Very Detailed Eagles Draft Review
By Zachary Best
If you have never done so, make sure you check out The Scouts Notebook. They made this in depth review on the Iggles draft, and they have a great knowledge of the entire NFL Draft.
EAGLES DRAFT REVIEW
47. Trevor Laws, DT Notre Dame
49. DeSean Jackson, WR California
80. Bryan Smith, DE McNeese State
109. Mike McGlynn, OG Pittsburgh
117. Quintin Demps, FS UTEP
131. Jack Ikegwuonu, CB Wisconsin
184. Mike Gibson, OT California
200. Joe Mays, MLB North Dakota State
203. Andy Studebaker, SLB Wheaton
230. King Dunlap, OT Auburn
Philadelphia also acquired a 1st round pick in 2009 from the Carolina Panthers, a 5th round pick in 2009 from the Cleveland Browns and running back Lorenzo Booker for a 2008 4th round pick from the Miami Dolphins.
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2nd RD – 47. Trevor Laws, DT Notre Dame – 6-foot-1, 304 pounds
Career Stats:
207 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, 7 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, 6 blocked kicks
Workout Numbers:
Bench Reps – 35
40-yard dash – 5.09
Vertical Leap – 30.5”
Broad Jump – 8’7”
Short Shuttle – 4.49
Three Cone – 7.37
Matt Alkire’s Notes
This is a kid who I think has really raised his stock this season and should end up drafted in the Top 100 with a solid combine and Senior Bowl. Coming into the season I saw him as more of a backup or rotational guy, but this year he has shown there is certainly potential there to start at the next level.
Laws isn’t a player that is going to wow you with his athletic ability, however he seems to always be around the ball and had over 100 tackles this season as a defensive lineman. Call it hyperbole if you will, but his performance should have gotten him a mention for Heisman, not that I think he should or would win. Laws is a gritty player. He is exceptional with his hands and uses leverage well. Laws finished his high school wrestling career with a 142-5 record and was the No. 1 high school wrestler in the nation as a junior. That history in wrestling is obvious when you watch him on the field. He uses his hands to shed very well, is very physical at the point of attack, stays very low to the ground and while his sack totals may not be high, he moves to the ball very well because of his ability to get off blocks in many different ways. His field awareness is above average as evidenced by the number of batted down passes and tackles he had. Great motor and hustles on every play. He played DE in Notre Dame’s hybrid 3-4 as a senior, but is best suited for a four-man front or even at nose tackle in the 3-4. While I don’t see him as a pure pass rusher type he could certainly be a Kelly Gregg type of player. Active, tough and frankly, under appreciated by most. He makes tackles, get sacks, has a knack for blocking kicks, knocks down passes and is a team leader. That makes up for what he may lack in athletic ability in some departments.
At this point I think Laws could be a starting tackle in the NFL or at least be a third tackle for a team who likes to heavily rotate their interior lineman. Obviously the offseason testing plays a large role, but the one thing I know is that this kid certainly shows up on tape in every game and has been one of the only bright spots for the Irish this year. Should be taken in the first 50 picks.
After the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine Laws has shown what he’s capable of. I don’t see him sneaking into the 1st round, but he should be taken very high in the 2nd round.
Tommy Lawlor’s Notes
Played 3-4 DE as a Senior after being a DT in the past. Had a great Senior season. What Trevor lacks in natural gifts he makes up for with hustle and instincts. Amazingly, Trevor led ND in tackles, sacks, and blocked kicks as a Senior. He “only” finished 2nd in TFLs. The last DT I can think of who either led his team in tackles or came close was Kelly Gregg at Oklahoma. Laws is quick off the ball. He uses his hands exceptionally well. He was a great HS wrestler and you can see that in his playing style. Leverage is huge for him. Trevor stays low and is able to use his short frame to his advantage. He has an uncanny knack for getting to the ball. He’s got the instincts of a good MLB. Laws went to the Senior Bowl as an overachiever. He played so well down there that you have to remove that label somewhat and just acknowledge that this kid is a very talented football player.
Tommy’s Summary
I think Tampa 2 teams will covet Trevor for the role of Under Tackle (what Warren Sapp played in Tampa). He’s not as explosive as Sapp, but has a great motor and is better at shedding blocks with skill. I think Laws will be an early 2nd Round pick. It would not shock me to see him sneak into the late 1st.
