There was not a team in the NFL that was more disappointing this past season than the Philadelphia Eagles. The self-proclaimed “Dream Team”, as Vince Young once said, has a plethora of issues that need to be addressed.   One of the need positions that was addressed was the quarterback situation when the Eagles signed Dennis Dixon.  Not that he is the answer in the first place. 

1. Secondary

Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie were two of the most unproductive corners in the league this past season.  After picking off two passes in the season opener, Cromartie only had one more interception the rest of the season.  Meanwhile Asomugha only had one interception and neither of the two corners had any forced fumbles.

Nate Allen and Kurt Coleman didn’t play much better at the safety position.   With a combined two interceptions and one forced fumble (all from Coleman), the secondary is a huge need come April.  Eric Reid, Kenny Vacarro or Xavier Rhodes are players that may still be on the board when they pick in the second round at number 36.

2. Defensive End

Last season Jeffrey Lurie released Jason Babin one season removed from his league leading-18 sacks campaign in hopes to get younger at the position.  Brandon Graham took over his spot and only provided 5.5 sacks.  Speaking of the 2011 season, Babin and Trent Cole combined for 29 sacks.

This past season the trio of Babin, Cole and Graham only combined for a total of 14 sacks.  With a very deep draft for defensive ends the Eagles should be able to aquire some decent talent.  Alex Okafor and Margus Hunt fit well with this team. Hunt would be more attractive to the team for his contributions on special teams.

3. Guard

Protection was an obvious issue for the Eagles causing the quarterbacks to have trouble staying on the field.  In 2011 Danny Watkins was drafted in the first round to take over the right guard position and he has not panned out as planned.  Now with most players in their first two seasons you are to expect some growing pains, however with Watkins being 28 the Eagles don’t have time for him to develop at this rate.

Hugh Thorton from Illinois could very well fit that need.   He can also play tackle which is another need for this team that will be addressed a little later in this article.  Guard is not as big a need as other positions and this team can afford to address other needs in earlier rounds.

4. Tackle

Jason Peters will be a huge question mark for this team and he is a huge need moving forward.  With the play of King Dunlap and the regression of Todd Herremans, defensive ends were taking free shots at Michael Vick, which caused Andy Reid to make a change at quarterback. 

With top tackle in the draft Luke Joekel most likely being available with the fourth pick, it makes too much sense not to take him.  If Peters can return to his 2011 form and with Joekel on Vick’s blindside this team can return to the top of the NFC East.

5. Wide Receiver

In what was once a very deep position for the Eagles is a top need going into the draft.  DeSean Jackson was placed on injured reserve after cracking his ribs against the Panthers and this exposed a weakness on this team.  

The numbers for the wide receivers seemed to go down from previous years but a lot of that blame can be placed on not having the protection needed to throw down field.  Eagles do need a different type of receiver than Jackson and Jeremy Maclin.  Lurie and Chip Kelly should look for a big physical receiver like Rodney Smith from Florida State who is 6’6” or Marcus Davis from Virginia Tech.