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Eagles talk to California's DeSean Jackson
If nothing else, the Eagles are interviewing wide receivers.
California's DeSean Jackson was at the NovaCare Complex yesterday for an interview with team officials. His visit came one day after he spent time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have the 20th overall pick in the draft. The Eagles select one spot in front of Tampa Bay at No. 19.
Jackson, who caught 65 passes for 762 yards and six touchdowns in his junior season at Cal, is considered the fastest of the receivers expected to be taken in the first round of the April 26 draft. His time of 4.35 seconds in the 40-yard dash was the best among wide receivers at the scouting combine in Indianapolis. At 5-foot-10 and 169 pounds, DeSean Jackson is also the smallest of the top-echelon receivers.
He had impressive numbers in his final season at Cal despite suffering a sprained left thumb in the Golden Bears' opener. While no rookie receiver has come in and had a major impact during coach Andy Reid's first nine years as the head coach, Jackson could help the Eagles in another area as well.
As a sophomore, Jackson was an all-American punt returner for Cal, leading the nation with an 18.2-yard return average while scoring a Pac-10 record four touchdowns. He finished his career with six punt returns for touchdowns.
Jackson, by most accounts, is considered the second best receiver in the draft behind Michigan State's Devin Thomas, who at 6-2 and 215 pounds is much bigger than Jackson.
The Eagles have drafted a wide receiver in the first round only once during coach Andy Reid's tenure, and the decision to take UCLA's Freddie Mitchell didn't work out so well.
Boise State offensive tackle Ryan Clady and Virginia guard Branden Albert have also made recent visits with the Eagles. Clady and Albert are both 6-6 and 309 pounds and expected to go in the first round of the draft.
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