Despite endless hours of repetitive talking, the NFL Draft is always one of my most favorite weekends, because it usually provides the fodder we need to argue our team's case for NFL supremacy the next season, despite that being five months away.

I know that draft picks build a team for the future, but that doesn't mean the Eagles can't tweak this year's team enough to add one or two wins to their expected 2008 total.

After signing starter-quality free agents like Asante Samuel and Chris Clemons, the Eagles addressed their depth chart by adding Rocky Boiman and Dan Klecko, but there are still a few meaningful holes to address on the 2008 roster.

In this draft, the Eagles have 11 draft picks, but eight of them fall in rounds four through seven. The Eagles don't have that many open roster spots, so I would expect them to look to trade a few of the late picks for 2009 selections, or in packages to move up for intriguing, yet falling, prospects in the middle rounds. In the end, I would only expect to see probably six or seven selections by the Eagles this year.

With those selections, look for the Eagles to address their needs at wide receiver, safety, defensive line, offensive line, and kickoff/punt returner.

The first need is the most intriguing because of the Lito (whoa, oh-oh-oh) Sheppard situation.

My personal opinion is that the Eagles should keep Lito, and have the best trio of cornerbacks in the NFL, especially considering the fact that the NFC East is home to guys like Plaxico Burress and Terrell Owens. It wouldn't make sense to trade Lito for a second round pick and then draft a corner who is worse than him. The only intelligent reason to trade Lito would be if the Eagles could get a number one receiver in return.

Potential wide receivers to trade for:
Chad Johnson: Hopefully the Bengals finally have gotten tired of Ocho Cinco's whiny antics and would do a one-for-one trade. The only problem is that his cap hit is huge until June 1, making a trade this weekend highly unlikely.

Roy Williams: Rumors have started circulating that the Eagles are making a strong play for Detroit's top receiver. Williams is in the final year of his contract, and the Lions have Calvin Johnson making a ton of money in his rookie contract, so with the right deal and enough coaxing, the Eagles could pry him away.

Anquan Boldin: Arizona's other wide receiver is probably pretty ticked off that he's making chicken scratch in comparison to the $40 million contract that his teammate, Larry Fitzgerald, signed this offseason. The Cardinals were in cap trouble before re-signing Fitzgerald, so maybe they trade Boldin before he becomes too expensive and forces their hand.

Brandon Marshall: The T.O.-esque young receiver in Denver has fallen out of favor with his quarterback, Jay Cutler, because of all of his off-the-field troubles. Is that enough of a reason to ship him out of the Mile High City? Probably not. But that doesn't mean the Eagles won't ask.

If none of the established wide receivers are coming to Philly this weekend, the only one in the draft that I would look at in the first round is Devin Thomas of Michigan State. He's 6-2, 216 pounds, and ran a 4.4-second 40-yard dash.

The other projected first round receivers are either too small (DeSean Jackson) or too slow (Malcolm Kelly) for the Eagles offense. If Thomas isn't there at number 19, they should look elsewhere in the first round.

And if they are looking elsewhere, where better than the defensive side of the ball, and specifically, the defensive line? As the New York Giants showed during the playoffs, you can never have enough quality pass rushers.

Right now, the Eagles have Pro Bowl defensive end Trent Cole and Juqua Thomas as starters, with under-sized Chris Clemons thrown in solely to blitz. While I think 2007 second round pick Victor Abiamiri will progress this year, I would like a fifth option in case of injury or ineffectiveness.

Several weeks ago, I suggested that the Eagles should look at Clemson's Phillip Merling (6-4, 276) and Miami's Calais Campbell (6-8, 290). Both should be around when the Eagles pick, and both are big run stuffing ends who can spell Cole and Clemons on obvious running downs and two-tight end sets.

In the second round, I'd like to see the Eagles grab the best available safety, or even trade up from the 49th pick to grab someone like Kenny Phillips or Tyrell Johnson. Phillips would be an ideal heir-apparent to Brian Dawkins. He is 6-2, 212 pounds, runs a sub-4.5 40-yard dash, and hits like a truck.

In fact, the Eagles might be best served to again trade down in the first round (for an additional 2009 pick) and grab Phillips in the late 20s of the first round.

To address the rest of the needs, the Eagles should just take the best player available in rounds three through seven, with one exception. I'd love to see the Eagles draft Dexter Jackson, the little speed demon wide receiver from Appalachian State, in the third or fourth round. His 4.37-speed would fill the gaping hole at kickoff/punt returner that has plagued the Eagles for the last few years.

If you don't believe me, check out his performance in their September upset over Michigan. Jackson had three catches for 92 yards and two touchdowns. He also had a 19-yard end around run, and returned punts. The kid is pure home run hitter on the football field, registering seven catches of more than 40 yards during his senior year.

You know what? I don't really care who they pick. I'm sure I'll be happy with the draft as long as Andy Reid doesn't draft an offensive lineman in the first round.