Eagles draft CB Boykin; 4 more on offense
It took maybe a round or two longer than some expected, but the Eagles drafted a cornerback in the fourth round when they took Georgia's Brandon Boykin.
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It took maybe a round or two longer than some expected, but the Eagles drafted a cornerback in the fourth round when they took Georgia's Brandon Boykin on Day 3 of the NFL draft.
Not only did the Eagles get a guy who could potentially become their next slot corner, but they got a player who returned kicks in college and could solve a problem that has been an issue for the team. Even better news: Some had Boykin slotted to go in the late second round and the Eagles got him with the 123d overall pick.
Boykin broke his fibula at the Senior Bowl. It may have hurt his stock some.
Boykin, during a conference call, said that he was disappointed that he fell, but he was very optimistic about playing for the Eagles. He said he played a lot of slot corner in college and that he returned kicks and punts since he was a freshman at Georgia.
The 5-foot-10, 182-pound Boykin is Georgia's all-time leader in kick return yards (2,663).
"Special teams is something I know I can come in and have an impact on right away," Boykin said.
But the Eagles, obviously, want him to come in and compete at the slot. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie played there most of last season, but is now back on the outside. Joselio Hanson has a lot of experience inside but he'll be 31 before the start of the season. Brandon Hughes will also be vying for the job.
The Eagles have gone defense with four of their first five picks in the draft. Defensive tackle Fletcher Cox came in the first round, linebacker Mychal Kendricks came in the second round and defensive end Vinny Curry also came in the second.
Arizona quarterback Nick Foles was selected in the third round. The Eagles selected Purdue tackle Dennis Kelly in the fifth round. At 6-8, 321 pounds, Kelly will come in and be a long-term project for offensive line coach Howard Mudd, provided he makes the team. Even though Jason Peters is likely out for the season, he and Todd Herremans are signed at least through 2014.
The Eagles signed Demetress Bell to fill in for the injured Peters, but he's guaranteed only one year.
Kelly started three seasons at Purdue. He's from Chicago Heights, Ill.
The Eagles went back to the Big Ten with their first pick in the sixth round (194th overall), when they drafted Iowa receiver Marvin McNutt. As a senior, the 6-foot-3, 216-pound caught 78 passes for 2,815 yards and 12 touchdowns. He pulled in 166 catches for 2,815 yards and 28 touchdowns over his college career.
Recruited as a quarterback, McNutt switched full-time to receiver before his sophomore season. He isn't especially fast -- he ran 4.54 40-yard dash at the combine -- but he has good hand-eye coordination and decent body control.
Six selections later, the Eagles drafted guard Brandon Washington (6-3, 320) from Miami. And their final selection in the seventh round -- the pick they received from the Falcons in exchange for Asante Samuel -- was running back Bryce Brown from Kansas State.
Brown (5-11, 223) started off his collegiate career at Tennessee, transferred in 2010 and sat out a season and had only three carries as a senior before he left the team. The Eagles are obviously taking a flyer on Brown.