With the #21 pick in the 2009 MHR Community Mock Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles select.... WR, HAKEEM NICKS, UNC

Philadelphia Eagles Round 1, Pick #21 overall GM ejruiz

Details of the pick after the jump...

Best routes since Royal in 08.

From GM ejruiz:  The unexpected Jay Cutler trade and Denver’s subsequent pick of University of Georgia RB Knowshon Moreno at #18 left us scrambling a bit for an adequate choice at this spot. All of our other top targets were also picked up prior to our time on the clock and most of the remaining top prospects don’t quite fit our schemes; nevertheless, we still feel comfortable with our eventual choice. After all, the Eagles are a team with few – if any – truly glaring needs thanks to forward-thinking drafts in the past and the versatility of several key players. The void at offense tackle can be resolved internally if necessary, while RB and TE can be effectively addressed with later picks. Therefore, I felt at ease making a slight reach for what some may deem to be a luxury prospect.  

 
As the quintessential possession receiver, Hakeem Nicks provides a skill set unlike any other in Philadelphia at that position. His presence should improve the WR corps as a whole by allowing the current members of that group to slide into roles more suited to their particular abilities. Moreover, we hope that QB Donovan McNabb appreciates this attempt to upgrade the weapons that surround him. Though he does not have all the elite tools to work with, Nicks more than makes up for that with exceptional skills. His lack of frontline speed is offset and then some by his reliable hands, disciplined route-running, impressive ball skills, outstanding awareness, overall toughness, and top-notch intangibles. We look forward to his often spectacular contributions for years to come. 

Commish's Thoughts:  Solid pick, with solid reasoning.  Nicks 'feels' like an Eddie Royal type of player, and the only surprise to me is how popular he seems to be with analysts and the like, since usually his makeup is underappreciated.  Call it a testament to his production at UNC.

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ON THE CLOCK Minnesota Vikings are up next.  We are starting to get into the meat and potatoes of the draft, with each pick being more likely to be a sliding player, or long armed reach.  Will the Viking's GM be able to hold those forces at bay? The deadline for this pick is NOON MST, April 6th.  As long as I receive the pick by that time it will be valid.  To send me the pick, just email me at the address shown in my profile.

Minnesota Vikings Round 1, Pick #22 Overall GM War Eagle Aubie

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Round One

1. Detroit Lions:  McDah               OLB Aaron Curry, Wake Forest
   
2. St.Louis Rams:  53guys          OT Jason Smith, Baylor
   
3. Kansas City Chiefs:  Papisan        DE/OLB Brian Orakpo, Texas  
4. Seattle Seahawks:  Denver_Native         OT, Eugene Monroe, Virginia
5. Cleveland Browns:  Zappa               WR, Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
6. Cincinnati Bengals:  DukeTC                    OT, Michael Oher, Ole Miss
   
7. Oakland Raiders:  V. Money                          DT/NT, BJ Raji, Boston College
8. Jacksonville Jaguars:  gunnermc               QB, Matt Stafford, Georgia
9. Green Bay Packers:  Broncosorbust          OLB, Clay Matthews, USC
10. San Francisco 49ers:  Elway's Ghost         DE/OLB, Everette Brown, Florida St.
11. Buffalo Bills:  Rep56                        TE, Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma St.
12. Denver Broncos:  broncofan91                            OLB, Brian Cushing, USC
13. Washington Redskins:  Chawkins06                    DE Aaron Maybin, Penn St.
14. New Orleans Saints:   gnarlybroncodude             DB, Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio St.
15. Houston Texans:  PredominantlyOrange            WR, Jeremy Maclin, Missouri
16. San Diego Chargers:  Sadaraine                         ILB, Rey Maualuga, USC
17. New York Jets:  danelama                                    QB, Mark Sanchez, USC
18. Denver Broncos (from Chicago):  Combat Chuk            RB, Knowshon Moreno, Georgia
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers:  OrangeCrush4082              QB, Josh Freeman, Kansas St.
20. (Dallas Cowboys) Lions:  BDAWKisaBRONC          OT, Andre Smith, Alabama
21. Philadelphia Eagles:  ejruiz                        WR, Hakeem Nicks, UNC
22. Minnesota Vikings:  War Eagle Aubie                 ON THE CLOCK
23. New England Patriots  bronco-Maine-iac           ON DECK
24. Atlanta Falcons:  Stovie47
25. Miami Dolphins:  adamriggs
26. Baltimore Ravens  mla2131
27. Indianapolis Colts:  chikndnnr
28. (Carolina Panthers) Eagles:   bcfunk
29. New York Giants:  Russ
30. Tennessee Titans:   Broncoman
31. Arizona Cardinals:  Calibroncoboy
32. Pittsburgh Steelers:  PABroncofan