Senior Bowl Notes: Laws did what he always does…made plays. Trevor had 6 tackles, a sack, and a fumble recovery. He was quick off the ball. Badly beat Robert Felton with a good spin move. The thing he did that impressed me most was take on double teams. Trevor got low and held his ground. He ate up blockers, but didn’t get moved. That is impressive for a guy that “only” goes 297. Really helped himself this week. Used good inside move to get pressure. Chased plays down from behind a couple of times. Had the best spin move of anyone in the game. I don’t see how he makes it to the 3rd round at this point.
ANALYSIS:
Laws compares favorably to Mike Patterson in his build and playing style. As mentioned, he was a tremendous wrestler at the high school level and is the type of high-motor defensive tackle that will fit in nicely in the interior rotation in Jim Johnson’s defense. He should come in as a rookie and be able to contribute immediately, giving the Eagles a ton of hustle off the bench. Keep this in mind. Trevor played 4-3 DT as a Junior. He moved to 3-4 DE as a Senior, led the team in tackles, and had the best year of his career. That shows you that he is a quick learner and can adjust to different schemes/roles. That will help him a great deal in Philly with all of the packages that Johnson likes to run.
We had Trevor rated as the 32nd best player in the draft and the Eagles got him were he was very good value at pick 47. Why the need to take a defensive tackle so high you ask? Think of how effective Jim Johnson’s defense has been when he’s had talented backups in the tackle rotation. Guys like Sam Rayburn and Paul Grasmanis (another Notre Dame player) gave the Eagles and extra boost in previous years coming off the bench. Laws will do just the same. Also, Laws is a fifth-year senior with a lot of experience, so if Bunkley or Patterson were to get injured this season he would definitely be able to step in and help fill that void.
Trevor may not be a workout warrior, however he is definitely a gamer that I believe will have Eagle’s fans very excited over the next few years. His best friend also happens to be Victor Abiamiri, something that won’t hurt him coming to a new place. This was a very good pick by the Eagles.
2nd RD – 49. DeSean Jackson, WR California – 5-foot-10, 170 pounds – Junior
Career Stats: 162 catches for 2423 yards and 22 touchdowns as a receiver – 38 punt returns for 633 yards and 6 touchdowns (16.7 yard average)
Workout Numbers:
Bench Reps –
40-yard dash – 4.35
Vertical Leap – 34.5”
Broad Jump – 10’2”
Short Shuttle – 4.19
Three Cone – 6.90
Matt Alkire’s Notes
Jackson is very fast and is elusive with the ball in his hands. He knows where he’s at on the field at all times and does a good job dragging his feet on the sideline. Most teams wouldn’t press him due to his speed in college and with his smallish frame I wonder how he would fare getting off the jam in the NFL, however he is quick off the line and can eat up a pad on a corner in a heartbeat. I like DeSean’s hands, but they’re not great, just good. There seems to be a lot of talk that he isn’t a tough receiver, but I saw him make a few catches this season leaping in traffic and getting laid out. He does a nice job adjusting to the ball and while he isn’t very tall, he will go up and grab jump balls.
One thing you’re getting out of Jackson that adds a ton of value is his punt return ability obviously. I wonder how high that will put him in the draft. Last year we saw a bit of the “Devin Hester Affect” when Tedd Ginn Jr. was taken in the Top 10. Jackson isn’t the player Ginn is, but will that put Jackson in that 10-15 range? We’ll see. He’s clearly not as fast as Ginn, but he’s a better receiver in my opinion.
My biggest question is whether DeSean can play the slot and handle the beating on a weekly basis. He obviously has the speed to be a downfield threat and play the X receiver, however if a team wants to utilize him in the slot I wonder how he’d adjust to it. We’ve never seen him have to play there.
Jackson weighs 169 pounds. I love him as a prospect, especially in the return game, but that scares me to death. I don’t know what to think on his value. As of 4/2 I have him as a late 1st rounder, but I’m hearing 2nd or 3rd round from some scouts.
Tommy Lawlor’s Notes
Only a Junior. Very elusive. Makes guys miss. Catches the ball with his hands. Makes things look easy when he has the ball. Almost effortless. Starts and stops well. Has good vision. Sloppy route runner. Doesn’t look crisp. Rounds his cuts too much. Can go down for the ball. Not afraid to take hits. Will get out-muscled by bigger CBs. Caught a short pass vs ARZ, but had to go up and snatch the ball. Came down and got 10 RAC yds. Took big hit from Hefney vs UT, but held onto the ball. Ran an End Around for good gain vs UT. Caught 26 yd TD vs Oregon. Faked the corner out with a good fake on a post-corner route. Adjusted to the ball by turning around and catching it cleanly above his head. Has an uncanny ability to make guys miss. Ran an out ‘n up vs Oregon and got 31 yards on the play. Had a great TD vs Oregon. Caught a short pass at the 25 yd line. Hesitated half a second and got the CB to relax. Used a burst to get by him and then used good speed to get down the sideline for the TD. A DB was in pursuit, but could not catch him. Turned a short, safe pass into a 31 yd TD. Knows how to elude a jam. Caught deep ball on #24 of USC. Slowed down for the pass and didn’t let CB bother him.
