Grading Day One of the 2010 Philadelphia Eagles NFL Draft

On Day One of the NFL 2010 Draft the Philadelphia Eagles proved once again to be an organization with a few tricks up its sleeve as it made a surprise move, trading up 11 spots to the 13th overall pick and selecting Michigan Defensive End Brandon Graham. The Eagles gave up the 24th pick of the first round and two 3rd round picks to the Denver Broncos in order to secure Graham. Named MVP of the 2009 Senior Bowl, Graham ended his college career impressively with two sacks and a forced fumble in that game. Over the course of a four-year career at Michigan Graham recorded 29 1/2 sacks and was twice voted team MVP. This is a solid pick for a team that struggled at times against opposing offensive lines. That weakness was on full display during the NFC playoff loss to the Dallas Cowboys in 2009, where the Cowboys O-line manhandled the Eagles defensive unit. With the selection of Graham, a 1st team All Big-Ten player and team captain who led the nation in tackles for a loss, the Eagles hope to address this need. Some scouts are concerned with Grahams size and height (6'1, 270 pounds), but coach Andy Reid was not deterred. In an interview with Dave Spadaro on the teams official website, Philadelphiaeagles.com, Reid said, "The thing I liked is that he really enjoys playing football. Some guys will say that, but I want to see that in your play and he showed that on every play, He is always coming after you. Some guys will pull off you as you're going down, but he's going to hit you. He makes plays behind the line of scrimmage and he did that better than anybody in the country in college. Add in all of those factors and that's why he was our guy."

1st Day NFL Draft Analysis

This was a solid pick for the Philadelphia Eagles. By selecting Graham with their first pick of the 2010 Draft the Eagles bring in an impact player to a defense that ranked 17th against the pass in 2009 (allowing 216 passing yards per game), and 19th in the league in points allowed (with opposng teams scoring 21 point per game). These numbers need to improve if the Eagles expect to compete with the elite teams in the NFL. One way to address this need is to bring in a pass rushing defensive end who plays in the other teams backfield, and presents a disruptive presence to opposing team offenses. With the draft of Michigan DE Brandon Graham in the first round, the Eagles have secured such a player.

1st Day NFL Draft Grade- B

I give the Eagles management and coaching staff a solid B in this round. This selection will help to address a real need, and add another potential star to a young, talented team.

Next up in the second round the Eagles are on board with the 5th pick.

Sources

Philadelphia Eagles Official Website-www.philadelphiaeagles.com/fanzone/EaglesTextAlert.asp
NFL.COM- www.nfl.com/teams/statistics?team=PHI
MGoBlue- http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/graham_brandon00.html
Fox Sports Online- www.msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/Eagles-select-DE-Brandon-Graham-83831544