The Philadelphia Eagles obviously have never been too impressed with second-year pro Kevin Kolb. He always seems to be their Plan C option. So who was their Plan B? Apparently they nearly acquired both Colin Kaepernick and Russell Wilson before the 2012 NFL Draft.
In weeks leading up to 2012 draft, Eagles came close to trading 2nd-rd pick to 49ers for Colin Kaepernick….
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 15, 2013
According to Schefter the Eagles opted not to make the trade so that they could target Russell Wilson in the third round. Having handed the Eagles starting job to Michael Vick, Andy Reid had no qualms with height concerns surrounding Wilson. Obviously, that strategy failed. It mirrors the Niners preempting the Raiders by drafting Kaepernick in the second round of the 2011 Draft. Instead they took Terrelle Pryor, who shares many of the same measurables.
The Eagles could have just taken the safe route and drafted Wilson in the second over current starting SAM linebacker Mychal Kendricks. However, NFL GMs are at the mercy of the draft board and Wilson was graded as a third rounder, not a late second round pick. Not every front office is as brave as the Buffalo Bills taking second round prospect EJ Manuel in the mid-first round. When you see a quarterback you want, you just have to do whatever it takes to select them. Draft boards be damned.
Vick should be sending Christmas gifts to 49ers general manager Trent Baalke and the Seattle Seahawks brain trust of Pete Carroll and John Schneider.