Explosive RS. Had 5 PR TDs in 2006. Returned punt for TD vs UT in the season opener. Amazing return. Caught the ball on the left side and worked his way to the right side. Made several defenders miss. Once he got wide, turned up the field and outran everyone to the endzone. Excellent vision, speed, and burst. Very elusive. Great balance. Looks deceptively strong.
Tommy’s Summary
Very good WR, great PR. His value is up in the air. Ran really well at the Combine, but also weighed in at just 169. Could go anywhere from the teens to the end of the 1st round. Should make an immediate impact as a returner. Needs to polish his receiving skills, but could develop into a very good X-receiver. Not only is he fast, but it is a smooth, controlled speed. Should develop into a good playmaker.
ANALYSIS:
Simply put, the Eagles added a playmaker. DeSean scored 29 TDs in 3 years. Reggie Brown had 12 TDs in his 4-year career. The Eagles didn’t get a workhorse receiver who will catch a ton of passes. They got a guy who makes things happen when he gets the ball. He makes plays on short passes, downfield throws, handoffs, and as a punt returner. The first pass DeSean caught at Cal went for a TD. The first punt he returned at Cal went for a TD. He is a legit big play threat every time he touches the ball.
Jackson was a player who was initially being compared to Ted Ginn this season and was originally predicted by many to be a mid 1st round pick, however at 170 pounds he scared some teams away. Jackson has been the star of the show everywhere he has been. He came out of legendary Long Beach Poly High School, could have gone anywhere in the country and ended up being a star at California. I actually still have my notes on him from the 2005 U.S. Army All-American Game:
DeSean Jackson/WR – Brilliantly talented. In the first quarter he caught a bomb from Mark Sanchez for a TD and Jackson showed a ton of speed. It was called back on a penalty that had nothing to do with the play. Then, he caught another pass and took it down the sideline…as he hits the 5 yard line he does a flip in the air to showoff and ends up landing at the 1 yard line…ball is ruled dead…no TD. Dumb move. He also made 5 or 6 amazing plays in the game and threw a TD to Ryan Perriloux on a double reverse. He ended up with 7 catches for 141 yards and 1 TD and a touchdown pass. He should have had 8 catches for 200 yards and 3TDs. Very talented kid but, acted like a jerk at times. He was the most impressive offensive player in my opinion. Won the MVP award for the game. If he can calm down the showboating this kid will definitely be an absolute playmaker at the collegiate level and should one day be taken high in the NFL Draft.
Jackson has a high ceiling and I won’t hide the fact that I coveted him greatly for the Eagles, however there are some concerns about him. First of all, he’s always had a reputation for being difficult. He was difficult at that All-American game, he was difficult at Cal at times and that didn’t help him. I’m sure he’s matured, but you want to see him be a team guy while he shows his own flash. He’s also only 170 pounds. That’s tiny. People will come back and give names like Santana Moss or Antwan Randle-El, but they’re shorter and still weigh in that 185-pound range. I do worry about him staying healthy and getting off jams in the NFL. That said, he’s got extremely good speed, is a big-time playmaker and has the potential to be one of the better punt returners in the NFL.
Some will criticize this pick by the Eagles as he is not an “immediate impact”. I disagree. The Eagles had a total of 113 kick and punt returns last season. Andy Reid has said that DeSean could be doing both for them. That is 113 opportunities to make a play happen. The Eagles ranked 24th in the NFL in both punt and kick return averages last season. They need a playmaker in that third facet of the game as we’ve seen what players like Antwan Randle-El, Devin Hester, Brian Mitchell and Dante Hall can do for a team with field position.
As a receiver, Jackson could develop into the future at the X-receiver and also gives the Birds flexibility in three-receiver formations. He can go in motion to keep off the jam, work out of the slot or kick Kevin Curtis into the slot where he’s been extremely productive in the past and give them a big-play threat with great speed on the outside. Jackson is never going to be a bulky receiver, but if he stays healthy (which he always has) he could end up being a nice big-play threat for the Eagles on special teams and in the passing game.
