Eagles Work On Offense In 3rd Day Of The Draft

Iowa WR Marvin McNutt.

The Eagles continued to have a very strong draft in Day 3.


They used their 4th round selection to take Georgia CB Brandon Boykin, a very good value at Pick #123. 


Boykin is an extremely versatile player, so much so he actually contributed to the Bulldogs Offense as well as on the Defensive Side. He scored 1 TD receiving, and 1 TD rushing, and would be a perfect fit into the Wildcat formation, if the Eagles choose to use it.


On the Defensive side of the ball, Boykin had 3 INTs, all which came against SEC teams. He also is an extremely good return man, tallying 4 KRTDs in his 3 year career at Georgia.


He will challenge Joselio Hanson for the Nickel back position.


In the 5th round, the Eagles turned to the Offense, drafting Purdue OT Dennis Kelly. Kelly is a massive Tackle, standing at 6-8, 321 lbs. In the 2011 season, Kelly only missed 3 out of 796 snaps. Not the sexiest pick ever, but indeed a solid one.


The Eagles had two picks in the 6th round and stayed on the Offensive side of the ball, selecting Iowa WR Marvin McNutt and Miami OG Brandon Washington.


I believe McNutt was one of the most underrated WRs to come out of the 2012 Draft. In his Senior season with the Hawkeyes, McNutt led the Big 10 in receiving yards with 1,315 yards (16 yards per catch) and set a school record with 12 Touchdowns. He does not necessarily fit the typical description of an Eagles Wide Receiver, but possesses star qualities. His effort has been called in to question, but a big target like McNutt to compliment the speediness of Maclin and Jackson would be a great asset to Michael Vick.


A projected 3rd-4th rounder, Washington fell all the way to the Eagles late in the 6th. He started 15 games at LG, and 12 games at LT. In the 1,727 snaps Washington took, he was penalized only 8 times. Washington is a good run blocker, and his massive 320 lb. frame makes it hard for Defensive Linemen to get into the backfield.


With the Eagles last selection, they chose Kansas St. RB Bryce Brown. Brown is a very interesting story. Once the most coveted High School football player in America, many forgot he was still playing anywhere. Brown committed to Tennessee, and spent one season there, totaling 460 yards and 3 TDs on 101 carries. 


Once Lane Kiffin left for USC, Brown transferred to Kansas St. Brown was forced to sit out the '10-11 season, and his 2011-2012 season was less than ideal.


His stats for his last CFB season: 3 carries, 16 yards. Brown, if he evens make the final roster, would most likely be a 3rd down back. If he can play like he did in 2009, the reward will have been well worth the risk.


Even after the draft, the Eagles were not finished, as they signed UDFA Oregon CB Cliff Harris. Harris had a remarkable 2010 season with the Ducks. He had 6 interceptions (one which he returned for a TD), and 4 Punt Returns for Touchdowns. Harris was dismissed from the team last season after two off the field incidents, one of him driving 118 MPH on a suspended license, and a violation of team rules. 


UPDATE: Eagles grab their second UDFA, this time Washington RB Chris Polk. He had an incredible 2011 season with the Huskies, rushing for 1,488 yards and 12 TDs (16 total TDs) on 293 carries. Polk was expected to be a mid round pick, but went undrafted due to two bad shoulders. I believe Polk would be a better option than Bryce Brown if it came down to the two of them.


Eagles have also added Syracuse S Phillip Thomas. He had 6 INTs in 2011, which tied him for 3rd in the country. The Eagles are stacking up on ballhawks this year.


UPDATE #2: I do not think anyone in the Eagles franchise puts down the phone. Ever. The Eagles have signed another UDFA, this time Tulsa WR Damaris Johnson. Johnson holds the NCAA record for all purpose yards with 7,796 yards as well as kickoff return yardage with 3,417 yards. In 2011, he caught a ridiculous 182 passes for an even more ridiculous 2,611 yards and 16 touchdowns.