What They’re Saying About the Eagles

Here’s a roundup of what the national media are saying about the Eagles this week.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. plays GM for every team. If he were Howie Roseman, he’d be happy with a haul of USC WR Marquise Lee, Georgia Tech OLB Jeremiah Attaochu and Oklahoma CB Aaron Colvin in the first three rounds:

If Lee seems like an obvious pick for Kelly, a talented player he’s faced before at a need position, just remember I’m doing the picking here. But I still like the fit. Lee dealt with a knee injury that slowed him down and concentration issues that caused some drops in an underwhelming junior year, but he’s got piles of great tape, is a good route-runner and moves easily and swiftly in and out of his breaks. With the top two safeties off the board, I feel like Lee is a sensible pick in this slot and a player my coach will know how to utilize. Attaochu can be a help at outside linebacker, and I need added depth and talent in the pass rush. Colvin is a value grab in Round 3. He tore his ACL during Senior Bowl practice, but had Colvin been healthy right now, we’d be talking about him as a possible late first-round pick, a good corner with experience at safety, which is a need here. He could help late in the season and be a starter next year.

Doug Farrar of SI.com has the Eagles taking UCLA guard Xavier Su’a-Filo at No. 22:

Chip Kelly’s Eagles have already let DeSean Jackson walk, and guard Evan Mathis, one of the NFL’s best at his position, might be next — according to several rumors — because he wants a new contract. If Mathis is indeed on his way out, there’s no better option in the draft than Su’a-Filo, one of the most physically imposing and nasty guards I’ve seen in the last decade. An outstanding technician, Su’a-Filo gets under the pads of defenders and rocks them back on a regular basis, frequently adding hits at the whistle to emphasize his point. He has the movement skills to play in any system, and the intelligence to pull it off at the NFL level. If he lasts until the 22nd pick (and I’m of the opinion that he shouldn’t), the Eagles would have their Mathis replacement right here.

Bucky Brooks of NFL.com says Oregon State WR Brandin Cooks would be a perfect fit for the Eagles:

Chip Kelly surprised the football world when he released a Pro Bowl receiver coming off a career year, but I have a sneaky suspicion that the wily play caller believes he can replace him in the draft. Cooks is the ideal candidate to fill DeSean Jackson’s role as the explosive playmaker in the passing game. The Biletnikoff Award winner is a polished receiver with exceptional route-running skills and strong hands. He can thrive in the slot or the perimeter in the Eagles’ scheme, while giving Kelly another weapon to target in the screen game. Now, I don’t know if Cooks will be able to replicate Jackson’s production in Year 1, but his overall game is more polished than the veteran at this stage of his career. Thus, I can see Kelly making a strong play to add Cooks as his designated playmaker on draft day.

Rob Rang of CBSSports.com has the Eagles taking Ohio State CB Bradley Roby:

Chip Kelly is, of course, most known for offense but during his tenure at Oregon, his Ducks featured terrific cornerback play, as well. The Eagles took a significant step in improving upon their 30th ranked pass defense by landing former New Orleans Saints’ safety Malcolm Jenkins but more help is needed. Roby struggles a bit with consistency but the tools are there to warrant top 20 consideration.

Dane Brugler of CBSSports.com also likes Roby to the Birds:

Chip Kelly, who watched Roby in person at Ohio State’s pro day last week, wants to get faster and tougher on defense and the former Buckeyes’ cornerback will help accomplish that with his natural speed and aggressive mentality.

Lance Zierlein of The Sideline View has the Eagles going with Auburn edge rusher Dee Ford.

Jonathan Tamari has a good DeSean Jackson column up on Sports On Earth:

In Washington, Jackson recently told Redskins writers, “People will understand and see the real DeSean Jackson and not see the painted picture that was put out of me before.”

After six years in a spotlight, though, the only thing that’s clear is that the real Jackson is as unpredictable as a harmless swing pass turned into a score, or an incompletion blown into a tantrum. Either way, it’s almost always spectacular. At any moment, Jackson may do something you’d never seen before, something you’ll always remember. It’s what makes him a rare athlete even among the elite: He’s impossible not to watch.