to be on the agenda.  And if you look at the Eagles' needs, you have to think they're really not going to invest a first-rounder in these places:

• Quarterback (duh)
• Running back (double duh)
• Offensive line
• Wide receiver (couldn't contribute for a couple years)
• Linebacker (for many reasons)
• Defensive tackle (set there)

That leaves tight end, secondary and defensive end.  While all of those are in play -- and to some extent dependent upon the talent available in draft and free agency -- we know the Eagles like to spend high choices on the lines.  And we also know that it's a position where you can't have too many bodies, so having the trio of Cole, Thomas and Abiamiri under contract for a few years won't preclude bringing in another guy.

Of course, if the guy they want isn't there, then the backup plan is probably to draft one of those speedy "tweener" guys later in the draft and use him the way they started with Trent Cole to generate instant pass rush. 

Yeah, I know, I'm not feeling particularly well-organized today.