Kiper Paints a Beautiful Picture

Chris Wells would be a perfect RB for the Eagles in Round 1

ESPN’s Mel Kiper released his first mock draft recently and for the Eagles sake it might as well be called a fantasy football draft because Kiper’s projection is about as perfect of a first round as the Eagles could have.

• #21 - Chris “Beanie” Wells (RB) -  Ohio St.
• #28 - Michael Oher (OT) - Mississippi

If Reid and Heckert walk away from Radio City Music Hall with Wells and Oher in the first round, they’ll deserve major props.  I am a big fan of drafting a running back in the first round this year to take the load off of Westbrook and Wells is about as perfect an option as we could hope for in the first round.  Wells is a big time talent and would be a top 10 pick had he stayed healthy this year and didn’t bring with him some injury concerns.  He’d be the good between the tackles runner that this team has been missing.  At 6′1″, 235 he is a load to bring down and would give the offense some power running - something Westbrook just can’t do.  He’s also not a big threat out of the backfield which would make his and Westbrook’s roles very defined.

Westbrook might not like the idea of a running back being draft in the first round, but getting a big back like Wells could really add some years to Westbrook’s career.  Westy looked pretty broken down as the season progressed and having another back to share the load would keep him fresh.  I love Correl Buckhalter, but I think Reid is affraid to give him too many careers because of his past injuries.  Draft Wells and we have a short yardage back, insurance for Westbrook, and another back to take some of the pressure off #36.

Oher has top 10 talent, but is inconsistent and there are questions about his work ethic.  With the questions surrounding Shawn Andrews the staff might not want to take a chance on a prospect like that, but if by some chance Oher falls to #28 there is simply no way they can pass on him.  If they can get an OT like Oher in the first round, this will be a pretty good draft.  The St. Louis Dispath had a quote from one scout about Oher which makes him sound like just the type of OT Reid would love to have.

“He’s not a killer in the run game,” said one NFC scout. “But his pass protection is what you’re looking for. He’s light on his feet. This guy physically is what you’re looking for. Talent-wise, he’s a top guy. Depending on the other stuff, he could fall.”

The problem is the Rams are supposedly looking at him - they have the #2 pick.  Now are they talking to him because they are considering taking him that high? Or do they think he’ll be there when they draft #2 in the second round as well?