Justice in Philadelphia Eagles Green (and Some Others, Too)

It is the way of things: First comes mock draft after mock draft. Then draft day comes so that all the mockers may cease scribbling for forty-eight hours or so. And with the Monday morning sunrise comes draft analysis after draft analysis, accompanied by the ubiquitous report card marking system.

The 2006 NFL player draft is finally over, the scribes have spoken, and the Philadelphia Eagles, well, they did well. Amazingly well. Lots of marks of A and A+ were given to this potentially head-of-the-class bunch. Indeed, to hear the pundits tell it, the Eagles had the single best draft of ‘em all.

In round one, Florida State defensive Brodrick Bunkley was called to Philly. Bunkley has been high on the Eagle priority list for some time. Despite the depth at DT Philly came into the draft with (i.e. dudes like Paul Grasmanis, Keyonta Marshall, Mike Patterson, Sam Rayburn and Darwin Walker), Bunkley was seen as an excellent replacement for disgruntled veteran Hollis Thomas. Thomas was dealt to the New Orleans Saints, Philly trading up in the fourth round.

Bunkley may be a bit susceptible to injury (ACL tear in high school, MCL tear in 2002, ankle injury in 2004), but Eagle brass loved his senior-year stats (66 tackles, 25 for loss, nine sacks) and the DT saw his stock progress steadily upward throughout pre-draft scouting. Bunkley was one of three FSU front line defenders taken in round one, which does make his stats a bit suspect - How dependent was his success on Camerion Wimbley and Antonio Cromartie? And vice versa? - the upside, as they say, is quite good on Bunkley.