The Complete Philadelphia Eagles Draft Primer
Finally, the NFL draft is upon us, and Chip Kelly and the Philadelphia Eagles can put all the speculation to rest. Will the Birds stand pat with the 20th overall selection and simply take the best player available, or will the head coach “mortgage the future” and trade into the top of draft to select Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Marcus Mariota?
That’s what Philly’s draft boils down to in a lot of eyes, sadly and mistakenly. However, there’s much more to it than an Oregon reunion or bust. Assuming the signal-caller goes within the top two picks to another franchise, as expected, the Eagles still have a whole world of opportunities ahead of them.
So while this draft primer will try to accommodate the Mariota conspirators who are sure Kelly will do whatever it takes to get “his” quarterback, we’ll also focus on the other possibilities facing the Eagles this weekend. Believe it or not, the organization has plenty of other needs and has been doing its homework as if it intends to go about filling those holes in the draft. See for yourself.
Picks Owned
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The Eagles enter the draft holding eight picks. Six are their original selections, and two are through trades. Philadelphia was not awarded any compensatory picks in 2015.
For what it’s worth, Eagles general manager Ed Marynowitz told reporters the organization intends to use their picks, not package them in a trade up the draft board. Per Paul Domowitch of the Philadelphia Daily News, the GM said, “We have eight picks, and we'd like to pick eight players or more, not less.”
Round 1, Pick No. 20
Round 2, Pick No. 52
Round 3, Pick No. 84
Round 4, Pick No. 113 (from San Francisco via Buffalo)
The 49ers traded No. 113 to the Bills in exchange for WR Stevie Johnson in 2014. The Bills then flipped it to Philadelphia for RB Bryce Brown, also in ‘14.
Round 5, Pick No. 145 (from St. Louis)
The Eagles swapped No. 119 for No. 145 as part of the Nick Foles trade.
Round 5, Pick No. 156
Round 6, Pick No. 196
Round 7, Pick No. 237
Primary Needs
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The Eagles may have won 10 games last season, narrowly missing the playoffs, but it’s been an offseason of tremendous change in Philadelphia, and the roster still has its share of holes. There are immediate needs at no fewer than five positions—six if you include quarterback.
Safety
As of now, Earl Wolff and Jaylen Watkins are set to battle it out for a starting safety job in 2015. Wolff started six games as a rookie in 2013 and looked competent, but he was a non-factor last season due to a knee injury that eventually required surgery.
Watkins lined up at cornerback for the Eagles in Week 17, his only action thus far, but the second-year defensive back tells Tim McManus of Philadelphia Magazine that he added weight and muscle to compete for the opening at safety.
Cornerback
The Eagles solved one-half of their problems at cornerback by signing Byron Maxwell to an expensive free-agent contract, but a void remains on the opposite side. Walter Thurmond is unreliable, while he, Brandon Boykin and Nolan Carroll can all become free agents in 2016. Not only could Philadelphia use somebody who can compete for playing time right away, but it needs bodies to restock the secondary.
Offensive Line
Future Hall of Fame left tackle Jason Peters is 33. All-pro left guard Evan Mathis is on the trade block, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Right guard Todd Herremans was released during the offseason. Philadelphia’s offensive line has been challenged by injuries in two of the last three seasons, and the opportunities did not shed light on any future stars who are waiting in the wings. At the very least, the Eagles must locate some additional help along the interior.
Wide Receiver
Philadelphia used second- and third-round picks on Jordan Matthews and Josh Huff during last year’s draft, so the club wasn’t completely caught off guard by Jeremy Maclin’s departure. That being said, Matthews is unproven as a feature receiver, and Huff didn’t make much of a contribution as a rookie.
Riley Cooper and Miles Austin aren’t the answer, and only one other wideout on the roster has so much as a reception in the NFL. The rebuild continues.
Outside Linebacker
Connor Barwin and Brandon Graham may have starting jobs cemented for at least the next couple of seasons, but there is no established depth behind them. 2014 first-round selection Marcus Smith couldn’t even get on the field as a rookie. Bryan Braman is purely a special teams contributor, and Travis Long has yet to play a down in the NFL. The Eagles desperately to need some competition for this rotation, since Barwin and Graham cannot play every snap.
Quarterback
Sam Bradford could well pan out, but as of now, the Eagles are in a precarious situation. He is entering the final year of his contract, so unless he proves worthy of an extension this season, it could be one-and-done in Philly. The Birds should consider adding a developmental quarterback at some point during the draft—that is, of course, assuming they don’t pull off a blockbuster trade for Mariota.
