Go figure.

Two weeks ago, the Eagles didn't lift a finger to try to hang on to Pro Bowl defensive end William Fuller, who signed with San Diego.

Then, Saturday, they selected his probable replacement and quickly admitted that he won't be able to fill Fuller's shoes.

"I'm not trying to say this young man will fill William's shoes,'' said coach Ray Rhodes after selecting Virginia defensive end Jon Harris late in the first round. "I don't think there was a player (in the draft) that could fill William Fuller's shoes.''

Harris, a 6-71/2, 274-pounder who had just three sacks for the Cavaliers last season, was projected as no better than a third-rounder on most NFL teams' draft boards. But the Eagles saw fit to take him with the 25th overall selection.

Rhodes quickly compared Harris to former NFL ends Too Tall Jones and Art Still.

"He's a young Too Tall,'' said Rhodes. "He might be more fluid than Too Tall. I've always wanted a big, tall, young, long-armed, massive defensive end.''

Harris may turn out to be a decent player. But their decision to take him in the first round was questionable. They could have grabbed falling wide receiver Rae Carruth, who went two picks later to Carolina, and still have gotten Harris in the second round.

But the Eagles say that's not necessarily true. They say there were at least three other teams -- Green Bay, New Orleans and the New York Jets -- who were giving serious thought to snatching Harris either at the end of the first round or early in the second.

Even Harris was openly shocked that he went in the first round.

"The Eagles called me and said they would try to get me,'' he said. "But I didn't know they meant with the first-round pick. That was a big surprise to me.''

The Eagles ended up with 11 picks in last weekend's draft. Rhodes went into it hoping to find three, maybe even four, starters. It remains to be seen whether he accomplished his objective.

Unless the Eagles are able to find a DE in free agency, Harris likely will be the season-opening starter at Fuller's old position on the left side.

Second-round pick James Darling, an inside linebacker out of Washington State, is a punishing hitter who could unseat incumbent middle linebacker James Willis.

The only other potential '97 starter, and this is a big if, is safety Damien Robinson, a fourth-round pick out of Iowa who could push 34-year-old strong safety Mike Zordich.

With Ricky Watters entering the final year of his contract, and talented backup Charlie Garner seldom able to carry the ball more than five times in a row without stubbing a toe or spraining an ankle or bruising a knee, the Eagles needed to get a running back in the draft.

But they waited too long to pull the trigger. There was a run on ball-carriers early in the draft's third round, with Iowa's Sedrick Shaw, Iowa State's Troy Davis and Tennessee's Jay Graham going 1-2-4 in the round. By the time the Eagles traded up, the best back left on their list was South Carolina's Duce Staley, who was rated considerably lower than Shaw, Davis and Graham.

All in all, not a very impressive performance by Rhodes.

ROUND-BY-ROUND ANALYSIS

Round 1/25 -- Jon Harris, DE, 6-7 1/2, 274, Virginia

Few, if any, NFL teams had Harris rated as high as the Eagles. The free agency departure of William Fuller made DE a high priority. Eagles will put Harris on the left side along with their newest free-agent acquisition, LB Darrin Smith.

Round 2/57 -- James Darling, MLB, Washington State

Rhodes said he wants defensive players with nasty dispositions, and Darling seems to fit the bill. Good cover man and big-time hitter. Will challenge incumbent MLB James Willis, who was not particularly impressive in his first season as a starter.

Round 3/71 -- Duce Staley, RB, South Carolina

A decent runner who finished 13th in the nation in rushing in '96. Starter Ricky Watters is a Pro Bowler. But backup Charlie Garner's fragile makeup makes him too unreliable. Eagles also think Staley will be a solid special teams player.

Round 4/119 -- Damien Robinson, S, Iowa

Spent his first two years at Iowa as a corner before being switched to safety. Eagles like his size and hitting ability and project him as an eventual replacement for 34-year-old strong safety Mike Zordich.

Round 5/152 -- Ndukwe Kalu, DE, Rice

A three-year starter whose strength is rushing the passer. Had five sacks for the Owls in '96. Has a 39-inch vertical leap, which could add up to a lot of deflected passes. Eagles have been disappointed in the play of backup DE Greg Jefferson, a '95 third-rounder, and are looking for Kalu to unseat him.

Round 5/155 -- Luther Broughton, TE, Furman

Was Furman's all-time leading receiver with 131 career catches, including 51 last year. Good hands and speed, but too small to be a regular tight end. Better suited for a team that uses an H-back. Was a DE and LB early in his career and could make it as a special-teamer.

Round 6/190 -- Antwuan Wyatt, WR, 5-10, 199, Bethune-Cookman

Caught 45 passes at Clemson in '95 before being dismissed from team for disciplinary reasons. Transferred to Bethune-Cookman and caught 70 passes last season. Can return punts and kicks, which is one of the Eagles' needs.

Round 6/198 -- Ed Jasper, DT, Texas A&M

Had 57 tackles last season for Aggies, including 16 for losses and 4.5 sacks. Eagles need a big-body inside to stuff the run. He's a candidate.

Round 7/207 -- Koy Detmer, QB, Colorado

Brother of Eagles starting quarterback Ty Detmer. Smart, tough player, but doesn't have a particularly strong arm. Could hang on as the club's No. 3 QB if Eagles decide to promote second-year man Bobby Hoying to No. 2 and get rid of the odd man out in the Ty-Rodney Peete battle for the starting job.

Round 7/225 -- Byron Capers, CB, Florida State

Has the speed to play corner and the size to play safety. Eagles' starting corner tandem of Troy Vincent and Bobby Taylor is one of best in league. But they need a nickel back.

Round 7/227 -- Deauntae Brown, CB, Central (Ohio) State

NAIA player who did pretty well in post-season all star games. Another nickel candidate.