[b]3rd RD – 80. Bryan Smith, DE McNeese State 6-foot-3, 246 pounds[/b]
3-year starter. Career stats: 31 sacks, 52 TFLs, 178 tackles, 9 FFs.
Workout Numbers:
40-yard dash – 4.66
Vertical Leap – 36”
Broad Jump – 9’9”
Short Shuttle – 4.31
Three Cone – 7.20
Tommy Lawlor’s Notes
Bryan was a dominant player at McNeese State. He was 2-time Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He started at RDE and absolutely terrorized QBs in his 3 years. He can be very quick off the ball. He’s got an excellent burst and is very tough to block when he times his get-off just right. Bryan shows an understanding of pass rushing moves. He is mainly an outside rusher, but will mix in inside moves on a regular basis. He sells the fact he’s headed wide, then shoots inside the tackle once he is committed to blocking the edge. Bryan is fast and has good closing speed. He stays low when he does rush wide (can’t help but remind you of Trent Cole). He uses a shoulder dip to get under blockers. He plays with good balance. You rarely see him knocked to the ground. Despite lacking ideal size, Bryan will play the run well. He extends his arms into the blocker to keep his body clean. He uses his hands well does a pretty good job at shedding blocks. He locates the ball well and runs hard in pursuit. He’s a high motor guy. Tackles can drive him off the ball if he doesn’t have good leverage. He can get washed inside on some edge runs. Bryan has skinny lower legs and that doesn’t give him the kind of power base you need vs the run. He’s got quick feet and is a very agile player. I never saw Bryan play anywhere other than RDE at McNeese. I never saw him drop back into coverage. He was exclusively the RDE in the two games I studied. At the I-AA level, Bryan was a dominant player. He also fared well when facing D-I schools. I watched him vs South Florida and he was dominant at times in that game. He also played in the Hula Bowl. He played LB in that game, but held up well vs good competition. He looked athletic and proved he wasn’t just a small school overachiever.
ANALYSIS:
This was a very interesting pick. We didn’t have Bryan slotted as a top 100 player. Also, most teams had him listed as a LB. Bryan played in the 210 range early on at McNeese State. He was in the 225-230 range this year. He weighed 231 at the Combine and 240 at his Pro Day. Smith mentioned in an interview being up to about 246. The increased weight will help him at DE, but he still has more of a traditional LB build.
The Eagles had Marques Murrell on the Practice Squad last year. He was about 6’3, 240. They signed Chris Clemons this year at 6’3, 250 or so. Now they draft Smith at about that size. It seems they are interested in keeping around guys that are pure pass rushers.
There is some room for criticism with this selection. Smith went earlier than expected. The Eagles are bucking the trend by keeping him at DE. I don’t think they would have made the pick if: 1) they didn’t believe in his potential as an NFL pass rusher and 2) they didn’t think another team was about to take him. Remember the story about the Jets and Chris Gocong. If you really want a player, take him. Don’t get cute with dropping back and hoping he’ll be on the board just to add a late pick.
This was not a good year for edge rushers. The pickings were pretty scarce outside of the 1st round. If this is the guy the Eagles wanted, they did the right thing by taking him. And do understand…Bryan Smith is a good pass rusher. His 31 career sacks are a result of mixing good athletic ability with natural pass rushing skills.
4th RD – 109. Mike McGlynn, OG Pittsburgh – 6-foot-4, 309 pounds
Four-year starter, mostly at right tackle. Never missed a game. Also served as Pitt’s long snapper.
Workout Numbers:
Bench Reps – 30
40-yard dash – 5.36
Vertical Leap – 23”
Broad Jump – 8’5”
Short Shuttle – 4.72
Three Cone – 7.58
Matt Alkire’s Notes
McGlynn is flat-out one of my favorite players to watch in the entire draft. Extremely aggressive guy with a nasty attitude and non-stop motor. Gets his knees bent, brings his lower body and can be a very effective drive blocker. When he gets his mitts on someone he can really control them and create rushing lanes. Very big up top. Does a decent job getting to the second level, however that is where you start to see the lack of athleticism with McGlynn. He looks a bit awkward in the open field and while he is always looking for someone to hit, he will get off balance and not be able to secure guys at times. I’d take him as a short area blocker over most of the draft class though. In pass protection he does not show very good footwork and has trouble with quicker defensive tackles. Reaches at times and will get off balance.
Played really well in the Senior Bowl. You could tell he took tips from the coaches and was using them in his game. His base looked widened and he wasn’t lunging much in pass protection. Was very physical in his drive blocking and played with a ton of fire. Had a quick chip on a lineman and then sealed a linebacker to let RB have 28 yard pickup.
