Oct 6, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly spits during the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Much of the knock on the Dee Ford selection is that he was a reach at 23. Many felt Kansas City could have traded back from 23 and still pick Ford as late as the second round. But if this report proves true, Kansas City may have caught a break to get Ford at 23.
When the Eagles traded back from 22 to 26 last night they targeted Dee Ford a pass rusher from Auburn, but Andy Reid & KC took Ford at 23
— Jeff Skversky (@JeffSkversky) May 9, 2014
Whoopsadoodle.
One area where this draft was not deep was in pass rushing. Several of the Chiefs’ main needs, specifically at wide receiver and in the secondary, are pretty deep in this draft. But finding a legit pass rusher was going to be tough once KC picked again in the third round. This is part of the reason why John Dorsey may have leaned Ford instead of some of the other players who were available.
Philadelphia may have been thinking the same thing. The Eagles had a heck of a time trying to stop the pass in 2013 and an improved pass rush would have done wonders for them. It is clear they thought they could get their pass rusher and add another pick in the process. Dorsey and Andy Reid put a kink in that plan.
Instead of taking Ford the Eagles ended up with Marcus Smith, a defensive end from Louisville. Smith is widely being panned one of the worst, if not the worst, pick in the first round.
Let’s give it up to Dorsey and Reid. They clearly understand the board and how to send out smoke screens very well.