Highly anticipated draft will be important for Eagles
Kevyn Buttler
Issue date: 4/28/06 Section: Sports
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With names such as Reggie Bush, Matt Leinart and Vince Young, the 2006 NFL Draft, which will take place April 29-30, is one of the most anticipated drafts in recent memory. Bush and Leinart, teammates at the University of Southern California and the last two Heisman Trophy winners, are expected to be selected among the first five picks. Young, last year's Heisman runner-up and quarterback of the National Champion Texas Longhorns, is expected to go within the top ten picks. These three are the headliners of a draft class that many experts believe is very deep in talent. This includes defensive end Mario Williams from North Carolina State, who recently has been mentioned along with Bush as the possible first overall selection by the Houston Texans. Other likely top five picks include offensive tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson from Virginia and linebacker A.J. Hawk from Ohio State.
After Leinart and Young, Jay Cutler of Vanderbilt is expected to be the third quarterback selected. Cutler's stock has skyrocketed over the course of the year, as he has gone from relative anonymity to a possible top ten selection. Tight end Vernon Davis from Maryland is considered by some to be the best prospect ever at the position. Other possible top ten picks include defensive back Michael Huff from Texas, defensive tackles Haloti Ngata from Oregon and Broderick Bunkley from Florida State, offensive tackle Winston Justice from USC and linebacker Ernie Sims from Florida State.
As for the Philadelphia Eagles, they will pick 14th in the first round and have a total of 11 picks in the draft. The Eagles have several needs to fill in the draft, but their first round choice remains a bit of a mystery. Ngata and Bunkley would bring much needed help to the interior of the defensive line, but they will most likely be gone by the 14th pick. With their 11 picks, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Eagles try to trade up a few spots to land one of the two. If Justice fell to the Eagles, it would be hard to pass him up. Currently the team starts the oft-injured Tra Thomas and the aging Jon Runyan at the starting offensive tackle postitions.
After Leinart and Young, Jay Cutler of Vanderbilt is expected to be the third quarterback selected. Cutler's stock has skyrocketed over the course of the year, as he has gone from relative anonymity to a possible top ten selection. Tight end Vernon Davis from Maryland is considered by some to be the best prospect ever at the position. Other possible top ten picks include defensive back Michael Huff from Texas, defensive tackles Haloti Ngata from Oregon and Broderick Bunkley from Florida State, offensive tackle Winston Justice from USC and linebacker Ernie Sims from Florida State.
As for the Philadelphia Eagles, they will pick 14th in the first round and have a total of 11 picks in the draft. The Eagles have several needs to fill in the draft, but their first round choice remains a bit of a mystery. Ngata and Bunkley would bring much needed help to the interior of the defensive line, but they will most likely be gone by the 14th pick. With their 11 picks, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Eagles try to trade up a few spots to land one of the two. If Justice fell to the Eagles, it would be hard to pass him up. Currently the team starts the oft-injured Tra Thomas and the aging Jon Runyan at the starting offensive tackle postitions.
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