Top Targets
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We’ll take a look at the Eagles’ top targets at each of the club’s position of needs. Most of the players listed are projected as either first- or second-round picks, with few notable suggestions, and the knowledge that these prospects are being targeted is based on reported interest, generally through private workouts or official visits.
Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
Allow me to preface this with the admission I don’t believe the Eagles can get Mariota. That being said, I understand much of the clamoring for him. This is literally the perfect quarterback for Kelly’s offense, a signal-caller the head coach himself has compared to Peyton Manning.
Such praise is going way overboard in the opinions of scouts, based on the fact that Mariota is not a sure thing to go first overall. The point is Kelly believes Mariota is a franchise quarterback who could lead Philadelphia to multiple Super Bowls. Right or wrong, it’s probably not going to happen, as he should be off the board well before the Birds choose at No. 20.
Other Quarterback Prospects: Brett Hundley, UCLA; Bryce Petty, Baylor
Byron Jones, CB, Connecticut
If it’s a pro-ready defensive back your team needs, few can match Jones, at least from a physical standpoint. The Connecticut product is 6’1”, 199 pounds and finished among the top cornerbacks in most drills at the scouting combine. Jones also has experience playing safety, so if for some reason he’s not ready to match up against NFL receivers from Day 1, he could still play a role in Philadelphia’s secondary right away.
Other Cornerback Prospects: Kevin Johnson, Wake Forest; Jalen Collins, LSU
Breshad Perriman, WR, UCF
With this being such a deep wide receiver class, Philadelphia doesn’t necessarily need to go that route in the first round. Then again, if Perriman falls to the Eagles at No. 20, he’ll be difficult to pass up. It’s not often you come across a pass-catcher who measures 6’2”, 212 pounds and clocks a sub-4.3-second 40-yard dash. Perriman averaged more than 20 yards per reception the final two seasons at Central Florida, which despite some questionable hands, makes him an elite athletic prospect at this stage of the draft.
Other Wide Receiver Prospects: Nelson Agholor, USC; Phillip Dorsett, Miami
La’el Collins, OG/OT, LSU
If signing both DeMarco Murray and Ryan Mathews proved one thing, it’s Kelly is committed to running the football. In that case, a mauler like Collins makes sense not merely because the offensive line is aging, but because he could help improve production on the ground. Collins could start on the interior from the day he is drafted and potentially move outside to tackle later. Recent legal issues have put his status in doubt, but Collins does not appear to be implicated in any criminal activities.
Other Offensive Line Prospects: Jake Fisher, Oregon; Donovan Smith, Penn State
Alvin Dupree, OLB, Kentucky
While it might seem strange to go outside linebacker in Round 1 of two consecutive drafts, the lack of established depth behind Barwin and Graham makes it a distinct possibility—but only if the right talent is there. Dupree’s stock has been rising, not surprisingly for an edge defender who stands 6’4”, 269 pounds and clocks a sub-4.6 in the 40-yard dash. If by some miracle Dupree lasts to No. 20, it would be understandable if the Eagles couldn’t contain themselves.
Other Outside Linebacker Prospects: Shane Ray, Missouri; Owamagbe Odighizuwa, UCLA
Adrian Amos, S, Penn State
Amos is far from the top safety in the draft—let’s be honest, he’s a mid-round prospect on most draft rankings. That being said, it’s a weak safety class, and Amos does a lot of things the Eagles like in a safety, particularly in coverage. And if playing safety doesn’t work out for Amos, perhaps he could become a nickel cornerback, which is the kind of versatility Kelly loves. He may not be the best safety in the draft, but don’t be surprised if he’s the guy Philly lands on.
Other Safety Prospects: Damarious Randall, Arizona State; Eric Rowe, Utah
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Tradeable Assets
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While trades are somewhat rare in the NFL, the likelihood increases around the draft. Plus, the Eagles managed to pull off two unconventional player-for-player deals this offseason alone, and there’s a sense they may not be done. Any of the following veterans could be shipped out before the conclusion of the draft, if the price is right.
Evan Mathis
As was already mentioned, Mathis is reportedly on the block. According to Spotrac, Philadelphia can save $11.5 million over the next two seasons with Mathis off the books, and seeing as he turns 34 this year, the team might as well get something for an All-Pro lineman while it can. Of course, this is the second offseason in a row Mathis has been dangled, and still no takers, so he can’t be worth too much.
Mychal Kendricks
It’s long been speculated Kendricks is on the block as well. The Eagles traded for Kiko Alonso and then re-signed DeMeco Ryans, all while neglecting to offer Kendricks a contract extension as he heads into the final year of his deal.
