Heard in the Cheap Seats

Today we are continuing our Q&A with Scott over at Inside the Iggles on some interesting questions as draft day draws near.  Be sure to hop over to ITI to check out Scott’s answer to our question yesterday on what player has not been mentioned in any pre-draft speculation that may wind up on the Eagles roster.  His answer may surprise you.

To close out our portion of this discussion, Scott posed this question: Most of the draft buzz in Eagles Nation has surrounded the running back position. Give me the name of a sleeper running back you think would fit the Eagles’ offensive scheme?

Another good question Scott.  Probably the only two areas of significant need for the Philadelphia Eagles are at running back and tight end.  In what order those needs are addressed remains to be seen but there is little doubt both positions will be checked off before the draft is concluded. 

It’s unlikely that the Eagles will take the risk of relying on a sleeper to fill in as Brian Westbrook’s primary backup.  If they do take a so-called sleeper it would probably be as a third RB—possibly as a scout team player.  Scott already identified one potential surprise RB in Rashad Jennings out of Liberty that is emerging as a trendy pick in this year’s RB class.  For my sleeper pick, I am going deeper into the running back pool with Arian Foster out of Tennessee.

At 6 feet tall and 226 pounds, Foster possesses ideal size for an NFL back.  He does not have elite speed but he plays faster than his 4.69 40 time would indicate.  Of course, any back in Andy Reid’s system needs to be a willing pass blocker and a solid pass catcher.  Foster is both of those.  As a productive runner and an above average pass catcher, Foster would fit into the Eagles system well.

Foster is so much of a sleeper that he might not even be drafted and if he is, it will surely be on the second day.  His stock is being hurt by an arrest for disorderly conduct and underage drinking.  To me, that sounds more like college indiscretion than a major character flaw.  In addition, Foster had a poor senior year that caused his draft stock to plummet.  Had he come out after his junior year, he might have been drafted in the late second round or early third round. 

Despite his poor 40 time and lack of production in his final season, Foster has a real chance to be a productive player in the NFL and would be a high-value pick in the late rounds. 

Over to Scott for the final question.  We’ll go the conventional route on this one to satisfy our loyal readers: “Most NFL experts feel that the Eagles two biggest areas of need are tight end and RB.  Which direction will they go with the first pick and why?