On the Clock: Philadelphia Eagles

BasX · Mar 26, 2009

Teams needs: Left tackle, running back, wide receiver

Dream scenario: It would be easy to complain about the Eagles' plodding approach to free agency, but don't forget those two picks in the first round. There's a good chance they stay put and select a running back and an offensive lineman at Nos. 21 and 28. But Andy Reid told us Wednesday at the owners' meeting that he already has enough ammunition on the offensive line -- as long as he rotates some players around.

I think there's still an outside chance the Eagles package a couple of picks and take a run at Anquan Boldin. That seems like the dream scenario for most Eagles fans -- and perhaps Donovan McNabb. Boldin would be a nice complement to DeSean Jackson, and Philadelphia could then focus on reinforcing the offensive line with its other first-round pick. If the Eagles stay put at No. 21, don't rule out Georgia running back Knowshon Moreno. The Eagles think he'd be a nice fit in the West Coast offense. In this offense you don't have much need for the so-called big back. In theory, that's what Leonard Weaver's supposed to be.

Plan B: Though he won't admit it, I think Reid knows he needs to bolster his offensive line. He thinks Todd Herremans played at a Pro Bowl-level and that Shawn Andrews will return to being an elite player. Why start moving those guys around if you can land a starting left tackle in the draft? Seems like some tackle (Andre Smith?) always starts falling in the first round. But this team is well aware of the pitfalls of taking the falling star (see Winston Justice). This appears to be a relatively deep draft at that position, and I think Reid's just posturing with all this talk of movement along the line.

Scouts Inc. take: The Philadelphia Eagles' No. 1 concern going into free agency was addressing the wide receiver position, and two weeks into the process, it is still the biggest issue they need resolved. Even though they drafted and got a solid rookie performance in 2008 out of DeSean Jackson, I do not think he is ever going to be a true No. 1. Kevin Curtis, Reggie Brown, Hank Baskett and Jason Avant are never going to be No. 1 receivers.

While the Eagles could opt to draft another receiver early in the process, the wide receiver position is the toughest to develop quickly at the next level. The Eagles' best option right now is to go after Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin. The Eagles have multiple picks in the first round and while I do not believe Boldin warrants a first-round selection, the Eagles pick at the bottom of the first round, and this has to be looked at as potential trade bait.

The Eagles are a playmaker at wide receiver away from being a legit Super Bowl contender. They can't find a receiver who can have an impact like Boldin would have as a playmaker or in his ability to open up the field for the other receivers I mentioned with their pick at the bottom of the first round. With Donovan McNabb still playing at a high level and many of the pieces in place to make a run in 2009, the Eagles need to make a move for Boldin prior to the draft. -- Jeremy Green, Scouts Inc.

Who has final say? Reid still has the final word, and it's been that way for years.
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On the Clock: Philadelphia Eagles

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On the Clock: Philadelphia Eagles

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