[ANTHONY Barr] is on the front page of the Eagles website as the subject of discussion on filling defensive needs.
While we couldn’t land Miami’s Dion Jordan in a trade, the idea that we were even actively wheeling and dealing for a young pass rusher indicates that perhaps the Eagles DO know what they’re doing after all.
Pass rusher is a need for this team. Not a luxury, a need. While fans may have gotten used to Trent Cole being a terror on the outside, it’s been awhile since he was worthy of consistent double-teaming. It would also be nice to have an OLB that was more natural in coverage.
Brings me back to Barr. There is no mock Draft that still has him on the board at 22. I have yet to see one where he makes it past 12. There are lots of OLB’s in this Draft and some of them are pretty good. Few have the size, and many are one dimensional (pass rushers OR coverage backers).
Barr gives you size and dynamicism, but in order to even reasonably have a shot at him we have to move up at least ten spots. I say “at least” because I’ve seen him go as high as 6 on some boards.
If I hadn’t seen this on the Eagles website, being discussed on a podcast ( after about 7 minute) by guys like Baldy (Brian Baldinger) and Bo Wulf, I wouldn’t even be mentioned it. But with the way that the Dion Jordan thing failed to happen, a trade up just seems like the next logical step; because their proposed scenario where Barr slides to 22, I just don’t see happening.
In any case I think it pays to be aggressive and get after what you want, instead sitting and hoping it comes to you. Especially after Baldy said the guy is like a bigger version of former LB William Thomas. So in that spirit I think dangling Matt Barkley, Brandon Graham and our first to move up should be enough to catch someone’s eye. Or at least get a dialogue going.
Comment box right below. Tell us what you think or how you’d do it better.
Rather trade back or take the chance that someone falls to us at 22.
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There’s plenty back there below 22. G Gabe Jackson, OLB Jeremiah Attaochu …
I mention Attaochu even thoough he has a 2nd round grade on him because he has the size to play in this type of 3-4 scheme. If you look at the pool of OLB’s there aren’t a lot at his and Anthony Barr’s size who can also cover as well as rush the passer.
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