NFL Draft Needs: Philadelphia Eagles

This is the first in a series of articles addressing team needs for the 2011 NFL Draft. We will be focusing on the three biggest needs per team and examining a division each week, starting with the Philadelphia Eagles and the NFC East.

In a division that the Cowboys were supposed to run away with, the Eagles shocked the league by taking the East and reinventing Michael Vick’s career in the process. Vick and the Eagles were clearly one of the most exciting teams in the league in 2010, but ended the season in disappointing fashion with an early exit in the Divisional round of the playoffs. Although a 10-6 record and an NFC East title didn’t seem to be in the cards for Philly at the beginning of the year, an early exit to the eventual Super Bowl Champs in the first round of the playoffs was still a disappointment. Andy Reid and the Eagles front office have several areas to focus on improving in 2011.

1. Offensive Line: With the most mobile quarterback in the NFL at the helm the Eagles still finished 29th in the NFL with 49 sacks allowed. Jason Peters received yet another undeserved Pro Bowl bid and the rest of Philly’s o-line was exposed all season. There are several options that Philly can explore with the 23rd overall pick. Boston College’s Anthony Castonzo and Colorado’s Nate Solder would be huge improvements over Winston Justice at right tackle. Florida’s Mike Pouncey would be a major upgrade over Nick Cole and Todd Herremans at either guard position and would be a stalwart in the middle of Philadelphia’s line for years to come.

2. Cornerback: Ellis Hobbs’s career ending neck injury against the Giants was one of the most disturbing images of the 2010 season. His loss leaves the Eagles with a huge whole at the corner opposite All-Pro Asante Samuel. With LSU’s Patrick Peterson and Nebraska’s Prince Amukamara almost guaranteed to go in the top 15, the Eagles may want to wait until round two to go after a corner. Miami’s Brandon Harris and Texas’s Aaron Williams are borderline first round talent but might be worth taking a shot on.

3. Linebacker: Stewart Bradley’s concussions and season-ending elbow injury are reasons for concern. Ernie Sims didn’t come close to living up to expectations and Moise Fokou is probably better suited as a back-up. The Eagles are in a tough position at this pick with the Colts, Chiefs, and Giants picking before them and all having serious needs at linebacker. If UCLA’s Akeem Ayers or North Carolina’s Bruce Carter are available at 23, Philadelphia is going to have a tough time justifying passing them up.