The NFL Draft - On The Clock, Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia Eagles

Pick: #13

Top Needs:  OT, OG, SS, WR  

Top Targets:  Jack Conklin, Cody Whitehair, Laquon Treadwell

Off The Board:  

PickTeamPlayer, POSSchoolComments1Tennessee TitansLaremy Tunsil,   OTOle MissA shut down corner to protect franchise QB Marcus Mariota. 2Cleveland BrownsJared Goff, QBCaliforniaThe Browns finally find an answer to stop the QB merry go-round of the last 20 years.3San Diego ChargersJalen Ramsey, DBFlorida StateWhether he plays cornerback or safety, the Chargers get one of the best players in the draft.4Dallas CowboysJoey Bosa, DL Ohio StateThe Cowboys shore up their defensive line, and find QB, LB and DB help later in the draft. 5Jacksonville Jaguars Vernon Hargreaves, CBFloridaThe Jaguars get a shutdown corner in the first round, find solutions in the front seven in free agency and the rest of the draft.6Baltimore RavensMyles Jack, SS/LBUCLAThe Ravens leap to draft an elite defensive talent, and possibly draft a future star.7San Francisco 49ersCarson Wentz, QBNorth Dakota StateKap forces the teams hand and they take a potential future starting QB to truly start a new era.8Miami DolphinsMackensie Alexander, CB ClemsonMiami plugs its biggest hole,  but with a player who does have some questions.9Tampa Bay BuccaneersDeForest Buckner, DLOregonBuckner could easily go earlier, but he's too talented to fall any farther than this.10New York GiantsEzekiel Elliott,   RBOhio StateNew York gets an immediate boost with Zeke Elliott, getting new HC Ben McAdoo a huge weapon.11Chicago BearsRonnie Stanley, OTNotre DameChicago still needs help on defense but gets a plug-and-play starter at tackle to help stabilize the offense.12New Orleans SaintsA'Shawn Robinson, DTAlabamaNew Orleans shores up the defense by plugging up the middle and getting tougher and more physical in the process.13Philadelphia Eagles???

Why are the Eagles constantly being projected to take a WR? Two years ago, they took Jordan Mathews in the second round, and last year they took Nelson Agholor in the first. They also have Josh Huff - look, I'm not saying these guys are all world beaters (Agholor in particular did very little as a rookie) but ... is that really their biggest need? I say NO.

Receiver was once a strength with Jeremy Maclin and Desean Jackson, and certainly it's not a strength anymore. The same could be said for the offensive line, which was probably second only to the Cowboys recently ... but has started to get leaky. Last year they shed Evan Mathis at Guard, and at tackle, Jason Peters is 34 and unlikely to play much longer. The team could really draft anyone on the OL and it would really help. Is that the best choice?

How about the other side of the ball - what's their need on defense?

Every team can always improve but honestly, I don't see a MASSIVE problem on defense. Even their woeful free agency signing, Byron Maxwell at CB has a logical backup in Eric Rowe who they drafted last year. Taking a strong safety and another cornerback makes sense, but there's no one obviously worth this pick here. (Note: As I'm writing this, the Eagles are talking about trading away Maxwell to the Dolphins which doesn't change the Eagles needs but might impact my earlier pick of the Dolphins. It's worth re-noting that all of these picks are being done, largely, in pre free-agency, and that I'll "re-do" it closer to the NFL Draft to see how or if teams needs have changed.)

So, I think it DOES make sense to re-focus back on the offense. I would have added a guy like Paxton Lynch here to help the team develop a long-term QB, but they recently (and inexplicably, to me) re-signed Sam Bradford to a two year deal worth way too much money. I think it would be really hard to believe they'd double back and draft a 1st round QB after that (unless something crazy happened like Wentz or Goff falling). And with heavy investments at RB and TE, it really comes down to OL and WR.

If you're the Eagles, what do you do?

THE PICK:  Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State

First, look at that kid. That's an offensive lineman, folks. Even his name screams offensive lineman. JACK CONKLIN. I'm surprised he's not wearing a leather helmet. Conklin played both left and right tackle at Michigan State and held his own against top competition (including DeForest Buckner, apparently, which is impressive). 

The Eagles just guaranteed over $20MM to Sam Bradford, whose knee joints are made from balsa wood, Silly Putty and bacon grease. He's fragile, is what I'm saying. Keeping Bradford clean is absolutely mandatory if the offense is going to materialize in any way. As the team refocuses under new rookie Head Coach Doug Pederson, it's a safe way to help the offense execute the plays called before getting blown up by aggressive pass rushers and run stoppers.

Jack Conklin is the guy.

Next up, the Oakland Raiders.