Philadelphia Eagles 2009 NFL Draft in Review

Philadelphia Makes Eight Selections in This Year's Draft

Apr 26, 2009

The Eagles were plenty busy at the 2009 NFL Draft, filling needs at all positions.

Less than one month ago, the Philadelphia Eagles held 12 picks in the 2009 NFL draft, including two in the 1st round (#21 and #28). They traded away picks 28 and 121 (4th round) to land LT Jason Peters in mid-April and many speculated that the Eagles would use their lone 1st round selection on either RB Knowshon Moreno or TE Brendan Pettigrew (assuming either was available at the 21st spot). At the April 25th Draft, Moreno disappeared from the board when he was selected 12th by the Denver Broncos. Then, the Eagles traded their 21st overall pick and a later-round selection to the Cleveland Browns to move up two spots. Cue NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell: "With the 19th pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles select ... Jeremy Maclin."

The drafting of WR Maclin meant the addition of an explosive offensive player that will complement fellow receiver DeSean Jackson, give Donovan McNabb a deep threat, and bring another dimension to Philadelphia's return game. Here's what the Eagles did the rest of the weekend, pick by pick.

Round 2 (#53) - RB LeSean McCoy (Pittsburgh)

With the off-season departure of Correll Buckhalter to the Denver Broncos and the growing concern about Brian Wetbrook's durability and advancing age, the Eagles had a glaring need at RB. In 25 games with the Panthers, McCoy scored 36 times (35 rushing). In his two college seasons, McCoy rushed 584 times for 2,816 yards. His 36 TDs established a new NCAA record for most touchdowns produced by a player during their freshman and sophomore seasons, besting the previous mark of 34 scores by receiver Larry Fitzgerald.

Round 5 (#153) - TE Cornelius Ingram (Florida)

Following L.J. Smith's signing with the Baltimore Ravens, the Eagles knew they needed help at tight end. Ingram will join current TE Brent Celek at the position. Celek showed great promise during this year's playoffs and Ingram brings lots more. He started his college career at QB before moving to WR and eventually to TE. It wasn't until 2007 that he shifted to the TE position. In that one season, Ingram caught 34 passes for 508 yards and 7 TDs. He missed the entire 2008 season with an ACL injury. Ingram caught 64 passes for 888 yards and 8 TDs during his playing career with the Gators.

Lito Sheppard left for the NY Jets. Sheldon Brown recently expressed his desire to be traded (which the Eagles nixed). So, Philadelphia got some insurance. In four seasons with Virginia Tech, Harris recorded 15 interceptions, returning them for 278 total yards and 4 TDs. He also made 128 tackles in his 53 games.

After the off-season additions of Peters and Stacy Andrews to fill the holes left by the departure of Tra Thomas and likely exit of Jon Runyan it seemed like the Eagles had all the help they needed on the offensive line. Well, it can't hurt to add the 6'6" and 322 lbs. of Tupou. During his career with the Ducks, he earned second-team All-Pac 10 Conference honors and was named an All-American third-team and All-Pac 10 Conference first-team choice.

Gibson concluded his college career as the Cougars' all-time leader with 2,756 receiving yards and second in team history with 182 receptions. In his 2007 junior year, he earned All-Pac-10 Conference first-team and All-America third-team kudos after catching a career-high 67 passes for 1,180 yards and 9 touchdowns. Over four years, Gibson made 182 catches for 2,756 yards and 17 TDs.

Round #7 (#213) - G Paul Fanaika (Arizona State)

Fanaika started the final 35 of the 48 games he appeared in for the Sun Devils. He twice earned honorable mention All-Pac-10 honors. He stands 6'6" and weighs 336 lbs.

Round #7 (#230) - LB Moise Fokou (Maryland)

During his last two seasons with the Terrapins, Fokou started 25 of 26 games, registering 161 tackles (19 for a loss) and 7 sacks.

Trade for CB Ellis Hobbs

With the aforementioned departure of Sheppard and Brown's reported displeasure playing in an Eagles uniform, Philadelphia made a move by trading two fifth-round picks to the New England Patriots in exchange for Hobbs. Over his four seasons with the Patriots (where he started 49 of 63 games), Hobbs made 198 tackles, picked off nine passes, and recorded 2.5 sacks. He has also shown his potency as a kick returner with three career TD returns, including one in 2007 for an NFL-record 108 yards. He led the AFC and was second in the entire league last season with a 28.5-yard return average. In Philadelphia, Hobbs will be reunited with Asante Samuel, whom he started alongside in New England for three years, including the Patriots' 18-1 season of two years ago.

The copyright of the article Philadelphia Eagles 2009 NFL Draft in Review in National Football League (NFL) is owned by Justin Harrington. Permission to republish Philadelphia Eagles 2009 NFL Draft in Review in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.