Philadelphia Eagles: Updated Draft Big Board After First Wave of Free Agency

After a busy opening week of free agency for the Philadelphia Eagles, it's full steam ahead toward a 2017 draft that has grown even more vital to the team's chances of contention next season.

The Eagles shored up a significant weakness early in free agency when they signed former Bears wideout Alshon Jeffery along with veteran Torrey Smith, replenishing their receiving corps for young quarterback Carson Wentz.

But the hole at wideout is just one of many that needs to be filled before the season, and severely limited cap space prevented Philly from doing much more in terms of major free-agency additions.

The need at cornerback has become even more apparent after the exodus of Leodis McKelvin and Nolan Carroll didn't follow with any signings to take their place, meaning it's likely the two cornerbacks who will start 2017 aren't even on the roster yet. The level of uncertainty outside will make corner the most critical position to address, but it's far from the only one.

After a woeful season from the pass rush, the Eagles haven't done much to address the edge in free agency. Ryan Mathews' future is uncertain, and Philadelphia will need an impact rusher in the draft if he goes.

Those are just a few of the other pressing needs, but they're not close to the total number of positions that the Eagles could—and should—look toward in the draft.

Let's take a close look at the top 100 players who should be on Philly's radar, highlighting a few names from each position.

Eagles' Top 100 Big Board

Gregory Payan/Associated Press

Behold your initial Philadelphia big board for the 2017 draft.

Since this article is Eagles-oriented, I focused on positions they could realistically draft in the opening three rounds. For this reason, not all players worthy of a top-100 draft selection are shown. 

1. Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M

2. Jonathan Allen, DT, Alabama

3. Soloman Thomas, DE, Stanford

4. Jamal Adams, S, LSU

5. Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State

6. Derek Barnett, DE, Tennessee

7. Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU

8. Jabrill Peppers, S, Michigan

9. Malik Hooker, S, Ohio State

10. Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State

11. Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan

12. Mike Williams, WR, Clemson

13. Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama

14. Reuben Foster, LB, Alabama

15. John Ross, WR, Washington

16. Haason Reddick, OLB, Temple

17. Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin

18. Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State

19. Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida

20. Garrett Bolles, OT, Utah

21. Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford

22. Forrest Lamp, G, Western Kentucky

23. Taco Charlton, DE, Michigan

24. Adoree' Jackson, CB, USC

25. Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama

26. Teez Tabor, CB, Florida

27. Jourdan Lewis, CB, Michigan

28. Charles Harris, DE, Missouri

29. Carl Lawson, DE, Auburn

30. Dion Dawkins, G, Temple

31. Takkarist McKinley, DE, UCLA

32. Chris Wormley, DT, Michigan

33. Tre'Davious White, CB, LSU

34. Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State

35. Budda Baker, S, Washington

36. Tim Williams, DE, Alabama

37. T.J. Watt, LB, Wisconsin

38. Cooper Kupp, WR, Eastern Washington

39. Montravius Adams, DT, Auburn

40. Alvin Kamara, RB, Tennessee

41. Obi Melifonwu, S, Connecticut

42. Demarcus Walker, DE, Florida State

43. Curtis Samuel, WR, Ohio State

44. Raekwon McMillan, LB, Ohio State

45. Zach Cunningham, LB, Vanderbilt

46. Zay Jones, WR, East Carolina

47. JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, USC

48. Davon Godchaux, DT, LSU

49. Chidobe Awuzie, CB, Colorado

50. Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida

51. Kevin King, CB, Washington

52. Dede Westbrook, WR, Oklahoma

53. Ethan Pocic, C, LSU

54. Dan Feeney, G, Indiana

55. Taylor Moton, OT, Western Michigan

56. Caleb Brantley, DT, Florida

57. Dalvin Tomlinson, DT, Alabama

58. Elijah Qualls, DT, Washington

59. Jordan Willis, DE, Kansas State

60. Marcus Williams, S, Utah

61. Desmond King, S, Iowa

62. Carlos Watkins, DT, Clemson

63. Pat Elflein, C, Ohio State

64. Roderick Johnson, OT, Florida State

65. Tyus Bowser, LB, Houston

66. Chris Godwin, WR, Penn State

67. Cameron Sutton, CB, Tennessee

68. Marcus Maye, S, Florida

69. Tarrell Basham, DE, Ohio

70. Dorian Johnson, G, Pittsburgh

71. Joe Mixon, RB, Oklahoma

72. Rasul Douglas, CB, West Virginia

73. Amara Darboh, WR, Michigan

74. Ryan Anderson, DE, Alabama

75. Tanoh Kpassagnon, DE, Villanova

76. Adam Bisnowaty, OT, Pittsburgh

77. Antonio Garcia, OT, Troy

78. Malachi Dupre, WR, LSU

79. Larry Ogunjobi, DT, Charlotte

80. Alex Anzalone, LB, Florida

81. Devonte Fields, DE, Louisville

82. Fabian Moreau, S, UCLA

83. Will Holden, OT, Vanderbilt

84. Damontae Kazee, CB, San Diego State

85. Danny Isidora, G, Miami

86. J.J. Dielman, C, Utah

87. Samaje Perine, RB, Oklahoma

88. Duke Riley, LB, LSU

89. Travis Rudolph, WR, Florida State

90. ArDarius Stewart, WR, Alabama

91. Shaquill Griffin, CB, Central Florida

92. Taywan Taylor, WR, Western Kentucky

93. Jaleel Johnson, DT, Iowa

94. Wayne Gallman, RB, Clemson

95. Isaiah Ford, WR, Virginia Tech

96. Sidney Jones, CB, Washington

97. Cordrea Tankersley, CB, Clemson

98. Nico Siragusa, G, San Diego State

99. Elijah Lee, LB, Kansas State

100. Aviante Collins, G, TCU

Running Back

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The Eagles were decent at the running back position last season, but they proved way too reliant on Ryan Mathews. When he went down with injury, Philly struggled mightily to fill his place and a large cap number in 2017 could have the Eagles parting ways with the veteran.

There are a few top-tier running backs who would fit the Eagles' system nicely, and we'll also look at some players beneath the first round in case Philadelphia looks for value.

Dalvin Cook, Florida State

This draft looked to be Leonard Fournette's at the running back position until Dalvin Cook put together a marvelous 2017 season with the Seminoles. His unique combination of breakaway speed, size and vision make him an ideal fit for the young, do-it-all backs who excel in the NFL. 

Cook brings good size to the table at 5'10" and 195 pounds, but he also brings serious speed as he ran a 4.49 40-yard dash at the combine. When he gets into open space, he is gone almost every time and after torching some of the nation's best defenses in college, he should continue that at the NFL level to make him a high first-round pick.

Leonard Fournette, LSU

For all the hype Cook seemingly stole from Fournette throughout the 2017 college season and beyond, the latter took a lot of it right back at the combine when he ran his 40 at 4.51 seconds. His 6'0" and 240-pound size would normally put teams off, but not with that speed on the clock.

The combine validated what we should have known all along—the fact that Fournette is a big bruiser who's capable of sprinting either through or away from contact. He failed to live up to expectations in his final season at LSU, but he more than showed what he can do in the prior season and was wise to save some blows on his body for the NFL.

Christian McCaffrey, Stanford

Cook and Fournette are undoubtedly the marquee backs, but a guy like Christian McCaffrey just might suit the Eagles' offense better. The former Stanford standout doesn't lack much as a traditional back, but he is more capable of affecting the game as a receiver or a return man.

There isn't a smoother runner in the class than McCaffrey, and it's scary to think not only what his versatility could bring to the Eagles' offense, but what an impact he could have as a three-down back. It's not likely that Philly will go with a Round 1 back, but if they do, McCaffrey is the best fit.

Samaje Perine, Oklahoma

He's likely not even the best running back prospect from Oklahoma this spring, but Samaje Perine got the brunt of the workload with the Sooners and would come into the league with a defined skill set that his future team will need to covet.

Perine isn't going to win any foot races, but he'll lay down his shoulder and run you over. He uses every bit of his 5'11", 233-pound frame to win at the point of contact, and his 4.65 40-yard dash isn't anything to scoff at considering his size and running style.

As a bruiser to plug alongside Wendell Smallwood, the Eagles could benefit from making Perine a mid-round pick.

Wide Receiver

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Think the Eagles are all set for the future at receiver after their big free-agent signings of Jeffery and Smith? Think again. 

Philly could realistically be without both Jeffery and Smith next offseason unless they negotiate an extension and pick up a team option in their separate situations.

The Eagles are probably hoping for some development from their young core to play beneath the new Eagles, and they could add another to the mix in the draft.

Corey Davis, Western Michigan

Corey Davis exploded on to draft boards throughout the 2016 season as he helped lead Western Michigan to an unbeaten record in the regular season. The long, quick receiver has a complete skill set that many Eagles fans saw as a perfect fit to become the No. 1 receiver for Wentz in the future before the Jeffery signing.

Davis has reliable hands, can achieve separation with his speed and has proved capable of being the guy in a prolific offense. Not participating in the combine shouldn't do anything to hurt Davis' draft stock as an early-to-mid first-rounder.

Mike Williams, Clemson

While it makes much less sense to go after a Round 1 receiver after the way free agency is panning out, it's easy to see how the addition of Mike Williams would catapult the Eagles' passing offense. 

Williams doesn't quite have the separation advantage that Davis does, but he has him beat significantly in the jump-ball department, where Williams made his name in college and helped Clemson win a national championship. He should come into the NFL from day one and be able to outjump the league's best defensive backs.

