2009 Eagles Draft Prospect List

The Birds are reportedly linked to Nathan Brown through observation at the Senior Bowl.  Brown has started for Central Arkansas since his redshirt freshman season and was voted the Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2007.  Brown, originally listed at 6'2" was measured at 6'05" at he Senior Bowl.  Couple the less than ideal height with a three-quarter release point and the scouts have a problem.  Brown has performed on the field however, with 2008 numbers of 67.7% comp% with 31 TDs to only 4 INTs.  Brown has been compared to Tony Romo (gulp) and projects to be drafted anywhere from the late third to fifth round.  Someone to push Kevin Kolb perhaps?

NFL Draft Countdown Scouting Report

QB - Graham Harrell - Texas Tech

The Birds supposedly took an interest in Harrell at the Senior Bowl, which is interesting, since Harrell's stock took somewhat of a tumble in Mobile.  Scouts got s good look at Harrell's arm strength and were not impressed.  After watching practice, it's hard to disagree. Harrell's likely a 5th to 7th round pick as his best fit would probably come with a squad who runs the West Coast offense.  I tend to think Harrell's just the next Mike Leach creation out of Texas Tech.  Remember Kliff Kingsbury (6th round pick) or B.J. Symons (7th round pick)?  Not so much. 

NFL Draft Countdown Scouting Report

RB - LeSean McCoy - Pittsburgh

Everyone's favorite RB prospect.  The Birds allegedly met with McCoy during the combine last week.  McCoy didn't run at the combine due to illness.  McCoy notched 2,731 yards and 35 TDs in just two seasons at Pittsburgh.  Known as a speedster, McCoy is quick back that runs hard despite his smaller stature.  He's got elite moves in the open field and can catch the ball out of the backfield.  The knock on McCoy is, you guessed it, his blocking skills.  McCoy's got a 1st round grade so look for him to come off the board somewhere in the later in the round.  Wouldn't it be nice to have both a LeSean and a DeSean? 

Scouting Report 

WR - Hakeem Nicks - North Carolina

Hakeem must have had a nice little interview with Andy Reid at the combine - I'll let Nicks tell you personally - from his combine blog:

Among the coaches I met today were Bill Belichik and Andy Reid, who said I would look good with some wings on my helmet.

Of receivers that may be potentially available when the Birds pick (eliminating Crabtree and Maclin) Hicks is by far my favorite.  Harvin may be dynamic, but he's more of a pure athlete than a receiver.  Nicks is a receiver.  He runs good routes and has great hands. The knock on Nicks is that he may not be a big play threat at the next level due to his lack of long speed.  Actual performance debunks this opinion as Nicks scored three touchdowns of 73, 66, and 25 yards against West Virginia in the 2008 Meineke Car Care Bowl.   At the combine, Nicks ran a 4.51, 40, with a nice little 1.52, 10-yard split.  Nicks has the 3rd longest arms in proportion to his body (I made up this metric - who knows if it translates into success - Crabtree is number two, with PSU's Jordan Norwood at number one), and is a large target at 6'1" 212 pounds.  Nicks will be off the board by the late first to mid-second round.  

Scouting Report

Scout.com reported that the Birds has a "long meeting with Parker" during Senior Bowl festivities.  From what I've read, Parker's draft projection is all over the board - as high as the 4th round to not drafted at all.  Parker's had injury concerns (3 knee surgeries) and has minor character issues (arrest for disorderly conduct).  However, Parker has played at a high level against elite competition and is versatile (played both left and right guard as well as center).  We all know this type of versatility excites Andy Reid like a flame broiled quad stacker .  A get the sense Parker's future will depend greatly on his health, physical shape, and interviews  at the scouting combine.

NFL Draft Countdown Scouting Report

Defense

NFLDraftCountdown.com has reported the Birds were observing English, an undersized defensive end out of Northern Illinois at Monday's Senior Bowl practice. English's scouting report reads much like Trent Cole's did in 2005 with the scout's thoughts that he'd have to switch to the OLB position to be effective in the NFL. English has a checkered injury history but his production speaks for itself - 57 TFL and 32.5 sacks in 50 collegiate games.  English is currently projected anywhere from a second to fourth round pick.

NFL Draft Countdown Scouting Report

OLB - Clay Matthews - USC

The Birds have reportedly showed some interest in Matthews, a projected weakside linebacker in the NFL.  Son of Clay Matthews Jr., an NFL Hall of Fame linebacker who spent most of his career with the Cleveland Browns.  Matthews's grandfather Clay Sr. also played NFL football.  Suffice to say, the guy has good pedigree. Matthews was a walk on at USC who really only emerged during his senior season.  Prior to the 2008 season Matthews was projected as an undrafted free agent, however, he's shot up draft boards to a 2nd round grade.  Matthews played with Rey Maualuga and Brian Cushing both who project as 1st rounders come April.

NFL Draft Countdown Scouting Report

CB - Alphonso Smith - Wake Forest

Projected as a late first to early second round pick.  By my observation, I though Smith was the third best looking prospect at the Senior Bowl behind only Corey Irvin of Georgia and B.J. Raji of Boston College.  Smith has better ball skills than Jenna Jamison.  An absolute blazer, with speed to burn - allowing him to gamble, lose his man, and makeup the difference.  Had three interceptions in three practices, including a pick-six of Pat White during Monday full team drills.  Registered a pass breakup during the game.  Twenty-one (21) career interceptions.  Smith main problem is his physical attributes - 5'9" 190.  Struggled a little in press coverage.  Reminds me a little of Lito Sheppard.  

NFL Draft Countdown Scouting Report