Pancake Blocks Mock Draft: Pick No. 19
The longer this draft gets, the longer the writeups for the picks get. That's good because I'm struggling to keep it interesting here during magazine season. Andy G. has the honors for the Eagles. I heartily endorse the pick.
I've spent some serious time thinking about who to take in this situation and the more I thought about it the more i've become convinced that the Eagles will be moving up in this draft. The current list of available players is unacceptable for the Eagles. The most glaring needs that necessitate a 1st round pick are OT, WR and S. All of the top OT's are off the board and I don't want to reach for Gosder Cherilus.
The top S Kenny Philips doesn't blow me away either and I don't think he is worth reaching for, also I feel that we can get a safety later in the draft. That leaves WR, which I don't think the Eagles will do in the first round, at least i would be shocked if they did. If we could trade up I would have packaged Lito Shepperd and the 19th pick and moved up to take one of the top OT's.
Regardless, the situation being what it is, I am surprised to still see Devin Thomas on the board. McNabb and Westbrook have been asking for offensive help and I'm sure Thomas can help. Devin Thomas will make an immediate impact as a KR/PR which the Eagles desperately need. We need to give the offense a shorter field to work with, the Reno Mahe stage is over. The Eagles do have a history of not playing rookies, or burying rookies on the depth chart. However, I do think that Thomas has the skills to be the 3rd receiver in his first year, whcih would allow us to get Kevin Curtis in the slot where he should be.
This pick might not be the high profile WR all Eagles fans were hoping we would get, but Devin Thomas is a player with great upside who could shortly develop into a fantastic WR. He is clearly an upgrade over Jason Avant, Hank Baskett and Greg Lewis, and in time he could easily surpass Reggie Brown. Once again let me reiterate that I can not see the Eagles sticking with the 19th pick, they are going to have to move up to get the players they want. I think it's far more likely and reasonable to see us grab a WR in the second round. So...
With the 19th pick in the 2008 Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles select Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan St.
2008 Pancake Blocks Mock Draft
1. Miami Dolphins (Scott L.) - Chris Long
2. St. Louis Rams (Evan Silva) - Glenn Dorsey
3. Atlanta Falcons (Troy Hill) - Matt Ryan
4. Oakland Raiders (Stephen G.) - Jake Long
5. Kansas City Chiefs (Jeremy S.) - Darren McFadden
6. New York Jets (John B.) - Vernon Gholston
7. New England Patriots (Gregg R.) - Sedrick Ellis
8. Baltimore Ravens (Ryan F.) - Leodis McKelvin
9. Cincinnati Bengals (Jacob C.) - Ryan Clady
10. New Orleans Saints (Scott K.) - Keith Rivers
11. Buffalo Bills (James N.) - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
12. Denver Broncos (Taylor C.) - Chris Williams
13. Carolina Panthers (Matthew W.) - Derrick Harvey
14. Chicago Bears (Zone) - Branden Albert
15. Detroit Lions (Adam P.) - Rashard Mendenhall
16. Arizona Cardinals (Scott C.) - Aquib Talib
17. Minnesota Vikings (Tim L.) - Jeff Otah
18. Houston Texans (Jimmy) - Mike Jenkins
19. Philadelphia Eagles (Andy G.) - Devin Thomas
Comments
I'd say Kevin Curtis is a similar receiver to Ed McCaffrey, Tom Waddle, Wes Welker or Brandon Stokley. That is to say tough, gritty, smart, though unathletic.
Posted by: Eli | April 16, 2008 01:49 PM
Maybe this guy can help McNabb's FF value. Talk about Tough To Rank, McNabb is the hardest of the QBs I think. As a Dallas fan I'm sure glad the iggles didn't get their hands on Moss.
Posted by: b roo | April 16, 2008 02:10 PM
curtis is insanely athletic. he runs a low 4.4. welker is a generous 4.6 guy (its why he wasnt drafted). curtis can be productive from the slot. he has the ability to move around and play all three positions. but he is a burner. welker is not. welker is a shifty slot receiver with great hands and instincts. curtis is a phenomenal athlete and a speedster. i'm not talking about him "catching a couple of longballs last year." im talking about him consistently doing that when he's had the chance to play outside. like when isaac bruce was hurt in 2005, curtis caught 31 passes for 444 yds (14.3 YPC) and five TDs in seven games of starter type snaps.
i understand the eagles wanting to upgrade their receiving corps, but it shouldnt be because curtis is a poor fit as an outside receiver. your problem last year was reggie brown not separating. curtis might only be a No. 2, fair enough, but he isn't someone you want in the slot all the time. you dont maximize his speed there.
Posted by: evan | April 16, 2008 02:14 PM
hmmm, How about a trade with the Pats to give them Lito Sheppard and a shot at a LB they are interested in while giving Philadelphia a shot at Clady? That may work for all...
Posted by: Brian | April 17, 2008 07:08 AM
Hope Bucs takr Brohm at 20. Best QB in draft.
Posted by: Cammee | April 17, 2008 10:00 AM
His previous high 4.6 is better then his low 4.6 because it was done on current turf.
He actually did a diservice, by running a slightly faster time. Bad call if he couldn't guarantee a blazing 4.2 or 4.3 on astro turf.
Posted by: Anonymous | April 17, 2008 12:00 PM