Draft Watch – Interesting OL Target

The Eagles have met with OL Justin Pugh quite a bit.  They saw him at the Senior Bowl.  They had an interview with him at the Combine.  They had a workout with him up at Syracuse.

Pugh is a very interesting prospect.  He played LT for 3 years.  He has the footwork to be a good pass protector, but also has the nasty streak to be a good run blocker.  The big knock on Pugh is his arm length.  You ideally want OL to have arms that are 33 to 35 inches long.  He’s just under 32.  That may not sound like a big deal, but sometimes the difference in a defender beating a blocker is a matter of inches.

The short arms have made some teams consider Pugh a possibility at RT, OG, and apparently even C.  This is very interesting.  The Eagles have Jason Kelce at C, but he’s coming off a torn ACL.  We’re hearing all the right things about Kelce, but the Eagles do need to be comfortable with another option at C in case anything happens to Kelce.

Dallas Reynolds struggled early in 2012, but got better as the season wore on.  The problem is that he’s limited athletically and Chip Kelly loves athletic OL.  Does Reynolds fit in?  Matt Tennant is also in the mix, but there is no sure thing, so to speak.

The Eagles worked out USC Center Khaled Holmes recently.  He can play C and G.  The team must have some interest in adding someone that could help at C if needed.  Pugh is of interest because of his versatility.  He could literally play anywhere on the OL.  The Eagles don’t know if Danny Watkins or Todd Herremans will be the RG.  They don’t know if Herremans or Dennis Kelly will be the RT.  They love Peters and Kelce, but both are coming off serious injuries.  Maybe the smart play would be to add a versatile player and keep your options open.

Pugh should be a 2nd round target.

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2 Responses to Draft Watch – Interesting OL Target

  1. Gavin says:

    Maybe, ideally, we trade down to 12-14 and pick up an extra 2nd rounder. If we go defense first, I could see them adding Pugh and/or Long in the second. Does Barrett Jones have the ability to pull and move in this system?

  2. Arby1 says:

    He doesn’t get me excited but they obviously are interested. I hope they’re thinking 3rd round or moving back in the 2nd if he is their target.

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