Message Boards are burning with a late-breaking rumor that would give the 49ers the Eagles’ 1st Rd (28th overall) and OL John Welbourn for the 49ers’ 1st Rd (16th overall). It is questionable whether the Eagles would be getting adequate value for Welbourn. This would definitely be a great deal for the 49ers who seem to take delight in sticking it to the Eagles. It could be that some teams are offended by Eagles Owner Jeff Laurie’s claim to the “Gold Standard” of the NFL.
Welbourn is a G who would get the better of players like Warren Sapp and Chris Jenkins. He is versatile and can play OT. Welbourn is a better OL than any OL in the draft with the exception of Gallery. If the trade occurs as rumored, the Eagles will be creating another area of high need at OL. The Eagles have already lost Bobbie Williams the backup G who was a previous 2nd Rounder. They will literally have no depth at OL.
The Eagles are rumored to be interested in DeAngelo Hall CB who is the best CB available in the draft. The other part of the rumor claims that if Hall is not available at 16th then Jon Vilma LB would be their choice. There is no doubt that Hall and Vilma would be excellent draft picks. But the cost of a 1st Rd Pick and Welbourn is very high.
The other possible target is Stephen Jackson RB. This RB is very much like Duce Staley. A big back at 6-2 241 that can be difficult to take down. He also has Duce Staley's deficiencies - he has 4.55 speed and is not as fast as Buckhalter or Westbrook. He also will have trouble taking the ball outside in the NFL and his size will not be such a dominating factor between the tackles in the NFL. Again, the cost for Jackson would be too high especially when Julius Jones and Michael Turner would be better values in the 2nd Rd.