Eagles Draft Wide Receiver Jackson
Cal's DeSean Jackson Selected in Second Round By Philadelphia
It took two rounds and 49 picks for DeSean Jackson to be selected in the 2008 NFL draft . Some experts consider the selection by the Philadelphia Eagles to be a steal.
It is a well-known fact that that Eagles quarterback, Donovan McNabb, lacks a true number-one threat at the wideout position. In last weekend's draft the team may have tried to change the trend that has plagued them since Terrell Owens left the team after the 2004-05 season.
Eagles Fans Looking for Answers
Leading up to the draft, Eagles fans and experts waited for the team to make a move and fill the void left after Owens' departure. They waited after the Eagles signed a cornerback (Asante Samuel); they waited after the Eagles signed a defensive end (Chris Clemons); and, they waited after a fullback (Dan Klecko), linebacker (Rocky Boiman) and running back (Loernzo Booker) were signed by the club. They also listened to rumours involving Randy Moss, Larry Fitzgerald, Roy Williams and Chad Johnson and watched them evaporate. With the draft, rumours began to swirl that the team might use their newly-anointed back-up cornerback, Lito Sheppard, as trade bait to secure a pick higher than their current position of 19th. But the Eagles ended up trading away their first-round pick and using their first selection (47) on a defensive tackle, Trevor Laws. Two picks later they finally did what everyone was waiting for when they selected California's DeSean Jackson.
Wide Receiver Weakness in Philadelphia
The wide receiver position in Philadelphia has long been as a source of scrutiny. They have good receivers in Kevin Curtis and Reggie Brown, and okay receivers in Greg Lewis and Hank Baskett, but their leader in touchdown receptions last season had only 6 (Curtis). By comparison, Moss led the league with 23 TD receptions (Curtis' 6 TD catches were good enough for 27th (tie) in the league). That the Eagles need a number-one receiver is obvious. That the Eagles got a steal by drafting Jackson is not obvious but may become evident next season.
Jackson Shows Promise
Many experts had Jackson pegged as a first-round selection and the best wide receiver available in the draft. The fact that he was the selected so low and after 6 other receivers had already been picked may prove to be a gift for the Eagles. Jackson has incredible speed, running the 40-yard in 4.35 seconds at the NFL combine, and is a dangerous threat on the punt return. The Eagles have lacked at both of these positions and may be looking at Jackson as the one to turn things around. Some people are skeptical of Jackson's potential in the NFL because of his size - he's listed at 5'10" and 169 lbs. But you only need to look at the Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (5'9", 185), one of the NFL's most productive wide receivers, to realize that size isn't always an issue.
Jackson's Past May Be a Sign of Good Things to Come in Philly
During his 36-game collegiate career with the California Bears, Jackson caught 162 passes for 2,423 yards and 22 touchdowns. He also returned 6 of his 38 punt returns for touchdowns. An interesting statistic is that Jackson recorded 52 plays of 20 yards or more with California, comprising 23 per cent of his possessions. He may be exactly what Philadelphia needs - a big-play, crafty wide receiver who can get behind the defence and beat them with speed. The Eagles would be premature to say that Jackson is their answer so only time will tell.
Sources: www.nfl.com, www.calbears.cstv.vom
