The Eagles need a lot more talent than they are letting on in my opinion. I think head coach Andy Reid thinks this team is a still a Super Bowl contender. But as the team is currently constituted. I just don’t see it. This team needs a lot to be of that caliber again.

The Birds are in dire need of a pass-rushing defensive end opposite Trent Cole. They could use a pass-rushing defensive tackle as well. A star, playmaking strong-side linebacker would be nice. The team needs another running back. There is no one behind LeSean McCoy at that position. I am not in love with their offensive tackles either. I am willing to give Jason Peters another year to prove himself. But Winston Justice is a marginal football player. I think the squad needs to go in another direction at right corner back also. Sheldon Brown no longer has the speed and recovery skills needed to play that position at a high level. Brown should be moved to free safety. I think he would excel there. He is physical enough, and certainly smart enough to make the proper defensive calls. Philadelphia also needs a mauling-type player at the right guard position. A center may be required as well with the uncertainty surrounding Jamaal Jackson’s health. Do you see what I’m getting at here?

This team needs a lot. And I’m not talking about depth. The squad that walked off the field after the blowout loss to the Dallas Cowboys in the playoffs last season is simply not good enough to seriously compete for a championship.

The Eagles are counting on Stewart Bradley returning to the form he enjoyed before suffering a knee injury that sidelined him for all of the 2009-10 season. For the team’s sake, he had better regain that form, because the defense was not very good without him last year. And not one of the Birds who tried at middle linebacker was able to adequately fill Bradley’s shoes.

Former Indianapolis Colt, Marlin Jackson was brought in to play either safety or corner. When healthy, Jackson is a very good football player. The catch is that the University of Michigan product has blown out both knees in the last two years. And it usually takes a year or so for a player to fully recover from one ACL tear, let alone two in different knees. And the abilities to cut, start and stop on a dime, and run well enough to keep up with wide receivers is a must at the corner or free safety position in today’s NFL.

We’ll just have to see where he [Jackson] fits in.

Here are some draft possibilities for the Birds with the 24th pick in the first round: Maurkice Pouncey a center from the University of Florida would be a nice choice. The Eagles will need a good center with the injury to Jamaal Jackson. Pouncey is a good athlete. He can play center and guard. The 6-5, 310-pounder is excellent at shotgun snapping. Pouncey received the Remington Award which is given to college football’s best center in 2009. He sets up quickly for pass-protection. Pouncey takes very good angles when blocking on running plays. The versatile lineman is known for his leadership skills and intelligence on the football field.

I would love to see Carlos Dunlap a defensive end from the University of Florida drop to pick 24. Dunlap has ideal size for a defensive end at 6-6, 285 lbs. He has a variety of pass-rush moves to get to the quarterback. Dunlap could play inside on passing downs which would be a plus for the Eagles. This team needs to generate more of a rush from the defensive tackle position on third and long. Dunlap is powerful. He will need to work on his technique a bit. At times, he doesn’t get off the snap as quickly as one would like. He also needs to be more consistent from snap to snap. But for his skill-set, Dunlap could be a real bargain if he falls to the Birds at 24.

Brian Price, a defensive tackle from UCLA, is a guy who could help the Eagles. Price has a good motor. He is quick off the ball and could definitely bolster the Eagles pass-rush from the inside. Price has a swift first step. He recognizes plays fast. The 6-2, 300-pound defensive tackle is fairly disciplined in controlling his gap. He is extremely tough. Price was always the guy that stood out for UCLA’s defense this season when I watched them. He has a strong club move. Price also has active hands; he doesn’t allow offensive lineman to get their hands into him. The stout tackle possesses extremely good short-area quickness. He would be an upgrade from what Philadelphia presently has at the defensive tackle position. Price reminds some of Warren Sapp with his playing-style. He had 7 sacks in 2009.

Jahvid Best is a running back from the University of California who will probably be there when the Eagles select in the first round. Best is a blur. He runs a sub 4.4 in the 40-yard-dash. He can cut on a dime and change direction with the same swiftness. Best could be an ideal change-of-pace back in the National Football League. The Birds presently have just one good running back on their roster in LeSean McCoy. You need two good backs to be a successful team in the league. Best is faster than McCoy. And a niftier runner. But he will likely not be able to be an every-down back as his frame is slight. Best is 5-10 and only about 195 lbs. The home-run-hitting tailback will need to improve on his blocking skills, however. Another plus is that California runs a pro-style offense. Philadelphia might be able to catch lightning in a bottle once again. As they did with another Golden Bear, DeSean Jackson.

Jonathan Dwyer is a big, powerful running back from Georgia Tech. Dwyer is 5-11, 230 lbs. He is a load to tackle. And could be the back the Eagles need for short-yardage situations. Dwyer is not a great receiver. Nor does he have breakaway speed. But he runs in the 4.55-range. Dwyer is a patient runner and sets up blocks very well. He runs with a consistent forward lean. Dwyer also has a good straight-ahead burst. He is not really an east-west kind of runner. Dwyer should be there when the Eagles select at pick 24.

Safety Earl Thomas is a possibility. The University of Texas product has a similar skill set to what Brian Dawkins had coming out of Clemson. And is actually the same size at 5-10, 208 lbs. Thomas has excellent hips for a safety and could probably play corner in the NFL as well. Though, he is projected as a free safety. Thomas mans 4.4 speed in the 40. He is an awfully physical safety. And thoroughly embraces contact against the run-game and when he is drilling wide receivers over the middle of the football field. Thomas has terrific awareness and is good at diagnosing a play. He also does a good job of playing the ball in the air.

Mike Iupati from the University of Idaho is just the kind of mauling guard the Birds need. How any of the Big Ten schools missed on this kid is beyond me. Iupati is a bruiser in the running game. He plays hard on every snap. What a concept. Iupati is lucky to have long arms, which is always a plus for an offensive lineman. He is massive, at 6-5, 330 lbs. Though, he moves well for a guy that size. Iupati does a great job of finishing blocks. He will need a little coaching on his footwork for pass-blocking. Iupati could be a guy who plays in the NFL for a long time. He will definitely be the first guard to come off the board. And it might be a long shot to expect him to be there at pick 24. If he is, the Eagles should seriously consider drafting him.

Kyle Wilson, a corner back from the University of Boise State, could also help the Eagles if he fell to 24. Sheldon Brown is clearly not the corner he once was. Wilson might be a nice replacement for the slow-footed Brown. He [Wilson] is clocked at around 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard-dash. The 5-10, 190-pound corner is a tenacious defender who will fight for the ball against bigger receivers. He is not afraid of physical contact in the run game either. Wilson possesses excellent body control. And has the ability to return kicks.