Philadelphia Eagles Draft Forecast

Story posted April 26, 2016 in

The Philadelphia Eagles are now the owners of the No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft after last week’s trade with the Browns. Once the Rams and Titans trade became official there was much speculation if the Browns would follow the same footsteps. The Eagles were the top team to be linked with Cleveland for the trade.

Howie Roseman constructed the deal that swapped the first rounders with Cleveland, in addition to giving up a third-rounder and fourth-rounder from this year, the first-round pick in next year’s draft and the Eagles second-round pick in 2018.

Roseman has made it official that the team is in the market for a quarterback after doing extensive research. So, Jared Goff or Carson Wentz can expect to be wearing midnight green next season.

It appears to be that Wentz is Philadelphia’s target as they aim to make him their next franchise quarterback. The last time the team was in this position in 1999 they took a chance on a quarterback who turned out to be the franchise’s most prolific signal-caller in Donovan McNabb.

It makes sense why Howie Roseman and Doug Pederson would want to make this move seeing as since McNabb was traded to Washington in 2010 there has not been a viable long-term option at quarterback. Kevin Kolb, Michael Vick and Nick Foles never panned out.

In the case of Sam Bradford, just when it looked like he was going to have a season to prove all the doubters wrong, he now has company who each plan to start Week One with Chase Daniel and whichever prospect the team takes.

But this kind of move has high risk high reward written all over it. Either Goff or Wentz will come in and turn things around when their chance comes or their potential lack of success will set the team back for a number of years.

Philadelphia will get the quarterback they want but that still doesn’t mean all their issues will be solved.

The team has a glaring hole in the running back position where there is no clear starter. Roseman put his name into the running for NFL executive of the year before the 2016 season has even kicked off, after pairing the Dolphins deal along with sending DeMarco Murray, the 2014 NFL rushing champ with the Cowboys at the time, to Tennessee.

By the time the team picks again Ezekiel Elliott the draft’s top tailback will be long gone. It will be hard to see Alabama’s Derrick Henry there at No. 77 another possibility could be Devontae Booker from Utah who has been increasing his stock.

All-Pro left tackle is coming off an injury plagued 2015 season. Philadelphia may look into drafting an offensive tackle to succeed Peters.

Good thing for the Eagles is that the 2016 has a good amount solid offensive tackles. Willie Beavers from Western Michigan or John Theus from Georgia could be possible replacements

Philadelphia bolstered the right side of their line this offseason by adding free agent guard Brandon Brooks to go along with tackle Johnson. This leaves their left side in question with no clear starter at guard and Peters in question to stay healthy for all 16 games.

The team has also shown interest in taking a wide receiver in the later rounds. Jordan Matthews seems to get better every season but is unproven as a starting outside receiver. While Nelson Agholor and Josh Huff had their share of struggles.

Cornerback and defensive line could also have additions come the end of the draft.

Philly will be one of the most intriguing teams to watch in next week’s draft after the major shakeup they made.

 

KJ Meade is a junior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email kym5330@psu.edu.