I wish I could take his fire, effort and drive and put it into a more athletic body. I think he’ll eventually become an NFL starter if he takes to the coaching he receives and could be very effective for a team looking for more of a short-area guy. I would take McGlynn in the 4th or 5th round. If he was a touch more athletic I’d grade him out Top 100.
Tommy Lawlor’s Notes
Played some RG, some RT. Comes off the ball well. Aggressive player. Keeps his feet active. Not a natural pass blocker. Not smooth as he retreats in pass-pro. Has to turn and open up to the defender. Gets to the 2nd level okay, but will miss some guys out in space. Finds someone to block. Not a good athlete, but a high effort guy who will block to the whistle. Best suited to playing RG for a team that runs the ball a lot. A lot of fun to watch. Really gets after it. Some teams have talked to Mike about moving inside to Center.
Tommy’s Summary
Mike plays with more effort than talent, but don’t sell him short. He gets the job done and could develop into a starting G in the NFL. Biggest problem will be dealing with quick, athletic DTs.
Senior Bowl Notes: Played LG. Made short pull and took out LB. Couldn’t get him on the ground, though. Got shots on DL when he was unoccupied in pass pro. Missed block of Adibi in space on a screen pass. Xavier then made the tackle. Got some push on Mattison when he got his hands on him. Ellis beat him one-on-one in pass pro. Hit QB. Ellis beat him again in pass pro and caused QB to get hit, fumble.
ANALYSIS:
McGlynn was one of the players in this draft I really wanted as he’s just the type of lineman that loves to get in the trenches and grind it out. He plays very physical and with a chip on his shoulder. He and Jon Runyan should get along just fine and I expect to see Mike in some fights off to the side in training camp this summer. The Eagles interior linemen needed a kick in the butt and Mike is definitely the type of player that will do that as he leaves everything on the field. Scott Young came in as a converted defensive tackle and we all hoped he’d eventually turn into a steal, however that has not happened. Max Jean Gilles still has not been getting his weight in check and perhaps the motivation of having a hard worker like McGlynn behind him will finally flip the switch in his head that makes him reach his potential.
McGlynn may also have the ability to play center and if you’ve read Jamaal Jackson’s recent comments that he fears for his job if he doesn’t improve, you see another example of what this pick could do for the interior line that wasn’t great last year. McGlynn is a very good short area blocker and can be a mauler, but isn’t the most physically gifted guy you’ll come across. He could definitely be a starter at the NFL level, but I believe in the worst case scenario you have a quality backup at the guard position that you’re comfortable with if someone gets injured for a long period of time. This also gives the Eagles the option of eventually kicking Todd Herremans or Shawn Andrews out to right tackle if they indeed want to do that.
4th RD – 117. Quintin Demps, FS UTEP – 6-foot, 206 pounds
Career Stats: 215 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles, one blocked kick, 20 passes defended, 17 interceptions returned for 404 yards and 3 touchdowns – also a return guy – 15 punt returns for 200 yards, 35 kickoff returns for 773 yards and one touchdown (22.1 average)
Workout Numbers:
Bench Reps – 16
40-yard dash – 4.38
Vertical Leap – 31.5”
Broad Jump – 9’2”
Short Shuttle – 4.14
Three Cone – 6.90
Matt Alkire’s Notes
Demps is an extremely productive player who intercepted 17 passes during his career at UTEP, three of which he returned for touchdowns. One thing you look at with a player who causes turnovers is what he does with them and Demps picked up 404 yards on those interceptions, averaging 23.7 yards per return. He was also an effective kick and punt returner for UTEP. Demps seems to have a knack for finding the ball in the end zone. He returned two interceptions 100 yards in his senior season and picked off a pass in the end zone of the Senior Bowl which he returned well. Demps shows good man coverage ability and played some cornerback due to injuries. He has very good instincts in the passing game and is a very good centerfielder. Demps also has very good hands for a defensive back. He is solid tackler and will come up and play the run, however he is far from an impact hitter. There is something to be said for a player that makes something happen every time he gets the ball in his hands whether it’s an interception, punt return or kick return.
I value Demps anywhere from the 2nd to 3rd round. There isn’t another player in the draft at safety as productive as he was at safety with his level of talent. He didn’t play against the best level of competition, but he certainly has the ability to play and start at the NFL level.
