Will the Eagles again take a WR in Round 1?

The Eagles are looking to take that next step which is why this year’s NFL draft is so important. While some teams have been able to prosper by signing high-profile free agents, the best way to build an NFL team is through the draft.

Nobody seemingly enjoys taking wild swings on draft night than Eagles GM Howie Roseman.

For somebody who has enjoyed great success, Roseman is highly criticized among the Eagles fan base.

There is one indisputable fact – without Roseman’s maneuvering, the Eagles would not have won the Super Bowl during the 2017 season.

The Eagles have reached the playoffs four of the past five years and one can say it occurred largely due to playing in a weak NFC East, but there is something to be said about being a frequent playoff participant, regardless of the competition.

Earning a playoff berth last season in what was expected to be a rebuilding year, was impressive.

And yes, Roseman will forever hear about passing on Justin Jefferson and drafting Jalen Reagor in 2020 but every team misses on picks in the first round.

What about last year? The Eagles got it right at receiver with DeVonta Smith at No. 10 (after Roseman traded up from No. 12 with the Dallas Cowboys to select a player who was on the New York Giants’ radar at No. 11.

The Eagles also selected Alabama offensive lineman Landerson Dickerson in the second round (No. 37 overall).

Both could be future Pro Bowl players. This year Roseman already shook up the draft in a trade with the New Orleans Saints that most agree the Eagles easily got the better of the deal.

The Eagles, armed originally with three first-round picks (15, 16 and 19) traded No. 16 and 19 along with a sixth-round pick (No. 194 overall) in this year’s draft to the Saints in exchange for The No. 18 overall pick a third-round selection (101 overall) and seven round (237th overall), all in this year’s draft.

In addition, the Eagles obtained a first-round pick from New Orleans in the 2023 draft and a second-round pick from the Saints in the 2024 draft.

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So the Eagles next year have two first-round picks (their own and the Saints) along with their own No. 2, 3, 4 5 and 7 selections.

The Eagles also have all their picks in 2024 along with the Saint's No. 2.
So they have the draft capital if they are looking to move up next year in case they are looking for a quarterback.

While the Eagles say they are fully behind Jalen Hurts, there is no guarantee that he is the answer. Surely his performance in the Eagle's 31-15 playoff loss to Tampa Bay gives pause.

For now, they are full-go with him and now the question is will the Eagles use the draft to provide Hurts more viable weapons.

Could the Eagles draft a receiver in the first round for the third year in a row?

The answer is absolutely.
And don’t put it past Roseman to move up if he sees a player (especially a receiver) that he likes.

Ohio State’s Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, Alabama’s Jamison Williams, USC’s Drake London and Arkansas’s Treylon Burks are considered the top receivers, not necessarily in that order.

Many have linked London, a 6-5, 210-pound red-zone nightmare to the Eagles.

London and Williams have injury questions.
Williams suffered a torn ACL in Alabama’s national championship loss to Georgia on Jan. 10.

If not for the injury, it would be likely that he would be the highest-drafted receiver.

With reports that he is ahead of schedule, it’s still more than likely he won’t be ready for the beginning of the season, but he might be the best home run threat in the draft.

He is a transfer from Ohio State and imagines how good a receiver has to be just to get on the field for the Buckeyes, especially when Wilson, Olave and Williams were there at the same time.

Either way, don’t be surprised if the Eagles make another trade on draft night, and also don’t be surprised to see a receiver taken in the first round
 

Author: Marc Narducci