NFL Draft: Grading the Eagles’ Day Two Picks

Let’s catch our breaths before the final day of the draft and grade the Eagles’ three second and third-round selections on Friday night.

Round 2 (46th overall) Mychal Kendricks

After the Chicago Bears traded with the Rams to move up to the 45th pick in the draft and selected South Carolina WR Alshon Jeffrey , the Philadelphia Eagles took California OLB Mychal Kendricks.

It’s unclear whether or not Chicago felt the Eagles were interested in Jeffrey, but it seems unlikely.

So unless you had your heart set on new Rams’CB Janoris Jenkins, then you have to believe the Eagles caught another break when Kendricks fell to them at the 46th pick.

The Eagles had their choice of talented prospects such as Brandon Boykin, Bobby Wagner, LaMichael James, and Lavonte David. Each would have been good picks in this spot.

One would have to assume that Kendricks (5-11, 240) will come in and compete for a starting spot at one of the outside linebacker positions.

Jon Gruden called Kendricks, “fast, physical, fearless, and productive” before comparing him to Bears OLB Lance Briggs.

Former longtime Colts GM Bill Polian called Kendricks “blood thirsy” and the second best attacking linebacker in the draft behind only Panthers LB Luke Kuechly.

Grade: A

Round 2 (59th overall) Marshall DE Vinny Curry

The Eagles continued to bolster their defense Friday night when they used the second of their two second-round selections to draft Marshall DE Vinny Curry. Curry (6-3, 266) was predicted by many experts to go late in the first or early in the second-round, so the initial indications are that Philadelphia scored big with this pick.

Curry is the typical “high-motor” player, but he has the production to go with it. He totaled an astounding 77 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, seven forced fumbles and three blocked kicks during his senior season. Yeah, Curry played against Conference USA talent, but those numbers are pretty damn impressive nonetheless.

NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock listed Curry as the 30th best prospect coming into the draft. Curry, considered a sack artist, is certainly a pass-rushing specialist, but can hold his own against the run. He is terrific in pursuit and has a knack for creating turnovers. If Curry plays as advertised and Brandon Graham can finally emerge in his third season, well, good luck to opposing quarterbacks. This line projects to be deep, versatile, and scary good.

Grade: A-

Round 3 (88th overall) Arizona QB Nick Foles

The Eagles used the 88th pick in the NFL Draft to select Arizona quarterback Nick Foles. The Eagles have received rave reviews from fans and experts alike for their first three picks, but the initial fan feedback on Foles has been less than positive.

Foles has ideal size (6-5, 248) and a strong arm, but isn’t particularly mobile and is considered a “project quarterback.” With players like Georgia CB Brandon Boykin still on the board, the selection of Foles is a bit perplexing. The Eagles are a team that many consider to be a legitimate contender in the NFC this season, but he doesn’t figure to provide a boost to the team’s short-term chances (or long-term for that matter).

The best case scenario for Foles includes words like “serviceable,” “respectable,” and “reliable.” Frankly, there’s not a ton of upside here. I wasn’t adamantly against bringing a quarterback into the fold, but that was under the condition that it was someone who could be molded into a potentially elite quarterback. Foles is certainly not that.

Grade: C-