Rethinking a draft class is a silly exercise. That's especially true only four games into the season. But with the Philadelphia Eagles off to a 1-3 start, it's hard to overlook the lack of production the team has gotten from its rookie group.
In particular, it looks initially like the Eagles may have made some poor choices with their early picks in the 2011 NFL Draft.
One of the big problems for the Eagles has been the play of the front seven. The Eagles didn't use a single pick in the first three rounds on the front seven, and it's showing in the play of the linebackers.
Additionally, first-round pick Danny Watkins has been inactive for three of the team's four games and third-round pick Curtis Marsh was left off the gameday roster Sunday. Second-round pick Jaiquawn Jarrett has also been little used at safety.
Rethinking the Philadelphia Eagles’ 2011 NFL Draft class
On its defense, Philadelphia likes to have its tackles shoot gaps. That leaves the linebackers more responsible for playing the run when the tackles overrun the play. A player like defensive tackle
could have been a perfect fit for the Eagles in the first or second round. With the
, Casey has been a steady force all season, showing the ability to play two gaps and still get into the backfield. Tennessee is arguably the best team against the run and it’s due in some part to Casey.
The Eagles used three picks on linebackers in this year’s draft, but the first wasn’t until pick 116. That was
who has largely been ineffective all season. It would have made sense for the Eagles to go with
, who also ended up in Tennessee with the 39th overall pick. Of course Seattle fourth-round pick
would have made sense too, but at the time of the draft, few expected him to be quite this good.
Now, in an effort to salvage their defense, the Eagles could look to trade for
, the guy Wright replaced in Seattle.
Of course, the big money secondary featuring
, Dominique Roders-Cromartie and
would then have to be making more plays, which they’ve struggled doing.
Or rookie kicker
would have to start making some field goals. Or the offensive line would have to run block better.
Or maybe the Eagles just aren’t the team everyone thought they were. Yet, at least.
