The NFL draft is just over two weeks away, and for Eagles fans, its the most anticipated draft in recent memory. Birds fans want a playmaking wideout or at least an impact defensive end, but still know in the back of their heads they’re 50-50 to see an offensive lineman don the midnight green at the 19th spot. If Donovan McNabb thought he had it bad when he got booed on draft day, he might want to listen in if Philly drafts another O-lineman. Suffice it to say, the Eagles representatives in the stands won’t be happy. A couple scenarios:

- the Eagles package Lito Sheppard to trade up for one of the headline defensive ends like Vernon Golston (OSU) or Derrick Harvey(UF) (Miami isn’t gonna trade that top pick, and they’re all but assured to take DE Chris Long). We know that Asante Samuel is going to start at left corner, and at least from what Andy Reid says, we don’t know whether Sheldon Brown and Lito will split time, or if Andy will use Lito as a 3rd DB. Based on how this team operates, it wouldn’t make much sense to have a Pro-Bowl corner as a part-timer and to be making starter’s money. But I also thought there was no chance in hell they would pay $11 million/yr for a defensive back (Samuel), so at this point who knows. What we do know is that the phone started ringing off the hook with teams asking about Lito the day Samuel signed.

- the Eagles stay put and draft a receiver like Devin Thomas (MSU), Malcolm Kelly (Oklahoma), or a receiver/returner like DeSean Jackson (Cal). Thomas could give McNabb that big target in the redzone; Kelly could also be a factor in the redzone as he’s good on the sideline and across the middle, but he also can stretch the field, and Jackson is lightning quick and arguably the best receiver in the draft. The issue with drafting a receiver is that the Eagles offensive system is so complex and whether or not the player thinks they have it down, Andy Reid doesn’t seem to trust that they do as he just doesn’t seem to play rookies. I’ve said it all offseason - you want to draft a player that can make an impact this coming season. If they draft a wideout and he’s gonna sit on the bench then don’t draft a wideout this early.

- Andy Reid once again drafts an offensive lineman, Jeff Otah (Pitt), Chris Williams (Vandy), Branden Albert (UVA). One thing we do know, any of these kids are gonna get booed off the Garden stage if the Eagles draft them. Make no mistake, the clock is ticking on Jon Runyan and William Thomas, the Eagles offensive tackles. Also, left guard was a bit of a problem last year. So moving forward, you could understand why the Eagles take an offensive lineman early and look out for their future. But the fans don’t wanna see this, and it doesn’t exactly answer McNabb’s call for playmakers. If they’re in it to win it NEXT YEAR, then the Eagles need to hold off on drafting on O-lineman this early.

A deep secondary wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world for the ‘Birds. Defensive backs Samuel, Brown, Sheppard, and recently re-signed Joselio Hanson, coupled with safeties Brian Dawkins, J.R. Reed, and Quinton Mikell, and the Eagles are gonna be tough to throw on. If they hang onto Sheppard, Brown can spell an aging Dawkins who missed a lot of time with injuries last season. They still need another playmaking pass rusher opposite Trent Cole, as the Giants showed that a fierce defensive rush can win a Super Bowl. While everyone concentrated on the pass rush (and they should have - the d-line should have won the Super Bowl MVP as a unit) everyone forgets that, hey they also have a game-changing wide receiver in Plaxico Burress, and David Tyree made a play that you couldn’t dream of any of these current receivers making. The draft can get the Eagles a playmaking Defensive End if the cards fall right. As far as an impact WR, they won’t get someone who can help them next year in this draft. Don’t get your hopes up, but Chad Johnson is still not happy in Cinci and he’s still demanding a trade. And, the Bengals defense was 26th in passing yards allowed per game, and 29th in passing TD’s allowed. Sounds like they could use a Pro-Bowl defensive back.