Should Have The Philadelphia Eagles Drafted Differently?

Below are the abbreviations for the positional players:


QB = quarterback
RB = running back
FB = full back
WR = wide receiver
TE = tight end

C = center
OT = offensive tackle
OG = offensive guard

DT = defensive tackle
DE = defensive end

LB = line backer

CB = corner back
S = safety
SS = strong safety
FS = free safety

P = punter
PK = place kicker
KR = kick returner

The Philadelphia Eagles had the 15th overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft and they selected Jerome McDougle (DE). This guy had talent, but missed a number of games because of injuries. The Eagles cut him in 2008. The team would have been better served by drafting Osi Umenyiora (DE), Troy Polamalu (S), Nnamdi Asomugha (CB), Ken Hamlin (S), Anquan Boldin (WR) or Rashean Mathis (CB). Any of these players would have given the Eagles more production than McDougle.

L.J. Smith (TE) was drafted in the 2nd round. He is not known to be a consistent playmaker, so this draft pick as well should have been avoided. A better selection would have been Jason Witten (TE) or Lance Briggs (LB).

In round 3, the Eagles picked Billy McMullen (WR) and was with the team for only three years. They should have drafted Terrence McGee (CB) or Asante Samuel (CB). Samuel eventually signed with the Eagles in 2008.

Round 4 brought Jamaal Green (DE) to the Eagles, which was for only two years. A better value draft pick here would have been Robert Mathis (DE) or Dan Koppen (C). Jeremy Bridges (OT) was selected in the 6th round, but his stay with the Eagles was short-lived as well (one year). Cato June (LB) was still on the draft board.

The Eagles wasted another pick in round 7 by selecting Norman LeJeune (S) who was another one-year player. There were three notable undrafted NFL stars the Eagles could have used on their team with their late-round picks: Antonio Gates (TE), Kris Dielman (OG) or Tony Romo (QB). Think about it, with Donovan McNabb always hurt at the quarterback position, Tony Romo could have actually been the starting QB for the Philadelphia Eagles team right now. Instead, Romo plays for division rival the Dallas Cowboys.

The Philadelphia Eagles didn't make one good pick in the 2003 NFL Draft.


Summary Of Players The Philadelphia Eagles Should Have Acquired In 2003

Osi Umenyiora
Jason Witten
Terrence McGee
Robert Mathis
Cato June
Antonio Gates
Kris Dielman
Tony Romo

The Philadelphia Eagles had the 16th overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. They selected Shawn Andrews (OT) and it was a really good pick, because Andrews is a two-time Pro Bowler. He helps to soldify that offensive left in front of Donovan McNabb.

The Eagles had no 2nd round draft choice, so in round 3 they selected Matt Ware (FS). That pick was terrible since Ware was waived two years later. The team should have drafted Jared Allen (DE), Nathan Vasher (CB), Matt Schaub (QB) or Jerricho Cotchery (WR).

In the 4th round, the Eagles had two draft picks and they selected Trey Darilek (OG) and J.R. Reed (FS), but both were cut two years later (Reed resigned with the Eagles in 2007). These two draft picks would have been better used on players like Michael Turner (RB) and Derrick Ward (RB).

Based on their draft position, there was not a lot of talent for the Philadelphia Eagles to pickup in the 2004 NFL Draft.


Summary Of Players The Philadelphia Eagles Should Have Acquired In 2004

Jared Allen
Michael Turner
Derrick Ward

1. Brian Westbrook
2. Donovan McNabb
3. Philadelphia Eagles defense
4. DeSean Jackson
5. Kevin Curtis

With the 31st overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles selected Mike Patterson (DT). He has been strong force on the defensive line for the Eagles, so this pick was a good selection.

The Eagles had another pick shortly thereafter (35th overall pick) in round 2 and drafted Reggie Brown (WR). He is not a big-time playmaker, but he is a decent receiver. A bigger impact player like Lofa Tatupu (LB) was still available.

Matt McCoy (LB) was also drafted in round 2. He was with Eagles team for only three years. Frank Gore (RB) and Justin Tuck (DE) were still on the draft board.

In the 3rd and 4th rounds, the Eagles picked Ryan Moats (RB) - he lasted three years and Sean Considine (S). Better selections here would have been Marion Barber III (RB) and Brandon Jacobs (RB).

With a second pick in the 4th round, the Eagles drafted Todd Herremans (OT). Nate Washington (WR) was still available and actually went undrafted.

The Eagles made a fantastic pick in round 5 with the selection of future Pro Bowler Trent Cole (DE). Finding gems like Cole in the late rounds is what helps teams win more games.

A few other NFL stars that were undrafted in 2005 were Atari Bigby (S), Robbie Gould (PK) and Joshua Cribbs (KR).

Again, because of their draft position, the Eagles didn't really have a good assortment of talent to choose from other than running backs. It was actually possible for the Philadelphia Eagles to draft Brian Westbrook, Frank Gore, Marion Barber III, Ryan Grant. Michael Turner and Brandon Jacobs.


Summary Of Players The Philadelphia Eagles Should Have Acquired In 2005

Lofa Tatupu
Justin Tuck
Marion Barber III
Brandon Jacobs
Nate Washington
Atari Bigby
Robbie Gould
Joshua Cribbs

The Philadelphia Eagles used the 14th overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft on Brodrick Bunkley (DT). He is solid player for now; time will tell if he becomes a defensive force. The Eagles had a chance to draft DeMeco Ryans (LB), Antonio Cromartie (CB) or Joseph Addai (RB), guys that are already playing at a Pro Bowl level.

In round 2, the Eagles drafted Winston Justice (OT) and so far has not played to expectations. Considering future Pro Bowler Marcus McNeill (OT) was still available, did the Eagles make the wrong decision on Justice? I think so. The Eagles could have gone a different route and drafted Devin Hester (KR), Maurice Jones-Drew (RB), Tony Scheffler (TE) or Greg Jennings (WR).

Chris Gocong (LB) was selected in round 3 and so far has not made a name for himself. A better pick here would have been Owen Daniels (TE).

The Eagles had two draft picks in round 4, Max Jean-Gilles (OG) and Jason Avant (WR). Better options here would have been Brandon Marshall (WR), Antoine Bethea (FS) and Marques Colston (WR).


Summary Of Players The Philadelphia Eagles Should Have Acquired In 2006

DeMeco Ryans
Marcus McNeill
Owen Daniels
Brandon Marshall
Marques Colston

As mentioned before, every NFL General Manager will make mistakes on some of their draft picks. The Philadelphia Eagles had a chance to draft a totally different team than the one they currenlty have. Below is the team the Eagles could have drafted (picks are based on draft locations and team needs).

Tony Romo (QB)

Marion Barber III (RB)
Michael Turner (RB)
Derrick Ward (RB)

Brandon Marshall (WR)
Marques Colston (WR)
Nate Washington (WR)
Jerricho Cotchery (WR)

Jason Witten (TE)
Antonio Gates (TE)
Owen Daniels (TE)

Kris Dielman (OG)
Shawn Andrews (OT)
Marcus McNeill (OT)

Osi Umenyiora (DE)
Robert Mathis (DE)
Trent Cole (DE)
Justin Tuck (DE)
Mike Patterson (DT)

Cato June (LB)
Lofa Tatupu (LB)
DeMeco Ryans (LB)

Terrence McGee (CB)
Sean Considine (S)
Atari Bigby (S)

Joshua Cribbs (KR)