Tommy Lawlor’s Notes
Played some CB due to injuries. Very productive player and a big time playmaker. Picked off 17 passes in his career, including 5 this year. 2 of those INTs came in the endzone and were run back 100 yards for TDs. Plays the passing lanes well. Anticipates throws and will jump routes. Plays the ball aggressively. Has good hands. Wrap-up tackler, but doesn’t drive through the target with force. Quick feet. Good COD. Can come up quickly in run support, but doesn’t do that consistently and isn’t a big hitter. Much more of a cover guy than a run defender. Didn’t play centerfield much. He’s got the skill set to be good at that, but I didn’t get to see him do it as often as I’d like. Good, but not great athlete. Doesn’t have the hips to play CB. Played in the Senior Bowl. Picked off a pass in the endzone.
Has both PR and KOR experience. Returned 15 punts for 200 yards (13.3 per PR). Ran back 35 kickoffs for 773 yards and 1 TD (22.1 per KOR). Quintin isn’t a dynamic return guy, but simply makes things happen when he’s got the ball in his hands.
Tommy’s Summary
Safety prospect who specialize in coverage and making plays. Lacks ideal hitting/tackling ability, but makes up for that with his ball skills. Could go as high as the late 2nd or slide down to the early 4th.
Senior Bowl Notes: Pretty good game. Good tackle on opening KO. Picked off a pass in the endzone and ran it back 27 yards. Mirrored the QB as he rolled out. Tried to stay between the QB and where he thought the receiver was. Had okay coverage on Smith on a seam route. The ball was overthrown. Covered Bowman in the slot on the play where he made the TD/non-TD catch. Q was in good position. Didn’t make a play on the ball. Doesn’t look like an instinctive hitter/tackler. Reads the QB well. Looks smooth in backpedal. Had Washington running up middle and waited on him rather than attacking. Had tight coverage on Rucker, but pass was completed.
ANALYSIS:
The Eagles like productive safeties. Quintin Mikell finished his college career ranked second all-time in school history with 401 tackles and set an all-time NCAA record for forced fumbles with 8 as a senior which has since been beaten. JR Reed had 18 career INTs and was a very good KOR. Demps is another very productive safety, having intercepted 17 passes over his career. One thing to note, look at what he’s done with his interceptions. He’s averaged 23.8 yards per return on them and has scored 3 touchdowns. That is a playmaker at free safety.
He played some cornerback in college and gives the Eagles a free safety that is very good in coverage as well. This is an aggressive safety against the pass as you can see. Depending on how the Eagles see Sean Considine in the future this could be Brian Dawkin’s heir apparent. Many people wanted 1st or 2nd round safety and the truth of the matter was that no guys were worth the pick as a free safety in those areas. Also, safety isn’t a position that you need to take that high all the time to find quality starters. Brian Dawkins went at the bottom of the 2nd round.
Demps gives them yet another option in the return game, can play special teams and could see the field on certain passing downs early. He obviously won’t be supplanting Brian Dawkins, however he is a talented athlete that can learn from one of the best ever while Eagle’s fans hope he becomes the future. I personally thought this was a great pick, both in fit and value wise as I believed Demps could have been as high as a 2nd round pick.
4th RD – 131. Jack Ikegwuonu, CB Wisconsin – 5-foot-11, 193 pounds – Junior
Career Stats: 91 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble, 29 passes defended, 6 interceptions returned for 89 yards and a touchdown
Workout Numbers:
Ikegwuonu did not work out because of a knee injury he suffered while preparing for the NFL Combine. You can find unofficial 40-yard dash times on the internet, but we do not use them when looking at a player.
Matt Alkire’s Notes
Only a junior. Easily one of my favorite players in the draft if he chooses to come out. Very compact in his backpedal with quick feet and has a quick transition into his turn to stay with receivers. Does a great job in man coverage and just shows great hips. Ikegwuono also looks to have excellent speed and is very tough to get away from. Defended 15 passes as a senior and also had an interception. Had 29 career passes defended and six interceptions for his career. My biggest concern here is his lack of turnover production. I have seen him stick to people like glue, however he should be picking off more passes then he is. The technique, ability and speed are there, but the numbers aren’t. Add that to him being only a junior and I wonder where he’ll land in the draft.
Ikegwuono absolutely shut down Mario Manningham in the 2007 Michigan game. He did slip and fall to give up one touchdown to Mario, but otherwise he was a huge thorn in his side. Had an interception and four pass breakups in the game.
I have Ikegwuono as a mid 1st rounder before the Combine.
Was arrested for burglary during his junior year after stealing an X-Box.
