The annual NFL Draft over the past two seasons played an integral role in the Eagles’ recent run to their first Super Bowl title in franchise history. At the top of the list was a series of trades that allowed Philadelphia to select quarterback Carson Wentz with the second overall pick of the 2016 draft. This gave the Eagles stability at their most important position. What Wentz has been able to accomplish in his first two seasons has laid the groundwork for a potential Super Bowl run every season he remains under center.
Going back to the 2016 draft, this was the first time that the duo of team vice president Howie Roseman and head coach Doug Pederson worked together on the personnel decisions for the team. Fast forward to the team’s second pick in the fifth round when it selected TCU offensive tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai. He stepped in for Jason Peters early in the season and stepped up his game to fill a huge hole in the offensive line. In the seventh round they added safety Jalen Mills, who has gone on to become a key addition to the defensive secondary.
Moving on to last year’s draft, the Eagles went with defensive end Derek Barnett in the first round. Playing on one of the best defensive lines in the NFL, he made enough plays as a rookie to justify such a high pick. Cornerback Sidney Jones was a reach in the second round given his injury status, but he is the type of player that can make a huge contribution next season and hopefully for years to come. Mack Hollins was added in the fourth round to give the wide receiving corps some additional depth. He ended the regular season with 16 receptions for 226 yards and one score. This was well down the list on the team’s stat list, but productive none the less.
Turning to this year’s draft, Philly will have to wait until the final pick of the first round to go on the clock. One of the biggest areas of need would be on the offensive line even if Peters returns as the starting left tackle. Roseman and Pederson have done an excellent job of building this team from the inside out with a solid line on both sides of the ball.
Given that the Eagles will not pick again until the fourth round, their first-round pick could be the best available player at any number of positions. Some draft gurus have Philly taking Georgia running back Sony Michel at No. 32, but I still believe that it will be an addition up front. I would not rule out a defensive end or linebacker to add even more depth to one of the team’s strongest areas.
When it comes to the first of two fourth-round picks, I could see Pederson going with the best tight end on the board. Zack Ertz has developed into one of the best players at that position in the NFL, but Brent Celek is getting up there in years and early reports have Trey Burton testing the free agent market.
After that, it will come down to the best available player for the remainder of the picks, which include the second pick in the fourth round as well as two fifth-round picks and one more in the sixth. The dynamic duo of Roseman and Pederson have quite a bit less to work with in their third draft together, but the confidence level is rather high that they will make the most of the situation.
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