Eagles Draft at a Glance: Struggling to find DEs

Share

Friday, April 8, 2011
Posted: 3:23 p.m.

By Reuben Frank
CSNPhilly.com

First in a series of 10 stories previewing the Eagles needs going into the 2011 NFL draft. Today: defensive ends. On Sunday: wide receivers.

Andy Reids batting average is not very good when it comes to drafting defensive ends. The Eagles have taken six ends with a premium draft pick (first three rounds) since Reid became head coach in 1999. Forget the Pro Bowl. None of them have even become a full-time starter for the Eagles.

In fact, those six players to date have recorded a combined total of 19 12 sacks in 12 seasons wearing an Eagles jerseyan average of about 1 12 per year.

The jury is still out on the three 2010 rookiesfirst-round pick Brandon Graham, who isnt expected back from injury until the middle of 2011; third-round choice Daniel Teo-Nesheim, who played sparingly this past season as a rookie; and fifth-round pick Ricky Sapp, who is said to be bigger, stronger and faster now than he was coming out of Clemson a year ago.

Because of the Eagles failures drafting defensive endsthe only one theyve taken in the draft since 1999 whos been productive as an Eagle is two-time Pro Bowler Trent Cole in the fifth round in 2005theyve spent a good chunk of the last few years trying to find capable pass rushers off the veteran scrap heap with varying degrees of success.

Do you really think the Eagles would have signed journeymen like Kimo von Oelhoffen in 2007, Chris Clemons in 2008, Jason Babin in 2009 or Derrick Burgess and Bobby McCray last year if their own draft picks had produced? No way. All were products of poor drafting.

Two of the best theyve draftedBurgess in 2001 and Raheem Brock in 2002became terrific starters for other teams, Burgess with the Raiders and Brock with the Colts.

The Eagles go into this years draftonce againwith Cole and a bunch of question marks. Although the presence of Jim Washburn should instantly help everybody on the defensive line, the Eagles dont have any proven outside pass rushers other than Cole and steady but unspectacular Juqua Parker.

They do have a ton of bodies. Maybe Teo-Nesheim or Sapp will blossom in their second years. Maybe Victor Abiamiri can finally stay healthy and deliver a consistent pass rush. Maybe Darryl Tapp or CFL acquisition Phillip Hunt can flourish under Washburn.

Because the Eagles have so many ends under contractseven at last counttheyre not likely to attack defensive end high in the draft. But its still a position of great need, so we expect the Eagles to address defensive end somewhere by the end of the fifth round. Once again.
Whos already on the roster:
Victor Abiamiri, Trent Cole, Phillip Hunt, Juqua Parker, Ricky Sapp, Darryl Tapp, Daniel Teo-Nesheim.
Who has to stay:
Cole.
Who has to go:
None of them are complete disasters. All have enough potential to at least make it to training camp.
How bout this guy?
Ugo Chinasa from Oklahoma State went into the NFL Scouting Combine as an unknown but performed well and worked his way up into the later rounds. Hell probably be available in the fifth round or even as late as the sixth round since hes such a raw prospect. But now that the Eagles have a real defensive line coach, a long-range project could bear dividends down the line.

Chinasa only recorded three sacks last year but had 6 12 as a junior. At 6-5, 265 pounds, he has the type of frame where he can add 10 or 15 pounds in the next year or so and still be effective.

He is a remarkable young man and an exceptional player, Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Bill Young said in an interview on Oklahoma States web site. He listens well, does what he is told and gets the job done. You dont need to tell him twice what to do.

Although Chinasa didnt post huge numbers in college, he played four years with a big-time program that went to four bowl games and averaged nine wins per year while he was in Stillwater.

Im definitely hoping that I get a chance at the NFL, Chinasa said. Its been a dream of mine for a while now, and I hope I can showcase my talents and maybe impress a few scouts.

Did you know?
No defensive end taken by the Eagles in the first three rounds of the draft has ever made a Pro Bowl team as an Eagle. Pat Holmes (1962 third-round pick) made two Pro Bowls as a Houston Oiler, and Derrick Burgess (third-round pick in 2001) made two as a Raider. Hall of Famer Reggie White was a 1984 supplemental draft pick.

Andy Reid defensive end draft history:
John Frank (sixth round, 2000), Derrick Burgess (third round, 2001), Raheem Brock (seventh round, 2002), Jerome McDougle (first round, 2003), Jamaal Green (fourth round, 2003), Trent Cole (fifth round, 2005), Victor Abiamiri (second round, 2007), Bryan Smith (third round, 2008), Brandon Graham (first round, 2010), Daniel Teo-Nesheim (third round, 2010), Ricky Sapp (fifth round, 2010).

Reid's best pick:
Cole with the 146th pick in 2005.

Reid's worst pick:
McDougle with the 15th pick in 2003.

E-mail Reuben Frank at rfrank@comcastsportsnet.com

Related: NFL Mock Draft - Pick No. 13Buy Eagles Gear

Contact Us