Draft Grades: Eagles

I was shocked when the Eagles selected Jeremy Maclin for a couple of reasons. First, he's too similar to DeSean Jackson. Maclin is a little bigger than Jackson, but just as soft. He also isn't going to make a significant impact while McNabb is still in Philly. The Eagles have a closing window of opportunity to win a Super Bowl and selecting a receiver in the 1st round isn't going to help much. There were other players available that would have made a more immediate impact.

LeSean McCoy was an excellent 2nd-round selection. I think there's a significant difference between him and the three 1st-round running backs, but he can still get the job done. He's an excellent receiver and will be able to take some of the load off Brian Westbrook's shoulders.

Cornelius Ingram was a steal in the 5th round. He's a major injury risk, but he has a tremendous upside. If healthy, he could start for them as early as this year.

Macho Harris is a little overrated because of his collegiate success but he had good value in the 5th round. He isn't a future starter, but he'll add to their depth and should contribute on special teams.

I love the selection of Brandon Gibson. He doesn't have elite speed but he has great hands and is an excellent route runner. He may actually be able to contribute more right away than Maclin.

Paul Fanaika is an unimpressive lineman with little upside. However, the Eagles do need depth at guard and there wasn't much else available in the 7th round.

Moise Fokuo will compete for the backup job at strong-side linebacker. He doesn't have much upside but could be an adequate backup.

Overall the Eagles had a decent draft, but they didn't get much in term of immediate impact players. McCoy and Ingram should see playing time right away and Maclin will contribute on special teams, but its possible that none of them crack the starting lineup. The impact of this draft class won't be felt until a few years down the road, which was a curious decision by the Eagles who hope to compete for a Championship in 2009.

Grade: B

Jaguars Sign Torry Holt

The Jaguars have agreed to a 2-year contract with former Rams receiver Torry Holt. The addition of Holt further leads me to believe that Mark Sanchez and Jeremy Maclin are unlikely options for the Jaguars.

Why? Because the additions of Holt and Tra Thomas are clearly moves to make them competitive in the near future. Rookie quarterbacks and receivers very rarely have a significant impact on a playoff team, so selecting Sanchez or Maclin would be a step in the wrong direction.

So who are realistic options? Well if either Eugene Monroe or Jason Smith were to fall, they would be the obvious choices. Either one could start at right tackle over Tony Pashos immediately. Michael Oher is also a very real possibility given his ability to step in and start right away on the offensive line. B.J. Raji is also an option, and could be the most likely option. Aaron Curry is another player that could start right away, but odds are he'll be off the board.

Visit Tracker: Jeremy Maclin

Ed Thompson of Scout.com is reporting that Jeremy Maclin has or will visit the Browns, Bengals, Lions, Jets, Rams and Raiders (his current destination in my latest mock draft ).

There aren't any real surprises on that list, except perhaps the Lions. However, if Maclin were to fall to No. 20 I don't think anyone would fault Detroit for selecting a wide receiver. The Jeremy Maclin-Calvin Johnson combo could be special.

There is one notable team missing from that list, however: the Jacksonville Jaguars. I have been harping on this all offseason, perhaps too much, but I am convinced that the Jaguars have no interest in taking yet another receiver in the 1st round. After watching Reggie Williams and Matt Jones flame-out, there simply isn't a desire to dip back into that well.

At this point, its looking like Oakland is the most likely destination for Maclin. Al Davis loves speed, and we know Maclin's got it. Don't count out the Bengals, however. Two of their top intersts, Andre Smith and B.J. Raji may have too mcuh baggage to bring into Cincinnati, thus making Maclin the safe choice.

Myth Busters: Why the Jaguars won't draft a receiver

Many mock drafts are popping up with Jeremy Maclin or Michael Crabtree landing in Jacksonville. Its a logical fit, but its not going to happen.

Here's why...

The Jaguars are building to win now. The addition of Tra Thomas and the attempts to land Tory Holt clearly demonstrate that. Its a commonly accepted belief, supported by numerous examples, that receivers don't reach their full potential until their 3rd year in the league. Jack Del Rio and the Jaguars aren't willing to wait for Crabtree or Maclin to develop. Additionally, top 10 picks are rewarded with a large sum of money, and it simply isn't a prudent financial move to tie up that much money in a player that may not have an impact until the contract is halfway over.

Another reason is the Jaguars' terrible luck with receivers in the first round. Reggie Williams and Matt Jones have been busts and the Jags don't want to get burned again. Projecting the success of receivers is a very inexact science, something that Jacksonville knows all too well.

In the end, the Jaguars will have too many other viable options to justify taking a receiver in the 1st round. B.J. Raji and Malcolm Jenkins are more relalistic and far safety options for the Jaguars.

Daniel, Coffman Postpone Workouts

Suddenly Missouri's pro day isn't so interesting. Originally Jeremy Maclin, Chase Daniel and Chase Coffman all planned on working out today at the Tigers pro day. Maclin backed out about a week ago, after he decided he needed more time for his knee to heal after suffering a minor injury at the combine. Without his top receiver running, Chase Daniel wisely opted out as well. And without his quarterback throwing, Chase Coffman followed suit.

All three are expected to workout on March 19.

Jeremy Maclin Postpones Workout

Due to a knee injury that Jeremy Maclin suffered at the combine he will not work out on March 5 as originally planned. Instead he will postpone his workout until March 19.

The knee injury isn't serious, but a lot is riding on his workout so he's making the wise decision to take the time to recover. Scouts were disappointed to see him fail to run in the 4.3 range at Indy, so he'll be expected to reach that level running on his home turf at Missouri.

Even if he doesn't improve his 40 time Maclin is still a potential top 20 selection, but a 4.3 forty would ease the concerns of teams like the Raiders and Jaguars who could make him a top 10 pick.