When it flashed across the screen that the Philadelphia Eagles had traded up to the 13th pick with the Denver Broncos (who had already traded back once with the San Francisco 49ers), many, including myself, believed it would be to select Earl Thomas.
If not Thomas, there was no way the Eagles didn’t pick Derrick Morgan or Jason Pierre-Paul. Well, clearly, the Eagles had defensive end out of Michigan Brandon Graham rated higher than any of those guys, and they made him the 13th pick in this draft.
In order to move up, the Birds gave the Broncos the 24th pick, along with two third-round picks. It’s a hefty price to pay, but clearly Andy Reid, Howie Roseman, and draft-consultant Phil Savage believe he’s going to be worth it.
Graham will most likely be given the chance to compete with incumbent starter Juqua Parker across from Pro Bowl defensive end Trent Cole, but there’s no guarantee he wins that battle and is anything more than a third-down situational pass-rusher in his rookie season.
- St. Louis Rams – Sam Bradford | QB | Oklahoma
- Detroit Lions – Ndamukong Suh | DT | Nebraska
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Gerald McCoy | DT | Oklahoma
- Washington Redskins – Trent Williams | OT | Oklahoma
- Kansas City Chiefs – Eric Berry | S | Tennessee
- Seattle Seahawks – Russell Okung | OT | Oklahoma State
- Cleveland Browns – Joe Haden | CB | Florida
- Oakland Raiders – Rolando McClain | LB | Alabama
- Buffalo Bills – C.J. Spiller | RB | Clemson
- Jacksonville Jaguars – Tyson Alualu | DT | California
- San Francisco 49ers – Anthony Davis | OT | Rutgers
- San Diego Chargers – Ryan Matthews | RB | Fresno