I'm excited about the Eagles draft class. I know some fans are upset with Andy Reid and Tom Heckert for trading out of the first round. They feel the team should have taken some "impact" player." I said for most of the spring that the team would move up or back. Either way, I figured they would not stay with the 19th pick. The value was awkward for the team at that spot.

Reid said the Eagles tried to move up, but weren't able to pull off a deal. Who they targeted isn't all that important. The deals didn't come to fruition so Reid and Heckert did the wise thing in moving back. The extra first-round pick will make next year's draft a lot of fun. The Eagles will have a chance to be very aggressive or add some key players.

Sudden Impact

I really like the group of players the Eagles added. One of the things I like most is that the players who were drafted offer some immediate help. Huh? Didn't they trade back? How could those guys add impact? The players we took fit into the lineup as role players.

Trevor Laws has a chance to play right away. I fully expect him to challenge for the No. 3 defensive tackle spot this summer. DeSean Jackson should be the primary punt returner from the minute he hits the practice field. Bryan Smith can be a situational rusher. Quintin Demps could play his way to being the No. 3 safety early on. He also could be the primary kickoff returner.

The draft picks have the skill set and experience to handle the roles I mentioned. Laws is a high-motor defensive tackle. He will go 100 mph on every snap. That is perfect for a backup lineman. Jackson returned six punts for a touchdown at Cal. He was the most dynamic returner in the whole draft. Smith had 31 career sacks. He is a pure pass rusher. Put him at end and tell him to go get the quarterback. Demps has experience at corner and safety. He has experience returning kickoffs and punts. Expect immediate impact from this draft class.

If Anything, The Eagles Are Faster

Special Teams Will Be Better

One of the keys to this draft class was getting guys who could contribute on special teams. The Eagles did a great job of that. Jackson and Demps are gifted return men with seven career touchdowns between them. They bring speed and excitement to the return game. The offense had trouble scoring points last year. One of the key problems was always having to go a long way. The Eagles were near the bottom of the league in average starting field position. That should not be the case with the rookie returners now on hand.

Jackson is incredibly elusive. He can make multiple guys miss. He offers not only the ability to break 15-20 yard returns, but someone who can produce game-changing plays. Don't expect him to be like Devin Hester, but there is a good chance that punt returns will be exciting on a regular basis for the first time since 2003 when Brian Westbrook was the full-time punt returner. When he does get out in the open, no one is going to catch him with the kind of speed he has.

Trevor Laws blocked three kicks this year and six for his career. He also is the kind of guy who will be more than happy to go out and cover kicks or block on the return units. Bryan Smith has the size and speed to be a factor on the coverage units. Mike McGlynn was the long snapper at Pitt for three years. He can be a backup to Jon Dorenbos or possibly challenge for his job. Studebaker could be very good at covering kicks. He's big and runs well. Joe Mays could be outstanding on special teams. He might remind you of former players Jason Short, Keith Adams or Tank Daniels. Mays is a powerful hitter and very aggressive player. I can easily see him blowing up the wedge on kickoffs.

Another Defensive Tackle?

Some fans are uncomfortable with the notion that the team's first draft choice projects to being a backup for the foreseeable future. I understand where those fans are coming from, but don't agree with them.

Probably the two best defensive units Jim Johnson has had in Philly featured three good defensive tackles. The 2001 team had Corey Simon, Hollis Thomas and Paul Grasmanis. The 2004 unit had Simon, Darwin Walker and Sam Rayburn. You really need three players to rotate on the inside.

I was very happy to see the team select Trevor Laws. He has the skill set and attitude to handle being a backup. Check out this blurb from an interview Matt Alkire did with him for ScoutsNotebook.com. In response to being asked the difference between practice and games, Laws said, "There is something more live about when the running back has the ball and you have the chance to put some punishment on him."

Does that sound like the kind of guy you want coming off the bench or what? The full interview is still posted at ScoutsNotebook.com.

Our Crystal Ball Was Accurate

• Back in December we posted an All-American team at Scouts Notebook. Trevor Laws was one of the defensive tackles. Quintin Demps was the free safety.
• I also wrote this blurb in December about Mike McGlynn: "Let's talk about offensive linemen. Two guys I love to watch are Mike McGlynn of Pitt and Devin Clark of New Mexico. Neither guy has the feet for tackle in the NFL. They'll need to shift inside and play guard. I love watching both guys because they are physical, nasty blockers. They really get after the defender that they're blocking. Some linemen are almost passive as they block. Not these guys. They attack."
• Among the undrafted players, receivers Shaheer McBride and Terrell Golden are perfect for the West Coast offense. I'm just not sure if they are athletic enough for the NFL. Frantz Hardy is a clone of Greg Lewis, in size and style of play. Tackle Franklin Dunbar is the best player. He has a good shot to make the practice squad if he shows he can handle NFL speed this summer at Lehigh.