Eagles Select WR Jeremy Maclin in 2009 NFL Draft
Philadelphia Uses First Round Pick to Nab Missouri Tiger
Apr 27, 2009 Justin Harrington
The last time the Philadelphia Eagles used their first-round draft selection on a WR was in 2001 when they picked a UCLA product 25th overall. He played four seasons for the Eagles, catching 90 passes for 1,263 yards and five touchdowns, and will perhaps be remembered only for being on the receiving end of the 2004 Divisional Playoff Game play nicknamed "4th and 26." His name? Freddie Mitchell.
Eight years after Mitchell was drafted, the Philadelphia organization is hoping the outcome is much better for one Jeremy Maclin.
After the Eagles had traded up from the 21st selection to the 19th at this weekend's NFL Draft, they announced that Maclin, the speedy Missouri Tigers sophomore, would be their first pick. Maclin was the third receiver selected in the 2009 NFL Draft -- Darius Heyward-Bey and Michael Crabtree went to the Oakland Raiders at #7 and the San Francisco 49ers at #10, respectively -- but many experts had him pegged as the best or second-best receiver available this year. Many were certain he was a top-10 pick. Eagles head coach Andy Reid explained that while the team wasn't initially targeting Maclin they couldn't resist when he was still available at the 19th spot.
Maclin Proves Worth in Just Two Seasons with Tigers
It didn't take Maclin long to establish himself as one of the most potent offensive players in college football. Playing in 28 games over his two years, the 6'1", 200-lb. Maclin caught 182 passes, amassing 2,315 yards and 22 touchdowns. He also made a name for himself as an explosive punt and kick return specialist. He is one of only two major college players to gain more than 2,000 yards receiving and more than 2,000 yards in kickoff returns during a career. In his time with the Tigers, Maclin averaged 82.68 receiving yards, 73.18 kickoff return yards, and more than 20 punt return yards per game. The Eagles currently have 2008 draft picks DeSean Jackson (punts) and Quintin Demps (kicks) handling the return duties but this may change with Maclin in the fold.
Maclin Becomes McNabb's Newest Offensive Weapon
Before Maclin became an Eagle, Philadelphia fans had been screaming for a playmaker at wide receiver since Terrell Owens left three years ago. DeSean Jackson had a franchise record-setting rookie season (62 receptions, 912 yards, 2 touchdowns) this year but it wasn't enough. And names such as Braylon Edwards, Anquan Boldin, and T.J. Houshmandzadeh floated around the Eagles franchise but the price must have ultimately proved too much. Today, Donovan McNabb's receiving core includes names such as Jackson, Kevin Curtis, Reggie Brown, Jason Avant, Hank Baskett, and now, Maclin. Philadelphia selected another receiver over the weekend, picking Washington State's Brandon Gibson in the 6th round. Who will be dressed in green once the 2009-10 season begins remains a mystery, but the Eagles may have done enough to keep McNabb (and Eagles fans) satisfied ... for now.
A Brief History of First-Round WR Draft Selections by the Eagles
1982: Mike Quick (NC State) - 20th overall
1984: Kenny Jackson (Penn State) - 4th overall
2001: Freddie Mitchell (UCLA) - 25th overall
2009: Jeremy Maclin (Missouri State) - 19th overall
Update (08/03/09): The Eagles signed Maclin to a five-year contract worth up to $15.5 million, with $9.5 million guaranteed.
Statistics Sources:
www.nfl.com
www.philadelphiaeagles.com
Philadelphia Eagles WR Jeremy Maclin
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