Philadelphia Eagles sign first round pick Marcus Smith to four-year deal
The Philadelphia Eagles signed the last of their NFL Draft picks by inking their first round pick Marcus Smith to a four-year deal.
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Smith was a bit of a surprise selection in the draft when the Eagles took the former Louisville Cardinals pass-rusher with the 26th pick in May’s draft and fans fans were disappointed when Smith was the team’s first round selection after they traded down four spots with the Cleveland Browns who took Johnny Manziel.
Wide receiver was a popular pick in the majority of mock drafts for Chip Kelly’s team following the release of Pro Bowl receiver DeSean Jackson in the offseason, but the Eagles went against conventional wisdom with the drafting of the edge rusher.
With receivers like Marqise Lee, Kelvin Benjamin and Jordan Matthews (they eventually took Matthews in the second round) fans were undoubtedly hoping for the “sexy” pick of a wide receiver.
Cornerback was also a position that the Eagles could address in the first round but after Darqueze Dennard went to the Cincinnati Bengals at No. 24 and Jason Verrett went to the San Diego Chargers their decision to draft offense became a little easier to take Smith.
Smith was the 2013 AAC Defensive Rookie of the Year and a first-team All-AAC selection. He had 14.5 sacks last season which was second in the FBS and 18.5 tackles for loss last season and is a perfect in the 3-4 scheme.
Smith has been working behind Connor Barwin as the team’s “Jack” linebacker, the position asks a lot out of the player in that role, and Smith has also lined up some at the less-taxing “Predator” position.