EAGLES NEWS

The Birds made their first two selections of the 2009 NFL draft today. First after they were unable to trade up for Georgia RB Knowshon Moreno, they traded up from the 21st pick to the 19th pick in the first round to select Missouri WR Jeremy Maclin. At first I was a bit confused by this pick, but the more I think about it the more I like it. Maclin was a legit top 10 prospect in this draft and to get him at 19 was a real steal for the Eagles. Also he does provide the Eagles with two things they needed. First of all he can come right in and play as the Eagles kick returner which allows Quintin Demps to just focus on being the Eagles new number 1 at free safety. I think it may have been asking a little too much of him to both replace a legend and continue to be the steady kick returner. Secondly, I think he gives them a legit number 3 receiver right now and a future number 2 along side Desean Jackson. Frankly I question whether or not Reggie Brown will even play for the Eagles this season. They didn't even use him at all late last season and seemed to be less than thrilled with his play when they were using him. After getting Maclin the Eagles finished the day by selecting Pittsburgh RB Lesean Mccoy in the 2nd round with the 53rd pick. Mccoy has been described as a younger version of Brian Westbrook, capable of making people miss, whether catching a pass out of the backfield or taking a handoff. Therefore he will immediately provide a one two punch at running back for the Eagles and is capable of becoming their number 1 back in the future. With Correll Buckhalter gone in free agency, and really only Lorenzo Booker behind Westbrook on the depth chart this was a pick the Birds needed to make. All in all I would say it was very good first day of the draft for the Eagles.