A closer look at the Eagles' picks:
Round 2/pick #36: Kevin Kolb, QB, 6-3, 218, Houston
The Eagles traded out of the first round, then shocked everyone by taking Kolb four picks into the second round. The Eagles insist taking Kolb has nothing to do with the future of Donovan McNabb. They say Kolb simply was their highest rated player on the board at the time.
Round 2/pick #57: Victor Abiamiri, DE, 6-4, 267, Notre Dame
Abiamiri led the Irish with 10.5 sacks last season. With Darren Howard coming off a sub-par season and Jevon Kearse returning from a torn ACL, Abiamiri could force his way into the end picture this summer.
Round 3/pick #87: Stewart Bradley, LB, 6-4, 254, Nebraska
Bradley becomes the latest entrant in a crowded strongside linebacker derby. Undersized Dhani Jones has been the starter the last two seasons and the Eagles would like to replace him. Bradley
also can play the MIKE position.
Round 3/pick #90: Tony Hunt, RB, 6-2, 233, Penn State
Hunt was viewed as a possible second-round pick until he ran a 4.6 forty at his Pro Day workout. Rushed for 1,228 yards last year at Penn State. Gives the Eagles a much-needed power-back option to starter Brian Westbrook.
Round 5/pick #159: C.J. Gaddis, CB, 5-11, 203, Clemson
Gaddis is a strong, physical defensive back who benched-pressed 225 pounds 20 times at the scouting combine. His appeal to the Eagles is that he can play both corner and safety. Should be able to contribute on special teams.
Round 5/pick #162: Brent Celek, TE, 6-4, 248, Cincinnati
Celek doesn't have the kind of seam-stretching speed that Eagles starter L.J. Smith has. He's a pretty good blocker and a solid possession receiver who caught 35 passes and averaged 13.7 yards per catch last season. He should be able to make an immediate contribution on special teams.
Round 6/pick #201: Rashad Barksdale, CB, 6-2, 210, Albany
Barksdale's size and speed - he ran a 4.38 in a pre-draft workout for scouts - prompted the Eagles to draft him. He admitted to being "shocked" that the Eagles drafted him, figuring his best shot
would come as an undrafted free agent.
Round 7/pick #236: Nate Ilaoa, RB, 5-9, 250, Hawaii
Shaped like a bowling ball, Ilaoa is a former wideout with decent speed who averaged 7.6 yards per carry. He is a load to tackle and could be used as both a halfback and fullback.
BEST PICK: RB Tony Hunt. At long last, the Eagles addressed their need for a bigger back to complement Brian Westbrook, selecting the 6-1 1/2, 233-pound Hunt in the third round. Hunt is a much more powerful runner than Westbrook's backup, Correll Buckhalter, who has had 3 knee operations, and likely will be used a lot in short-yardage and goal-line situations.
COULD SURPRISE: DE Victor Abiamiri. The Eagles' roster is well-stocked with bodies at defensive end, and their four-man rotation for '07 appears set. But veteran Darren Howard is coming
off a poor season and their other starter Jevon Kearse is coming off an ACL injury. With a solid training camp and preseason, Abiamiri could play his way into the rotation.