Eagles could go after a linebacker

The last time the Eagles took a linebacker in the first round of the NFL draft, Jack Lambert was in the middle of his career, Lawrence Taylor was still in college, and Ray Lewis was 3 years old.

That was 1979, when the Eagles took Jerry Robinson of UCLA 21st overall. Barack Obama was preparing for his freshman year of college, and the sack was not even an official NFL stat yet.

Last year's linebacking woes might give the Eagles motivation to break that streak, or at least pick up some new blood in an early round. The linebacking unit was plagued by injuries in 2009, and in the off-season, the team jettisoned three players who had seen considerable playing time as part of that group.

As they search for reinforcements, the Eagles could have quality choices available when they pick at the end of the first round or early in the second round.

"Outside linebacker, if they find the right player, they could certainly go there," ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay said in a conference call with reporters.

He said Missouri's Sean Weatherspoon, a highly regarded outside linebacker, could be a good fit.

The linebacking unit suffered a rash of injuries last year, starting with the loss of middle linebacker Stewart Bradley (knee) before the season.

In his absence, Andy Reid was forced to try six starters to replace Bradley. The Eagles hope his return will shore up the center of the defense, but he is coming back from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, and the roster has no other major playmakers at linebacker.

In a clear sign of dissatisfaction with last year's lineup, the Eagles parted ways with Will Witherspoon, who started at weakside linebacker for the second half of the season, and traded away Chris Gocong, who manned the strong side for much of the year, starting 11 games. Middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter is also gone from a defense that slipped to 19th in the league in points allowed, from fourth in 2008.

The changes leave the apparent 2010 starting lineup as Bradley; Akeem Jordan, a former undrafted free agent who started 10 games last year; and Moise Fokou, a seventh-round pick in 2009 who took over for Gocong.

Gocong was a third-round selection in 2006 but never had a major impact, much like other linebackers the Eagles have drafted in recent years, except for Bradley.

Asked if the team might look to shore up the position, general manager Howie Roseman said the return to health of Bradley, Jordan, and Omar Gaither leaves the Eagles feeling stronger at linebacker. Pressed on past draft misses there, he said the team needs players who can play in space and stay on the field against the pass or the run.

Weatherspoon, at 6-foot-1 and 239 pounds with 4.62 speed in the 40, has the combination of size, speed and coverage skills that might fit well with the Eagles, McShay said. He is projected as a weakside linebacker.

Weatherspoon and Texas' Sergio Kindle (6-3, 250), a defensive end-linebacker hybrid, are two of the top-rated edge players in the draft. Both could be available when the Eagles pick at No. 24 in the first round, though their stocks are rising in many analysts' evaluations.

Michigan's Brandon Graham (6-2, 268), another defensive end-linebacker mix, is also seen as one of the most disruptive forces at his position, though he, like Kindle, could be gone by the time the Eagles' first pick rolls around.

In the Eagles' 4-3 scheme, a quality strong-side linebacker could help cover tight ends and take on blockers, holding the perimeter on the defense's outer edge. The ideal fit needs the strength to then disengage his block and make a stop, said Marcellus Wiley, a former Pro Bowl defensive end who is now an NFL analyst for ESPN.

"You need a stud over there," he said.

Meanwhile the often-unblocked weakside linebacker, lining up on the side of the offense that doesn't have a tight end, should be a seek-and-destroy tackler who can roam the playing field.

"He's going to have to put on his track spikes and just go sideline-to-sideline," Wiley said. "One guy gets to run into the party after the door is open, and one guy actually gets to open the door."

They also need to be agile enough to fall into pass coverage, he said.

In the second round, where the Eagles have the 37th and 55th selections overall, they might be able to nab Texas Christian's Daryl Washington, who could also play the weak side and contribute on special teams, NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said in another conference call.

Another highly regarded end who may move to linebacker in the pros is Jerry Hughes, a two-time all-American from Texas Christian. He may also be available in the second round, though some projections say he will fit better in a 3-4 defensive scheme.

After the first round, Penn State's Navorro Bowman is another highly touted outside linebacker who could be available.

Ricky Sapp from Clemson and Koa Misi of Utah are two more college ends who could become impact linebackers in the NFL. Rennie Curran of Georgia and Eric Norwood from South Carolina are other top linebackers who could go in the second round or later.

At inside linebacker, Alabama's Rolando McClain is widely expected to go in the first round, perhaps to the Giants. Florida's Brandon Spikes and Penn State's Sean Lee are two other top inside linebacker prospects.