Injured in Arizona pulling a sled. Unsure as to when he’ll be back or if he’ll be back. For now he’s obviously out of the 1st round and we’ll see what happens with the injury before getting into where his draft value is.
Tommy Lawlor’s Notes
Only a Junior. Outstanding cover guy. Presses well. Very quick feet. Fluid, athletic player. Really sticks on his receivers. Very good break on the ball. Will hit WRs. Excellent PBU vs ILL. Played off, then flew up to hit WR on slant and knock the ball out. So-so tackler. Will wrap-up, but doesn’t look comfortable doing it. Broke up a pass along sideline in the UM game. Very fluid hips. Moves and turns with ease. Played some STs. Downed a punt inside the 10 vs UM. Gets a very good, physical jam at times. Can be too physical. Was called for penalty vs UM. Picked off pass late in UM game. Had tight coverage on Manningham and the QB forced a ball into tight coverage. Shadows the best WR all over the field. Seems to really enjoy the challenge of trying to shut down a good receiver. Can be physical or play off. Tough and athletic in coverage ability. Does get some Safety help over the top, which allows him to tightly stick on guys.
Tommy’s Summary
Tore his ACL while training for the Combine. Might not be ready for the 2008 season. Has 1st round value when healthy, but the ACL makes him a mid round pick at the highest. I’m thinking probably 5th round or so.
ANALYSIS:
Before his injury we had Jack as a possible Top 15 pick and quite frankly, he could have ended up in the mix with Leodis McKelvin and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie if he performed at the Combine like some people thought he could.
Jack is a very good cover corner with extremely quick feet that is very impressive in press coverage, but can play off as well. Unlike the Eagles, Wisconsin had him mirror the opponents’ best receiver, so he has faced some good ones. He fell to the 4th round because he tore his knee up pretty badly pulling a sled in preparation for the Combine. His agent Drew Rosenhaus says he’ll be ready for this season. I highly doubt that. At this point Eagle’s fans will have to hope he makes a complete recovery and retains his speed as it is a strong point in his game. If he does, they could end up with an absolute steal in this draft.
Ikegwuonu certainly has the ability to be a starting cornerback in the NFL when healthy and just needs to work on turning that large amount of pass deflections into interceptions. I expect he will be stashed on injured reserve for the 2008 season in hopes that he is fully recovered in 2009 and ready to play. There is no reason to rush him back as this is a pick you want to boom, not bust.
6th RD – 184. Mike Gibson, G/C Cal – 6-foot-4, 305 pounds
Career stats: Started 21 games over the last two seasons. Transferred to Cal from a JC.
Bench Reps – 31
40-yard dash – 5.27
Vertical Leap – 27”
Broad Jump – 9’2”
Short Shuttle – 4.64
Three Cone – 7.21
Tommy’s Notes
Played RT in 2006, LT in 2007. Gets to the 2nd level well. Good effort guy. Needs to sustain blocks better. Doesn’t have LT feet. Moves okay, but not LT good. Solid drive blocker. Gave up sack vs OSU when he was beaten with an inside move. Can anchor well in pass pro. Plays with a wide base. Has an okay hand punch. Sloppy with his hands. Needs to do a better job of hitting target. Played RG in the Shrine Game. Was up and down. Looked good as a run blocker, but struggled in pass pro. That is somewhat expected. He spent the last two years dealing with edge rushers then moved inside to battle DTs. Big difference. Had a very good workout at the Combine.
Tommy’s Summary
Experienced and athletic, but the position switch hurts his value a bit. Could be a mid round selection.
ANALYSIS:
Played RT and LT at Cal, but will shift inside with the Eagles. Mike doesn’t have the footwork or height to start at tackle, but could play out there in an emergency. Andy Reid already told Mike he’ll get some time at G and C. He fits the Eagles M.O., bringing in guys who played tackle in college and moving them to G or C. You can think of him as a lesser version of John Welbourn.
Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan are free agents at the end of the year. If Todd and/or Shawn are moved outside, the team will need interior OL for depth. Gibson is likely to be a Practice Squad player this year, but definitely has NFL ability. He’ll need a little time to adjust to his move to the interior of the line.
6th RD – 200. Joe Mays, MLB North Dakota State – 5-foot-11, 245 pounds
Career stats: 3-year starter. Had 285 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 29.5 TFLs, and 4 FFs.