Travis Rudolph, Florida State

The Eagles would more realistically look for a receiver in the middle rounds, and that's where they could get fantastic value on a proven wideout with skills to nourish.

Travis Rudolph fits the bill in every category. The former Florida State receiver became an effective No. 1 target in the 'Noles offense last season, and he showcases polished route-running skills to be able to earn backup snaps in his future offense and start making catches as a rookie.

It's obvious the Eagles want to put pressure on young wideouts Nelson Agholor and Dorial Green-Beckham, and bringing Rudolph in would do just that.

ArDarius Stewart, WR, Alabama

ArDarius Stewart isn't going to be the next Julio Jones or Amari Cooper, but you wouldn't get a player of that caliber in the middle rounds, anyway. What he will provide, however, is the ability to make an offense more explosive right off the bat.

Stewart ran a blistering 4.49-second 40 at the combine and has a good body type (5'11", 204 pounds) to become an effective slot receiver.

The Eagles already have an answer there with Jordan Matthews, but Stewart has more of a big-play ability that could be utilized quite well with the weapons Philly has now.

Offensive Line

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The Eagles have a lot of money invested in their offensive line, but it's hard to see what lies ahead in the future.

Long-time left tackle Jason Peters is aging at 35, and there's some reshuffling needed in the interior after the opening of free agency saw the signing of Chance Warmack and re-signing of Stefen Wisniewski.

Nevertheless, an infusion of young talent would be welcomed up front to devleop for the uncertain future.

Cam Robinson, Alabama

Alabama's Cam Robinson entered the 2016 season as a potential No. 1 overall pick before a stretch of rough play and what's been an underwhelming pre-draft process so far knocked him down draft boards. But it's not hard to see how much potential there is with him.

At 6'6" and 320 pounds, Robinson has the look of an anchor on the edge of whatever offensive line he joins in April. He's more than athletic enough to deal with the quick edge-rushers in today's league but strong enough to avoid being bull-rushed.

If Robinson happens to fall into the second round, the Eagles could get a long-term answer up front by nabbing him.

Taylor Moton, Western Kentucky

Above all else, the Eagles need to target versatility in lineman for this draft considering the uncertainty ahead. Taylor Moton would be a solid choice to bring in and figure out where he's best suited.

Moton excelled as a tackle at Western Kentucky as a four-year starter, playing a big role in the program's ascension. He needs to work on his feet but has the combination of strength and athleticism to become a tackle, and he would be an effective starting guard in the future if he can't shore up his foot work.

Dion Dawkins, Temple

The Eagles could look local to solidify their offensive-line depth if they went with Dion Dawkins. The Temple tackle is well-built for the NFL at 6'4" and 314 pounds, using serious strength to thwart edge-rushers and good balance to keep the pocket intact.

Just like Moton, Dawkins is more than capable of being groomed as either a tackle or a guard and that's what the Eagles need right now. He shows the potential to be developed into half of Lane Johnson's future tackle pairing, but he would be a good, starting guard early on if not.

Defensive Tackle

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The biggest strength of the Eagles got considerably weaker in free agency when Bennie Logan left for Kansas City, but any unit built around Fletcher Cox is still one that can vie to be the NFL's best.

Logan's departure should allow more opportunity for Beau Allen, but it still hits the position's depth.

Jonathan Allen, Alabama

Jonathan Allen is the type of blue-chip defensive line prospect who doesn't come around often. He's an alpha-male leader who puts pressure on the pocket with practically every snap, while plugging up the interior to thwart run games and assuming double-teams constantly to free up fellow rushers.

NFL.com's comparison in the NFL for Allen is Fletcher Cox, which says everything you need to know about how much he impacts the game.

As a top-tier prospect in the entire class, the Eagles would have to pull some highway robbery to get the chance to get their hands on Allen.

Chris Wormley, Michigan

For a strong prospect who wouldn't break the bank to obtain, Michigan's Chris Wormley could be an option for Philadelphia executive vice president of football operations Howie Roseman and crew.

The supremely athletic interior lineman can take over games with a single play, but he simply hasn't showcased great consistency or he would otherwise be a high first-round pick.

With such a unique blend of size and athleticism for the position, Wormley is sure to make an early impact for his future team even though he's a little raw. The Eagles could give him early playing time along with the chance to develop under Cox.

Carlos Watkins, Clemson

Clemson's Carlos Watkins doesn't bring nearly the same level of athleticism to the table as Allen and Wormley, but he brings a big body and the brute force needed to plug up the interior. 

Watkins doesn't have a strong motor, but a lot of that is due to the size that makes him a great prospect. At 6'3" and over 300 pounds, he is an immovable force in the interior and that would free things up for a struggling edge rush.

