(gif via KSK)
Both reactions are pretty good.
"Hmm, I don't know, seems like a stretch" in the front and "Are you kidding me?" in the back.
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The Philadelphia Eagles selected Marcus Smith out of Louisville with the 26th pick in the 2014 NFL Draft after swapping their original No. 22 pick to Cleveland for the aforementioned 26th and a 3rd rounder (83rd overall) as well. The pick swap seemed like the right move, great value for sliding back four picks. But Smith? That pick seemed like a stretch based on all draft boards other than Chip Kelly and Howie Roseman's. Smith played DE in college but projects to an OLB in the NFL.
Here's what Chip Kelly said about Smith late last night:
“We think he’s an outstanding athlete. Got recruited to Louisville as a quarterback," head coach Chip Kelly said. "He’s a big kid. He’s transitioned to the OLB position. He’s got a huge upside. Great athlete. Ran 4.68, he’s got speed coming off the edge. We thought having a pass rusher was a big thing for us. Young kid to bring in behind Trent [Cole] and Connor [Barwin]. His ceiling is very, very high. We’re excited. He’s a tough, hard-nosed football player. New to the position. Similar to Lane Johnson -- you’re getting a guy who’s a huge upside because he hasn’t played the position very long."
Will the upside be realized?
News
Heck, even Marcus thought he could go in the 2nd or 3rd round:
Marcus Smith on the phone w/ the media. Said he's happy to go in the first round, but thought he might go in second or third #EaglesTalk
— John Gonzalez (@gonzoCSN) May 9, 2014
Marcus Smith about whether he thought he'd get picked in the first round: "I had a feeling I would, but I didn't know exactly. I thought ...
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) May 9, 2014
... that maybe I was looking at early second, maybe even the third round. But I'm just so happy the Eagles took a chance on me."
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) May 9, 2014
The second round starts later this evening.
More of our coverage here: Marcus Smith