A return? Yes. Part 2

Apparently I mixed up my 4th round picks.  I just wanted to make sure to get to Alex Henery.  Anyway:

4. Casey Matthews, LB Oregon
No problem with this pick.  He was a good player in college, probably doesn't have the athleticism to be great in the NFL, but he could develop into a run stopping Jeremiah Trotter type. 
Grade: A-

5. Dion Lewis, RB, Pitt
I thought they might go RB higher, since if Jerome Harrison leaves they won't have a legit backup for Shady McCoy, but this is the Eagles we're talking about.  They don't have use for one running back, much less two.  Still, this is a good pick here.
Grade: A-

5. Julian Vandevelde, G, Iowa
Eh, would have rather seen a backup tackle then another guard here.  He wasn't rated very high and it's hard to get excited about this one.
Grade: C

6. Jason Kelce, C, Cincinnati
Same here.
Grade: C

6. Brian Rolle, LB, Ohio St.
Rolle will never be an every down player, because he is just too small for the position.  But this is the kind of guy who will make a huge difference on special teams.  Works for a 6th round pick.
Grade: B

7. Greg Lloyd Jr, LB, UConn
His dad was a great linebacker for the Steelers, but this was probably one linebacker too many.  Don't see him making the team.
Grade: C

7. Stanley Havili, FB, USC
He's an interesting player.  He's listed as a fullback, but he basically plays like a big running back because he's not much of a blocker.  If he learns out to block, he could be a steal in the 7th. 
Grade: B

Overall
Grading a draft before any of the players have even played is basically an excercise in futility, because nobody knows exactly how these guys will turn out.  What we can grade is the team's draft strategy, and how they picked players based on their projected value.  In that regard, the Eagles didn't do so great this year.  Their first four rounds consisted of several players which could have conceivably been had with a later pick.  However, the Eagles always target the players they want before a draft, and make sure they get them.  If they can't, they trade down.  I like Danny Watkins, but again, you have to question if Gabe Carimi gives you better value there.  In the third round, I think there are higher projected CBs than Curtis Marsh.  Again, these players could turn out to be just fine, but this is all we have to go on right now.  And you still can't defend choosing a kicker in the fourth round to me.  Overall, I don't come out of this draft with a ton of excitement.

Grade: C+

A return? Yes. Part 1

In a return as monumental as Michael Jordan coming back wearing number 45, as stunning at The Rock coming back to Wrestlemania 27, the Better than Tom Stinson Lifting Journal is back.  For now.

I couldn't let an NFL Draft go by without at least saying something, so here's part 1 of my Eagles Draft thoughts.  A little late I know, but hey, not like the NFL season is starting anytime soon:

1. Danny Watkins, G, Baylor

I was not very thrilled when Danny Watkins was announced as the Eagles pick. Two of the Eagles projected top targets, Gabe Carimi and Jimmy Smith, were both on the board and it seemed like a no-brainer that one of them would be in midnight green. The Watkins pick is getting bashed for a couple of reasons. First, he’s 26 years old now, and he’ll be 27 during his rookie season. Second, he most likely could have been had later than the 23rd overall pick. I really don’t care about the age thing. If he was a running back or wide receiver, it would be an issue. But many o-lineman play well into their late 30’s. I can see Watkins easily sticking around for 10 years, despite the fact Andy Reid typically does not keep guys over 30. I think he’ll make an exception this time. Watkins was the best guard throughout the off-season workouts, and I think he’ll end up being a great pick up. The only problem I still have is passing on Carimi. RT is a much more important position than RG, and Carimi offered more value at the pick than Watkins did. Still, Watkins will start from day one and be a good lineman for the Birds.


Grade: B

2. Jaiquwan Jarrett, S, Temple


Many people think Jarrett was a reach in the 2nd round. I really don’t see it that way. This was a very weak draft for safeties, and Jarrett was considered by many as the 2nd best safety in the draft behind Rahim Moore. The Eagles needed safety help with Mikell most likely gone and Nate Allen’s season uncertain with a knee injury. If the Eagles passed on Jarrett at 54, he probably would not have lasted much longer considered the safety class this year. I have no problem with this pick.

Grade: A-

3. Curtis Marsh, CB, Utah State


Admittedly, I had never heard of Curtis Marsh before he was selected. He seems like a talented player who will need to be coached up a bit before he’ll make an impact with the Birds. He’s not going to fill the immediate need that still remains at CB. It’s clear the Eagles will go hard after the top corners in free agency, if we ever get free agency. It seems like maybe this was a bit of a reach again, but from what I’ve read, there’s potential.

Grade: B-

4. Alex Henrey, K, Nebraska
 
It feels strange even putting the letter K next to a draft pick. Sorry, you can try to dress this pick up all you want: he was the best kicker in the draft, David Akers is at the end of his career, etc. This is still a lousy pick. There’s no reason to take a kicker before the 6th round of the draft, I don’t care how good he is. The same rule in fantasy football for kickers applies to real football for kickers. Some idiots will take the “good” kickers early, but there’s no reason to waste an early pick on one. Will he be a good kicker? It seems like he will be, but good kickers can be found elsewhere. Did the Eagles take Akers in the 4th round of the draft? No, they just found him, like most kickers. Waste of a pick.


Grade: D