The NFL Draft is later than usual this season, with fans having to wait all the way until May this year to watch their teams select their future franchise leaders (well, everyone except the Raiders, whom will inevitably just find the biggest bust of the draft. It's a tradition unlike any other). But it's never too soon to think about what direction the Eagles should take in a few weeks, as they look to build off of their first playoff appearance and division title since the 2010-2011 season. Every team has a few fixes that need to be made on both sides of the ball, and Philadelphia is no different. For this article, I will play the role of Kevin Costner, except with the Eagles front office, as I try to predict what the Eagles will do come May 8th and try to add another Academy Award to my resume.
Team Needs:
1) Outside Linebacker/Pass Rusher: Obviously there is nothing wrong with Trent Cole and Connor Barwin. They are very talented players who should bring a lot to the Eagles defense this upcoming season. However, Cole will be on the books for $11.6 million if the Eagles do decide to keep him. Philadelphia can do a lot with the money they would save from that, so drafting another outside linebacker now can make it an easy transition if Cole leaves in 2015. If he stays, nothing wrong with having more depth at an important position. Anthony Barr is an intriguing prospect, if he falls to Philadelphia in the first round. Once considered a top 10 prospect, Barr is a hyper athletic player, but has only played on the defensive side of the ball for the past two years. Top 10 prospect? Probably not, but a solid find later in the first round.
Possible Picks: Trent Murphy: Stanford, Round 2, Anthony Barr: UCLA, Round 1, DeAndre Coleman: California, Round 5
2) Safety: Going into the offseason, the Eagles' safeties were easily the position most in need of an upgrade. However, with the signing of Malcolm Jenkins, their safety problems aren't as glaring as before. They can use an elite player at either safety position, which has not been seen in this city since Brian Dawkins, but it isn't as pressing of a need now that they have Jenkins, in addition to Nate Allen and Earl Wolff.
Possible Picks: Calvin Pryor: Louisville, Round 1, Dion Bailey: USC, Round 2, Ahmad Dixon: Baylor, Round 4
3) Wide Receiver: In Chip Kelly's offense, you can never have enough weapons on offense. Sure, they have Maclin and Cooper back, but Maclin is still injury prone. If he misses an extended period of time, Kelly isn't sure if Cooper could take over number one receiver responsibilities, especially if there isn't much depth at the position to begin with. Luckliy for Philadelphia, there are numerous excellent receiver prospects in this year's draft class.
Possible Picks: Marqise Lee: USC, Round 1, Davante Adams: Fresno State, Round 2, Paul Richardson: Colorado, Round 3, Cody Latimer: Indiana, Round 4, Shaquille Evans: UCLA, Round 5
4) Cornerback: I wouldn't classify cornerback as a need, as much as the Eagles could look to shore up their depth on days 2 and 3 of the draft. Right now, the birds have Cary Williams and Bradley Fletcher manning the top cornerback spots. If the Eagles feel that these guys aren't the long term solutions in the secondary, they could look to draft a corner as soon as the first round.
Possible Picks: Bradley Roby: Ohio State, Round 1, Marcus Roberson: Florida, Round 2, Lamarcus Joyner: Florida State, Round 3, Loucheiz Purifoy: Florida, Round 4
5) Offensive Line: But Dan, don't the Eagles have one of the best offensive line units in the NFL? Why yes, hypothetical person asking me this question. The Eagles are very gifted on the offensive line. The problem is that the unit is aging, with three starters over the age of 30. The lineman they draft doesn't have to start from day one, but should be groomed to fit right in when someone on the current line eventually leaves.
Possible Picks: Antonio Richardson: Tennessee, Round 2, Cyril Richardson: Baylor, Round 2, Seantrel Henderson: Miami, Round 4,
There are more needs on the defensive end for the Eagles, but they aren't perfect on either side of the ball. However, they can get closer to perfect by making the right moves in this year's draft.
