The Eagles’ stated draft strategy is to take the best player available. Like others on this forum, I suspect their actual strategy differs. I hope that they draft the players who, they believe, are most likely to improve the team, currently and over the long term. Debates on draft strategy are often about balancing current and long-term needs, and the Eagles seem to focus on the long-term, too much in my view.
One way to draft successfully is to identify relative bargains, something that the Eagles have sometimes done. The classic example is Brian Dawkins, drafted in the second round. As I recall, that pick was roundly derided at the time, because safeties were then typically drafted in later rounds and Dawkins was considered a corner/safety tweener. Since then, in part because of Dawkins, safeties like him are often drafted in the first round. The Eagles were also ahead of the curve in drafting Randall Cunningham, Keith Jackson, and Jerome Brown. I’m not sure who the relative bargains are in this draft, but it may be traditional fullbacks who can block well, move the pile, and catch a pass in the flat once or twice a game.
A second draft strategy is to try making the offense or defense dominant enough to carry the team. A dominant offense or defense needs playmakers, which are difficult to identify in the draft, even among the top few picks of the first round. I doubt that the Eagles can use this strategy successfully, drafting in the second half of the first round. For that reason, for example, I doubt that the Eagles will draft a wide receiver in the first or second round, unless that receiver is a superior punt and kickoff returner (who could be a playmaker on special teams).
A third draft strategy is to try to shore up the weakest unit of the team (offense, defense, or special teams). I think the last couple of years, the Eagles have lost too many games because of their special teams, and that would be my focus in this[ draft. That focus does not mean that the top draft picks should necessarily be drafted to play on special teams. For example, if the Eagles could draft Chris Williams of Vanderbilt with their 19th pick, I hope they do it. I also hope that they draft a defensive lineman early in the draft. In recent years, they have carried 10 offensive and 10 defensive linemen, looking for replacements for Thomas and Runyan and trying to reinvigorate their defensive line. I think that they would be better off if they carried only 9 of each. Carrying the additional linemen has hurt their special teams, since they carry fewer smaller players, which make up most of the special teams. It has also hurt the team, because special teams is a good place for young, talented players to make an impact right away and gain experience.
A final draft strategy concerns how to balance athletic ability, college performance, and character in potential draftees. I like the Eagles’ take on character. They also seem to emphasize performance and ability in the first round of the draft, and take more risks on athletic players with more limited experience as the draft goes on. I like that approach, although the Eagles sometimes give short shrift to athletic ability in the early rounds. (Freddy Mitchell and Barry Gardner anyone?) I like the idea of drafting for potential in the late rounds, and so was not upset that the Eagles drafted Barksdale in the 6th round last year, because his upside seemed so great.
Any thoughts?
One way to draft successfully is to identify relative bargains, something that the Eagles have sometimes done. The classic example is Brian Dawkins, drafted in the second round. As I recall, that pick was roundly derided at the time, because safeties were then typically drafted in later rounds and Dawkins was considered a corner/safety tweener. Since then, in part because of Dawkins, safeties like him are often drafted in the first round. The Eagles were also ahead of the curve in drafting Randall Cunningham, Keith Jackson, and Jerome Brown. I’m not sure who the relative bargains are in this draft, but it may be traditional fullbacks who can block well, move the pile, and catch a pass in the flat once or twice a game.
A second draft strategy is to try making the offense or defense dominant enough to carry the team. A dominant offense or defense needs playmakers, which are difficult to identify in the draft, even among the top few picks of the first round. I doubt that the Eagles can use this strategy successfully, drafting in the second half of the first round. For that reason, for example, I doubt that the Eagles will draft a wide receiver in the first or second round, unless that receiver is a superior punt and kickoff returner (who could be a playmaker on special teams).
A third draft strategy is to try to shore up the weakest unit of the team (offense, defense, or special teams). I think the last couple of years, the Eagles have lost too many games because of their special teams, and that would be my focus in this[ draft. That focus does not mean that the top draft picks should necessarily be drafted to play on special teams. For example, if the Eagles could draft Chris Williams of Vanderbilt with their 19th pick, I hope they do it. I also hope that they draft a defensive lineman early in the draft. In recent years, they have carried 10 offensive and 10 defensive linemen, looking for replacements for Thomas and Runyan and trying to reinvigorate their defensive line. I think that they would be better off if they carried only 9 of each. Carrying the additional linemen has hurt their special teams, since they carry fewer smaller players, which make up most of the special teams. It has also hurt the team, because special teams is a good place for young, talented players to make an impact right away and gain experience.
A final draft strategy concerns how to balance athletic ability, college performance, and character in potential draftees. I like the Eagles’ take on character. They also seem to emphasize performance and ability in the first round of the draft, and take more risks on athletic players with more limited experience as the draft goes on. I like that approach, although the Eagles sometimes give short shrift to athletic ability in the early rounds. (Freddy Mitchell and Barry Gardner anyone?) I like the idea of drafting for potential in the late rounds, and so was not upset that the Eagles drafted Barksdale in the 6th round last year, because his upside seemed so great.
Any thoughts?
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