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I don't think you pass on Joeckel (or Eric Fisher) in Philadelphia's shoes, unless you can do what I just suggested for Oakland and trade down with Miami. Philly fans may go nuts if the Eggles don't focus on defense in this draft. They finished near the bottom of the league in sacks and passing yards allowed, that Dream Team secondary is now completely gone, and with no disrespect to Bradley Fletcher, they badly need another corner to line up with Cary Williams. Jordan, Dee Milliner or a trade down all make a lot of sense here.
Plus, what am I doing picking Joeckel when the Eggles have five-time Pro Bowler Jason Peters? Well, Peters is 31 and coming off a torn Achilles last year. The whole Eggle offensive line is pretty long in the tooth. Even if Joeckel starts out in Philly as a right tackle, he'll be the left tackle before too long. And he's head-and-shoulders the best player available at this pick. Philadelphia has skill players aplenty to man new HC Chip Kelly's spread offense; Joeckel is the ideal rookie to add to that, having just played in the spread at A&M. The Eagles can still get a serviceable CB in the second round, but bluest-of-blue-chip OTs like Joeckel don't just fall out of trees. I'd make the same case for Fisher if Fisher were available. The Eggles have a raft of defensive needs, but if one of the two stud tackles is available at #4, you take him and you don't look back.
A quick word about Geno Smith, who'll you'll see projected here at times. There's some logic to that; Smith should be able to run Kelly's system and he's got the mobility to make it dangerous. Plus Michael Vick is one of the oldest Eagles and they don't have a long-term solution behind center. But, long story short, I think Geno should ultimately wind up with the Jagwires.
In the second round. His accuracy is terrible, he hasn't lined up under center, he hasn't had to call plays or make adjustments, his ball security is terrible... I agree with Pro Football Weekly's brilliant assessment that Smith is "a cross between Akili Smith and Aaron Brooks". Drafting him fourth overall would be in my estimation a terrible way to start the Chip Kelly era.
Take the stud tackle, Philly, and thank me later.
The Lions are on the clock!
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