Defensive End

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The only position outside of cornerback that would appear to make sense with a Round 1 selection is at defensive end, where the Eagles struggled in 2016. Now that they have released Connor Barwin, the need for effective rushers alongside Brandon Graham is even larger.

Let's go ahead and skip Myles Garrett, a potential No. 1 overall draft pick, due to how impossible it is for the Eagles to get him and move forward to some more intriguing prospects.

Derek Barnett, Tennessee

Tennessee's expert pass-rusher Derek Barnett compares favorably to Garrett in many respects, including an identical Pro Football Focus ranking in 2016. It's not hard to see why.

Whether it's bull-rushing or utilizing one of his saucy finesse moves, Barnett gets to the quarterback with regularity and is a matchup nightmare for most offensive tackles.

Barnett spent his college career embarrassing NFL-prospect tackles in the SEC and terrorizing quarterbacks. His measurables are the only thing that put Garrett ahead of him, when he's otherwise just as much of a menace (if not more) on the field.

Eagles fans will rightfully clamor for a cornerback in Round 1, but they should be ecstatic if Barnett falls in their lap at No. 14 overall.

Carl Lawson, Auburn

Auburn pass-rusher Carl Lawson struggled down the stretch of his Auburn career, but came out of high school as a blue-chip prospect and the athleticism he showed at the combine shows why. Lawson's 35 bench reps and a 4.19-second 20-yard shuttle ranked atop his position in Indianapolis.

With some serious edge-rushing prospects in this class, Lawson could slip down the draft board to a spot where it makes sense for the Eagles to draft him. They could use more of an immediate impact, but it's also scary to think of what he could do if he's given the time to develop in Philly.

Jordan Willis, Kansas State

Previously somewhat of an afterthought in the draft, Jordan Willis put his name on the map with a dominating season for Kansas State and will continue to fly up draft boards after an impressive showing at the combine.

Willis ran a 4.53-second 40, jumped 39" for his vertical and ran a 6.85-second three-cone drill, all of which ranked better than every defensive end at the combine. He has the type of quickness that would suit defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz's defense really well as he looks for a counterpart to Graham on the other side.

Cornerback

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Now, for the moment Eagles fans have all been waiting for. Philadelphia has no starting cornerbacks on the roster for 2017 as of the second week of free agency, and second-year corner Jalen Mills is the only possible candidate who's currently signed.

The Eagles' need for dependable corners can't really be overstated. Philly's cornerback situation, as it stands, may be the weakest single position on any team's roster and that's saying something if you look at the New York Jets' quarterback room.

Marlon Humphrey, Alabama

Fortunately for the Eagles, this draft class is loaded at cornerback and that will leave a guy or two who would otherwise be a top-five pick available to the Eagles at No. 14. It's very possible Marlon Humphrey could be one of them.

Alabama's cornerback has everything teams are looking for in a rookie Day 1 starter. He brings prototypical size to the table at 6'0" and 197 pounds, but he does not lack at all for speed, running a blistering 4.41-second 40 in Indianapolis and showing the ability to stick with top-end receivers throughout long routes.

The Eagles need a Day 1 starter who can match up physically with the big, athletic receivers in the NFC East and Humphrey fits the bill.

Marshon Lattimore, Ohio State

Ohio State's Marshon Lattimore isn't quite as likely to be available for the Eagles at No. 14, but he'd be even more of a home run pick if Philly got its hands on him. Lattimore has nearly identical size to Humphrey, but is even faster with a 4.36-second 40.

It takes a lot for receivers to shake Lattimore, who sticks to his assignment like glue and can take the other team's best receiver out of the game entirely. The only thing he lacks is experience with 2016 being his only season as a starter, but he did incredibly well with the opportunities given on a championship-contending Buckeyes team.

Adoree' Jackson, USC

A combination of a loaded cornerback class and some raw spots in his game may have Adoree' Jackson slipping into Day 2, but he's a first-round cornerback in virtually any other class.

He's a bit undersized at 5'10" and 186 pounds, but he has supreme athleticism to be a ball-hawker and get up to contest passes despite being somewhat short. His skill set may limit him from being an outside corner for the opening weekend, but he can win a game with one touch on a return and makes game-changing plays at cornerback.

Shaquill Griffin, UCF

It's amazing what a breakout performance at the combine can do for a prospect struggling to move the needle, and Shaquill Griffin is experiencing that after his time in Indy.

Griffin didn't get much attention in this stacked cornerback class until he ran his 40-yard dash at the combine, which clocked him at 4.38 seconds. Put that along with a 6'0", 194-pound frame, and NFL scouts have themselves a prototypical cornerback prospect.

Griffin had some moments in college where he overanticipated and got burned, but his combine performance will force more teams to look at his tape and the Eagles could benefit by landing him in the middle rounds.