Dan's Prediction:
Round 1) Calvin Pryor, Louisville, S
Round 2) Trent Murphy, Stanford, DE/OLB
Round 3) Davante Adams, Fresno State, WR
Round 4) Louchiez Purifoy, Florida, CB
Round 5) Seantrel Henderson, Miami, OL
Round 7) Chaz Sutton, South Carolina, DE
By: Dan Goggin
Follow us on twitter @Broadstbeat
1) Outside Linebacker/Pass Rusher: Obviously there is nothing wrong with Trent Cole and Connor Barwin. They are very talented players who should bring a lot to the Eagles defense this upcoming season. However, Cole will be on the books for $11.6 million if the Eagles do decide to keep him. Philadelphia can do a lot with the money they would save from that, so drafting another outside linebacker now can make it an easy transition if Cole leaves in 2015. If he stays, nothing wrong with having more depth at an important position. Anthony Barr is an intriguing prospect, if he falls to Philadelphia in the first round. Once considered a top 10 prospect, Barr is a hyper athletic player, but has only played on the defensive side of the ball for the past two years. Top 10 prospect? Probably not, but a solid find later in the first round.
Possible Picks: Trent Murphy: Stanford, Round 2, Anthony Barr: UCLA, Round 1, DeAndre Coleman: California, Round 5
2) Safety: Going into the offseason, the Eagles' safeties were easily the position most in need of an upgrade. However, with the signing of Malcolm Jenkins, their safety problems aren't as glaring as before. They can use an elite player at either safety position, which has not been seen in this city since Brian Dawkins, but it isn't as pressing of a need now that they have Jenkins, in addition to Nate Allen and Earl Wolff.
Possible Picks: Calvin Pryor: Louisville, Round 1, Dion Bailey: USC, Round 2, Ahmad Dixon: Baylor, Round 4
3) Wide Receiver: In Chip Kelly's offense, you can never have enough weapons on offense. Sure, they have Maclin and Cooper back, but Maclin is still injury prone. If he misses an extended period of time, Kelly isn't sure if Cooper could take over number one receiver responsibilities, especially if there isn't much depth at the position to begin with. Luckliy for Philadelphia, there are numerous excellent receiver prospects in this year's draft class.
Possible Picks: Marqise Lee: USC, Round 1, Davante Adams: Fresno State, Round 2, Paul Richardson: Colorado, Round 3, Cody Latimer: Indiana, Round 4, Shaquille Evans: UCLA, Round 5
4) Cornerback: I wouldn't classify cornerback as a need, as much as the Eagles could look to shore up their depth on days 2 and 3 of the draft. Right now, the birds have Cary Williams and Bradley Fletcher manning the top cornerback spots. If the Eagles feel that these guys aren't the long term solutions in the secondary, they could look to draft a corner as soon as the first round.
Possible Picks: Bradley Roby: Ohio State, Round 1, Marcus Roberson: Florida, Round 2, Lamarcus Joyner: Florida State, Round 3, Loucheiz Purifoy: Florida, Round 4
5) Offensive Line: But Dan, don't the Eagles have one of the best offensive line units in the NFL? Why yes, hypothetical person asking me this question. The Eagles are very gifted on the offensive line. The problem is that the unit is aging, with three starters over the age of 30. The lineman they draft doesn't have to start from day one, but should be groomed to fit right in when someone on the current line eventually leaves.
Possible Picks: Antonio Richardson: Tennessee, Round 2, Cyril Richardson: Baylor, Round 2, Seantrel Henderson: Miami, Round 4,
There are more needs on the defensive end for the Eagles, but they aren't perfect on either side of the ball. However, they can get closer to perfect by making the right moves in this year's draft.
Dan's Prediction:
Round 1) Calvin Pryor, Louisville, S
Round 2) Trent Murphy, Stanford, DE/OLB
Round 3) Davante Adams, Fresno State, WR
Round 4) Louchiez Purifoy, Florida, CB
Round 5) Seantrel Henderson, Miami, OL
Round 7) Chaz Sutton, South Carolina, DE
By: Dan Goggin
Follow us on twitter @Broadstbeat
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