The Philadelphia Eagles were widely rumored to have interest in quarterback Geno Smith at the top of both the first and second rounds of the 2013 NFL Draft, but have shown to be perhaps content with Michael Vick running the show in their early selections.
This first round will forever be known as the year of the offensive lineman. So when in Rome, I can’t fault spending a No. 4 on Lane Johnson, part of the elite left tackle mega-trio residing at the top of this draft. An offensive line that was laughably bad at time last year now looks potentially the league’s best — if healthy — with LT Jason Peters, LG Evan Mathis, C Jason Kelce, RG Todd Herremans and Johnson at right tackle.
Stanford tight-end Zach Ertz will often line up right next to Johnson, who provides a nice target along with a better blocking TE than they have on roster.
Third-round defensive tackle Bennie Logan played a major catalyst in the success of fellow 2013 draftees Sam Montgomery and Barkevious Mingo at LSU. He joins Fletcher Cox, Isaac Sopoaga, Antonio Dixon, Cedric Thornton and Ronnie Cameron in the growing list of defensive tackle options for the Eagles as they make their “3-4″ transition — I put it in quotations because Coach Chip Kelly has been adamant that this is no way of encompassing the multiple looks this defense will take on. But it’s a 3-4 base, and Logan adds a piece that gives the Eagles some options up front.
Picks: Johnson (1-4), Ertz (2-3), Logan (3-5)
Grade: B+
Thomas Emerick is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @ThomasEmerick, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
