5 2015 NFL Draft Picks Who Could Be Opening Day Starters for Philadelphia Eagles

The NFL draft is all about the future, but that doesn’t mean the Philadelphia Eagles couldn’t use a little help right away. In fact, there are quite a few areas where a rookie might earn the chance to start for the Birds on opening day.

Yet while the Eagles happen to have several immediate needs to fill, not just any prospect will necessarily crack the lineup. Only the most developed talents and correct scheme fits will potentially be ready to step into such important roles from the very beginning of their pro careers.

Safety, cornerback, wide receiver and offensive line are among the areas where a first-year player is most likely to make a huge impact.

Up ahead, we'll identify some new arrivals who could walk through the door and seize one of these opportunities.

Damarious Randall, S, Arizona State

Matt York/Associated Press

If the regular season began today, Earl Wolff would be the likely starter at safety for Philadelphia. Nothing against Wolff, who may very well be an adequate solution or more, but there simply isn’t much evidence to support the idea he’s the answer back there.

No doubt, the Eagles will take a safety at some point during the first two-to-three rounds of the draft, and whoever they pick will compete for a job. While a tad undersized, Damarious Randall seems like a perfect fit for Philly’s scheme and could perhaps overtake Wolff during training camp.

Randall is only 5’11" and 196 pounds, but everything else checks out. He’s a tremendous athlete, finishing among the top safeties in his class in the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, three-cone drill and 20-yard shuttle at the combine. A converted cornerback, Randall is also strong in coverage, which is how Eagles safeties are typically utilized.

In two seasons at Arizona State, Randall racked up six interceptions—two returned for touchdowns—12 pass breakups and four forced fumbles. The kid is a playmaker.

Safety is arguably one of the toughest places for a rookie to start from day one, as a lot of pressure comes with being the last line of defense. Randall may just have the chops for it.

Plus, let’s be honest: He doesn’t exactly have to beat out Brian Dawkins, either.

Byron Jones, CB, Connecticut

Jessica Hill/Associated Press

Philadelphia’s cornerback isn’t exactly fixed, per se. Blockbuster free-agent addition Byron Maxwell will patrol one side of the field, but the Eagles can’t exactly count on fellow newcomer Walter Thurmond III, who has missed more games than not during his five-year NFL career.

The second cornerback job will be up for grabs this summer at camp, and the right rookie could definitely swoop in there, especially once Thurmond inevitably goes out.

One prospect I could see making an immediate impact on the outside is Byron Jones.

Jones really burst onto the scene with his amazing combine performance, where he finished among the top corners in the vertical jump, three-cone drill and 20-yard shuttle—and possibly set a world record in the broad jump. At 6’1” and 199 pounds, Jones is clearly ready to play professional football right now, from a physical standpoint.

A converted safety, Jones recorded five interceptions and 12 pass breakups in 19 games over his last two seasons at Connecticut. It’s not unreasonable to believe he could step onto an NFL field and compete as a rookie, especially given the Birds’ situation at cornerback.

Eric Rowe, CB/S, Utah

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

Is he a cornerback? Is he a safety? When it comes to Eric Rowe, what position he plays at the next level may be in the eyes of the beholder.

The fact that he could fill either of two of Philadelphia’s biggest holes simply increases the odds Rowe could be in the starting lineup on opening day.

Rowe played three seasons at safety for Utah, racking up two interceptions and 23 pass breakups between 2011-13. Last season he moved to corner, where he posted one pick—returned for a touchdown—and 13 breakups.

Rowe tested as a safety at the combine, where he finished among the top performers in literally every drill. At 6’1” and 205 pounds, he has ideal size to play anywhere in Philly’s scheme.

The Eagles love versatility and have expressed plenty of interest in Rowe. Draft insider Tony Pauline reported the four-year starter was brought in for an official visit and previously noted a private workout with the club at Utah’s pro day.

If Rowe winds up in midnight green, don’t be surprised to see him on the field in Week 1. My guess is he could be the starter at safety but possibly shift to cornerback in the Eagles’ dime package.

Breshad Perriman, WR, UCF

John Raoux/Associated Press

The Eagles aren’t as bereft of talent at wide receiver as some are making them out to be.

Jordan Matthews lined up almost exclusively in the slot his rookie season but has the build and athleticism to play outside. Josh Huff only caught eight passes, but the team expects more opportunities for him in Year 2. Even Miles Austin provides the offense with an experienced No. 1 receiver if the young players don’t step up.

That being said, the right prospect could easily crack the starting lineup. We’re talking about a player with special ability, like a Breshad Perriman.

Perriman’s stock has been on a meteoric rise ever since his pro day, where he clocked in under 4.3 seconds in the 40-yard dash, per his NFL.com scouting report. You take that speed and overall athleticism and put it in a 6’2”, 212-pound frame, and you have a receiver with scary potential.

Perriman may be a little raw, which is the only reason he might be available for the Eagles with the 20th overall selection. Over his sophomore and junior seasons at Central Florida, Perriman averaged over 20 yards per reception while hauling in 89 passes for 1,855 yards and 13 touchdowns.

I truly believe if put in the right situation, Perriman could be an immediate force in the NFL. Based on what Philadelphia’s offense has done for receivers over the past few years, Perriman might even have a shot to make the Pro Bowl as a rookie for the Eagles.

La’el Collins, OG, LSU

David Quinn/Associated Press

Journeyman Allen Barbre should replace Todd Herremans at right guard. Meanwhile, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports that the Eagles are still trying to trade All-Pro left guard Evan Mathis. There is an opportunity for a rookie offensive lineman to win a starting job, especially if Mathis is dealt.

If the first round breaks right, Philadelphia may just have a shot at La’el Collins at No. 20.

Some teams may view Collins as a tackle, and with the great Jason Peters getting up there in age, he could eventually line up outside for the Birds as well. However, right now the offense needs help along the interior, and Collins also has experience there from his time at LSU.

Truth be told, guard might be Collins’ most natural position at the next level, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. At 6’4” and 305 pounds, he has the potential to become a devastating run-blocker on the inside.

Offensive guard is seldom the most exciting choice in the first round, but if you want a guy who can step in and play right away, there might not be a better option. Collins is going to be in somebody’s starting lineup at guard in 2015.

All combine results via NFL.com.