CHIRPING BIRDS- THE DRAFT

My thoguhts on the Eagles draft..

As stated before, the choice of DE Barnett in round 1 was a safe pick. He fills a push-rushing need. That's why the round 2 selection of CB Sidney Jones was so odd. The Barnett pick reeked of Joe Douglas. The Jones pick was all Howie Roseman. It was a reach, drafting a guy who may not play at all in 2017. He may never play, or at least may never play well again. Age is on his side, only 20, rehabbing from a blown Achilles tendon. Would Jones going to be gone before the Eagles' next pick at 99? Probably not, but the Birds didn't want to chance it.

He's a difference-maker, which the Eagles need. So, they will stash him away for a year. Odd because after signing WRs Jeffery and Smith in the off-season to one-year contracts, the organization seemed to signal they were going for the playoffs this season. Waiting on a corner back doesn't jive with the "win-now" mentality.

The Birds did draft a corner later, CB Douglas. I really like the selection of RB Pumphrey form San Diego St., the all-time rushing leader in college football. He more quick than fast, with bursts of speed. He can run between the tackles, and be a three-down guy. He can catch the ball, too, big in Coach Pederson's West Coast offense.

The Birds took a pair of wide receivers on Saturday, a tall, rangy wide-out named Hollins from North Carolina, and a burner named Gibson from West Virginia. Training camp should be interesting, with Jordan Matthews on the last year of his contract, to Nelson Aghalor on shaky ground to even make the team.

Interestingly enough, the Birds held onto Mychel Kendricks and Jason Kelce. Will they be back? Kelce is more likely to return. But the Eagles still need to clear cap space, so trades in training camp may be on the horizon.

Overall, I give the Eagles a B- for this draft. Not crazy about the Barnett pick. The Jones pick may work out in time, but in the short-term, no much-needed help for the secondary. Weapons for Wentz have accumulated, and the offense appears better. I just don't see a difference-maker yet to contend for the playoffs.