Workout Numbers: (from an unofficial source)
Bench Reps – 21
40-yard dash – 4.70
Vertical Leap – 33.5”
Broad Jump – 9’3”
Tommy’s Notes
Downhill LB. Likes to attack upfield. Has a thick, powerful build. Thumper. Can really hit targets with some pop. Fights to get off blocks. Not afraid to really battle OL. Plays inside runs pretty well. He’s stout when plays come at him and nimble enough to move to the ball when it goes away from him. Has good feet and looks quick. Good tackler. Had part of a sack vs Minnesota when he blitzed up the middle and worked his way to the QB. Likes to attack up the middle. Has some agility. Hustles to the ball, but doesn’t look like he runs that well. Think of him as a taller, but slower version of Buster Davis. Played in the Texas vs Nation all star game. Had a solid showing, but didn’t stand out. Made one tackle in KO coverage and looks like a good ST’er. The main concern with Joe is his top speed. At best, he looks like a 2-down MLB.
ANALYSIS:
I don’t know what to make of this pick. The Eagles have been adding faster LBs the last couple of years. Joe is more of a 2-down run stuffer. I wonder if he’s not being brought in to potentially move to FB. He could be an outstanding lead blocker if they did put him there.
If they do leave him at MLB, this move is more about ST’s than anything. Joe could be a very good in kick coverage. He’s not afraid to throw his body around and destroy whatever is in front of him.
6th RD – 203. Andy Studebaker, SLB Wheaton – 6-foot-3, 250 pounds
Career stats: 3-year starter at DE. Had 111 tackles, 50.5 TFLs, and 30 sacks. Started all of 2005 and 2006. Only played in 5 games as a Senior before suffering a foot injury.
Workout Numbers:
Bench Reps – ?
40-yard dash – 4.60
Vertical Leap – 36.5”
Broad Jump – 10’7”
Short Shuttle – 4.14
Three Cone – 6.81
Tommy’s Notes
Andy put up 30 sacks in 2 ½ years as a starter. He was an incredibly dominant player at the D-3 level. He has legit NFL athletic ability. I didn’t have any Wheaton game tape. I was only able to watch Andy in the Texas vs Nation all star game. Played both sides at DE. Quick off the ball. Agile. Pretty good COD. Doesn’t have much of a power rush. Needs to use his hands better. Has trouble shedding blocks. It isn’t due to lack of effort, though. Good motor. Will chase plays downfield or out wide.
ANALYSIS:
I’m not sure Andy could play DE in the NFL beyond being a situational rusher. I do think he’s got good potential at LB. I was very impressed with his quickness, agility, and ability to flip his hips and run. In that sense, he reminds me of Gocong. I don’t know that he’s got the strength and power to be anything more than a situational rusher at DE.
I think the Eagles will check him out at SLB and MLB. He’s athletic, has a good motor, and pretty good size for those positions. I think the goal is for him to be the backup SLB in the future. Rocky Boiman has that spot now, but only signed a one-year deal. At the least, Andy could be a good role player on defense and very good addition to the ST’s unit.
7th RD – 230. King Dunlap, OT Auburn – 6-foot-9, 310 pounds
Career stats: started 20 games over the last two years. Mainly played on special teams prior to that.
Workout Numbers:
Bench Reps – 21
40-yard dash – 5.27
Vertical Leap – 30”
Short Shuttle – 5.00
Three Cone – 8.19
Tommy’s Notes
Huge guy with some athletic ability. Doesn’t consistently play with fire or passion. He was benched as a Senior in favor of a Freshman for not playing hard enough or well enough. Also had an elbow injury that affected him. Has NFL size and ability. Great frame. Plays with a wide base. Okay knee bend. Needs to anchor better. Also needs to lock on to defenders better. Gave up sack vs LSU when DE shed block and stepped inside him to the QB. Sloppy with his hands. Throws them out, but with little effectiveness. Needs to be more physical and aggressive as a run blocker. You see that on some plays, but not consistently.
Tommy’s Summary
Has the potential to play LT in the NFL. That alone should get him drafted. The fact he was benched as a Senior is going to kill his value.
ANALYSIS:
You can’t coach size. King has that. He’s also got the potential to play LT in the NFL. He needs a coach to really push him to play harder and more aggressively. He’s too much of a gentle giant.
King was worth the pick because of his potential, but will only make it in the league if he focuses and works his tail off. He’s not a lazy player, but is too laid back. He got away with that in college because of his size. NFL defenders will eat him up if he doesn’t get more physical and aggressive. When he bends his knees and extends his arms, King covers a tremendous amount of ground in pass protection. The biggest boom or bust pick of the Eagles draft class, but that’s okay in the 7th round. If Juan Castillo can get him to play to his potential, the Eagles would have a major steal on their hands.