The team also signed Brad Jones as depth, returns Najee Goode from injured reserve and has been scouting interior linebacker prospects in the draft for good measure. Kendricks—one of three NFL linebackers with 8.0 sacks, three interceptions and five forced fumbles over the past two seasons—voiced his displeasure by skipping voluntary workouts, per Geoff Mosher for CSNPhilly.com.
Brandon Boykin
Boykin was tied for second in the NFL in 2013 with six interceptions while playing limited snaps in the slot. Yet when the Eagles starting cornerbacks struggled in ’14, Boykin did not get so much as a look in a full-time role. He’s a free agent next offseason and is unlikely to re-sign in Philly with no opportunity to move up, so it might be wise to get something out of his impending departure.
Vinny Curry
He's yet another player who is entering the final year of his contract and has outperformed his role. In defense of the Eagles, Curry probably isn’t big enough (6'3", 279 lbs) to withstand the punishment of an every-down defensive end in a 3-4. Then again, tallying nine sacks while playing one-third of the snaps, per Football Outsiders, is absolutely insane production. Someone will pay through the nose to sign Curry in 2016, but it won’t be Philly.
Matt Barkley
ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported Barkley could be on the block, although to be honest, the 2013 fourth-round pick probably doesn’t have much, if any, trade value at all.
Sam Bradford
Bradford seems to be one of the keys to any trade rumor that involves Philadelphia landing Mariota. Either the Eagles pawn off Bradford to the Cleveland Browns for one of their two first-round picks—ammunition to move up even higher—or they package him in a straight-up deal with the Tennessee Titans for the second overall draft pick. For what it’s worth, Kelly denied Bradford is a trade chip back in March, via Geoff Mosher for CSNPhilly.com.
Fletcher Cox
No way should the Eagles move Cox in any trade other than for Mariota—and even then, you could argue against it—but the defensive lineman is certainly the Birds’ most valuable commodity besides draft picks. You could actually make the case that trading first-round selections is actually better, as they aren’t guaranteed to turn into a dominant, 24-year-old defensive lineman such as Cox. Ultimately, I doubt Philly will move him.
Mock Draft
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Just for fun, let's take a crack at what an Eagles' draft might look like. While trades will undoubtedly change the landscape of the draft, including when and where Philadelphia will choose, treat this as a rough outline as to what the Birds might be looking to do with their eight picks this weekend.
Round 1, Pick No. 20: Byron Jones, CB, Connecticut
From an athletic standpoint, Jones is ready to step in and contribute in a weak Philly secondary from Day 1, something the Eagles could desperately use.
Round 2, Pick No. 52: Phillip Dorsett, WR, Miami
Dorsett may or may not last this long, as his 4.3 speed will surely be coveted by numerous teams. Expect the Birds to get good value on a wide receiver in the second round, regardless of the specific name called.
Round 3, Pick No. 84: Donovan Smith, OG, Penn State
If the Eagles don't address the offensive line by the end of Day 2, there will be a lot more questions about the club's future moving forward. Smith is a small step in the right direction to replenishing the lifeblood of the offense.
Round 4, Pick No. 113: Adrian Amos, S, Penn State
Amos is an absolute steal for Philadelphia. He isn't a great prospect, but he fits the Eagles defense perfectly, either as a safety or nickel cornerback.
Round 5, Pick No. 145: Chris Conley, WR, Georgia
Had he been more productive at Georgia, Conley would go much earlier than this. As it stands, the Eagles land a 6'2" receiver with sub-4.4 speed on Day 3 of the draft.
Round 5, Pick No. 156: Darryl Roberts, CB, Marshall
Roberts is a tad smaller than the Eagles prefer at 5'11", but a sub-4.4 at his pro day, per NFL.com, puts him on the radar. He's a possible replacement for Boykin in the slot.
Round 6, Pick No. 196: Obum Gwacham, OLB, Oregon State
This pick has Kelly's name written all over it. A converted wide receiver, Gwacham recorded nearly three times as many catches (11) as he did sacks (4.0) at Oregon State, yet a 6'5", 246-pound versatile linebacker will really entice this late in the draft.
Round 7, Pick No. 237: Cody Fajardo, QB, Nevada
The Eagles won't let Barkley go unchallenged for the third-string quarterback spot, and no, Tim Tebow is not enough to push. Fajardo has accuracy issues but otherwise possesses mobility that makes him ideal for Kelly's offense.
All combine results courtesy NFL.com.
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