Open Thread: NFL Draft, Day One

Tim and Sheil will drop in throughout the night with updates from the NovaCare Complex. As always, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments. Note that the most recent updates will be at the top of this post.

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11:15 – The Eagles select Louisville OLB Marcus Smith. He had 14.5 sacks last year and is a versatile athlete. Here is my full video breakdown of Smith.

10:48: Eagles trade the 22nd pick to Cleveland, which took none other than Johnny Manziel. Receive the 26th overall pick and a third-rounder (83 overall) in return.

10:34 – The Packers take safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. The Eagles are on the board. The guess here? USC WR Marqise Lee.

10:23 – The Saints trade up and take Oregon State WR Brandin Cooks. He was a real option for the Eagles. It’s the Packers, then the Eagles. The most likely pick is Marqise Lee. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Bradley Roby are also options.

10:11: Getting closer. Calvin Pryor to the Jets at 18. Darqueze Dennard, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Brandin Cooks, Marqise Lee, Bradley Roby and Johnny Manziel among best available as Eagles’ turn nears.

9:41 – A potential Eagles target off the board: The Bears take CB Kyle Fuller. Of all the defensive backs, he was the best scheme fit. But the Birds won’t get a shot at him. The Rams took DT Aaron Donald at No. 13. Safeties Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Calvin Pryor are still on the board.

9:27 – Another wide receiver off the board. The Giants go with LSU’s Odell Beckham Jr. At No. 11, the Titans took Michigan offensive tackle Taylor Lewan. The next two best wide receivers on the board for the Eagles are USC’s Marqise Lee and Oregon State’s Brandin Cooks. Oh, and Johnny Manziel has not been taken yet.

9:13 – This draft is off the rails. Cleveland goes Justin Gilbert at 8.  Anthony Barr — a potential target for the Eagles — went to Minnesota at 9. The Lions went with North Carolina tight end Eric Ebron.

9:00 – Shady checking in:

I’m waiting on my boy Johnny to come off the board … Best n the draft !!!!!

— Lesean McCoy (@CutonDime25) May 9, 2014

8:55 – Our second receiver is off the board. There will be no trade-up for Mike Evans. The Texas A&M WR is going to the Bucs to team up with Vincent Jackson. The best wide receivers on the board are LSU’s Odell Beckham Jr., USC’s Marqise Lee and Oregon State’s Brandin Cooks.

8:49 – Well, we know which quarterback the Eagles are probably facing in Week 1 now. Surprised the Gus Bus didn’t go with the pass rusher. Rolls with Bortles instead, and Khalil Mack drops to Oakland at 5.

8:35 – And now our first trade! The Bills move up to No. 4 to take Clemson WR Sammy Watkins. I love Watkins, but Buffalo included its 2015 first-round pick in the deal. That’s a steep price. The Browns, meanwhile, move down five spots and will have two first-rounders again next year.

8:30 – We have our first surprise! The Jaguars take Central Florida QB Blake Bortles. And we have our first quarterback off the board. The more quarterbacks that go in the top 21, the better for the Eagles. That will leave more wide receivers and defensive players on the board.

The Rams took Auburn OT Greg Robinson with the second pick.

8:15 – And we’re off. The Texans take Jadeveon Clowney. In Week 9, the Eagles will travel to Houston. J.J. Watt and Clowney? Some nice pieces to work with on that defense.

7:32 – Talked to league source who predicted Anthony Barr will go somewhere between the 8-20 range, and said there is a chance the Eagles will move up to get him.  Everything with a grain of salt, but if he gets beyond 15 or so, worth watching. — TM

5 p.m. – The draft begins at 8 p.m., and the Eagles have the 22nd pick. Here’s a full rundown of their selections over the next three days:

1st round (22)
2nd round (54)
3rd round (86)
4th round (122)
5th round (162)
7th round (237)

Rounds 2 and 3 are Friday (starting at 7 p.m.). Rounds 4 through 7 are Saturday (noon). -SK