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.

Comments

I'd love to hear your reasons why we shouldn't draft a linebacker. Yes, we have TKO and Gaither is figuring things out, but after that it's who? Gocong? Bradley? Jordan? Togafau?

Jordan and Togafau barely made the roster, Bradley is learning but slowly, and Gocong always performed better when he played as a stand-up DE anyway. Why not keep Gocong and develop him as an end that could be used in various coverage schemes, continue to develop Bradley, and bring in someone who can contribute right away to complete a starting trio with Gaither and TKO?

I think that we have bigger problems (read: secondary) than at linebacker, but it's hardly out of the question.

[Mike]

I'd love to hear your reasons why we shouldn't draft a linebacker. Yes, we have TKO and Gaither is figuring things out, but after that it's who? Gocong? Bradley? Jordan? Togafau?

Jordan and Togafau barely made the roster, Bradley is learning but slowly, and Gocong always performed better when he played as a stand-up DE anyway. Why not keep Gocong and develop him as an end that could be used in various coverage schemes, continue to develop Bradley, and bring in someone who can contribute right away to complete a starting trio with Gaither and TKO?

I think that we have bigger problems (read: secondary) than at linebacker, but it's hardly out of the question.

[mb]

I see the team getting a WR through FA or trade (what is Javon Walker worth?) and taking the best player available on D next year. I (disclosure: Jayhawk) would love to see Aqib Talib in Iggles green, as he could be a returner, too. I'd like to see that as the MO: FA for big holes at the harder to learn skill positions, and then taking best player available in the draft. And Andy will definitely build from the inside out.

[Dave B from OC]

I think if a big OT is available in the first round, the Birds would have a hard time saying no.

[Dannie]

I think they need to get a real #1 receiver as their top priority mainly because it supports the decision to keep McNabb and trying to win now while he can still play at Pro Bowl level. Then definitely addressing the need for a DE to work with Cole. They should be waiving Kearse (apparently his house is on the market now) unless they can restructure his $65M deal down A LOT. Then add depth on the O-line and in the secondary.