Eagles Don’t Need a TE in 1st Round

Brent Celek is an emerging star at TE for the Eagles

I’ve seen a bunch of mock drafts around the web predicting the Eagles will select a tight end with one of their two first round picks this April and I really can’t figure out why.  The two names I’ve seen the most are Oklahoma State’s Brandon Pettigrew and Missouri’s Chase Coffman.  If Reid/Heckert select either - or any tight end for that matter - in the first round I might join the ranks of those who think Reid needs to be replaced.  Brent Celek emerged down the stretch and in the playoffs as a legitament future star at tight end for the Eagles and this team has much, much more pressing needs than tight end.

Celek wasn’t used as much as he should have been throughout the season because Reid did everything he could to make the decision to franchise tag LJ Smith look smart.  Smith for his part did everything he could to make that decision look as dumb as most thought it was originally.  For whatever reason, Smith was never able to take his raw skills and become a reliable threat at tight end.  Celek meanwhile came up with big plays whenever he was called upon.

One of the biggest problems with the Eagles offense since Terrell Owens’ departure after the 2005 season has been scoring in the red zone.  In the playoffs, Celek scored three touchdowns in three games including two in the NFC Championship game.  Celek started to become the red zone threat this offense has been desperately needing.  Now just imagine how good he could have been if Reid let LJ walk last off-season and gave Celek the starting role.

Celek isn’t going to stretch defenses the way the coaches wanted Smith to, but he will get open and catch the ball.  If you include the Dallas game in week 17, Celek had four touchdowns in the final four games of 2008.  There is no need to waste a first round pick on a tight end.

Drafting a tight end in the first round would be about as foolish as reaching for a quarterback in the 2nd round that would easily be available in the 3rd when you don’t need one.