The Eagles finished 7-9 last year, accounting for 4th place in the competitive NFC East. What was glaring in the inaugural year of potential franchise quarterback Carson Wentz was that the Birds lacked playmakers. Entering the very busy NFL offseason, the Eagles will be focused on opening up cap space to strategically pursue free agents come March 9th and to effectively find quality starters and depth in the upcoming NFL Draft (April 27-29) in Philadelphia. Howie Roseman and Joe Douglas will be attached to the hip from now on through that period as the Eagles try to reshape their roster. What are clear needs encompass the following: wide receiver, cornerback, running back, offensive and defensive line depth. The following is our first crack at projecting Eagles picks in the draft in rounds 1 through 7.
Here we go:
Round 1, Pick 14 (could be 15 based on coin flip with Colts)- Dalvin Cook, RB, FSU: I think the Eagles will be aggressive in free agency in finding a number 1 (possibly Ashlon Jeffrey) and quality depth (Robert Woods) at the wide receiver position. The Eagles offense gets
instantly more dynamic with a workhouse, 3 down running back in Cook, who combines a nice blend of power and speed to open up things for the wideouts and tight ends in Coach Doug Pederson’s offense. Bring in change of pace runner in Wendall Smallwood, and the Eagles could have a two back attack that rivals the Atlanta Falcons.
Round 2, Pick 43- Teez Tabor, CB, Florida: If the Birds could come out of the second round with one of the stud Gator defensive backs, this would be great value at pick 43. With the Eagles recently cutting Leodis McKelvin and the expectation that Nolan Carroll will depart in free agency, the Eagles will need to bolster the CB position in the draft and free agency.
Round 3, Pick 74- Dede Westbrook, WR, Oklahoma: The Eagles could go corner here as well with the level of depth at the position in this draft, but if Westbrook is on the board at this pick, he will be hard to pass up. He would bring back the top-end speed the Eagles have been lacking at this position since DeSean Jackson was let go. Combine with the threat at RB in Cook, and the Eagles will be a hard out in the NFC.
Round 4, Pick 108- Duane Smoot, DE, Illinois: Smoot would provide a nice burst of the edge within Jim Scwhartz’s attacking 4-3 scheme. With the possibility of Connor Barwin moving on through either a trade or cap casualty, Smoot provides quality depth within a rotation of Curry, Smoot and possibly Marcus Smith.
Round 5, Pick 128 (this could be a compensatory 4th round pick from the Browns)- Alvin Kamara, RB, Tennessee: More depth and great value at the running back position and could be a nice fallback in the event Birds go WR or CB in round 1.
Round 5, Pick 138- Kyle Fuller, OC, Baylor- Eagles need to continue to add to the offensive line depth and build around Wentz. Roseman and company did a decent job last year in adding Big V and Isaac Seumalo to provide depth at the tackle, guard and center positions. With an aging Jason Peters and the regression of Jason Kelce, Fuller would continue that upward momentum.
Round 6, Pick 168- Pharoah Brown, TE, Oregon
Round 7, Pick 201- Sean Harlow, OG, Oregon State