Each year, we come up with the top 10 options for the Philadelphia Eagles with their first round, and we’ve found that while the player they’ve chosen has been amazing on occasion, their basic strategies have been predictable.
For example:
• By 2020, it felt pretty clear that the eagles would pick a wide receiver and they did.
• In 2019, we correctly diagnosed that eagles are likely to be marketed (option # 1). They chose who they thought would be Jason Peters ’successor (option 8).
• In 2018, it seemed like a year to get out of the first round (option # 1), and that’s what they did, ending up choosing a tight end (option # 7).
• In 2017, we were a little more specific and the Eagles stayed and drafted Derek Barnett as option no. 3.
Now that we’ve made this little trip down memory lane, let’s look at the Eagles ’top 10 picks in 2021.
10) Our annual support conversation
It seems like every year there’s a defender or two, whose drafting position probably aligns with that of the Eagles, and projection experts endlessly project the Birds to draft them, seemingly unaware that they haven’t taken any defenders. in the first round since 1979.
Last year they were Kenneth Murray and Patrick Queen. In 2017, it was Reuben Foster. This year is from Penn State Micah Parsons.
Since the new Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon is a disciple of Mike Zimmer, there’s a decent bet that the Eagles defenders will get more opportunities as blitzers. It is also speculated that Gannon will run a lot of Cover-2, which means these defenders will also be able to better reproduce the area. Therefore, it must be argued that the position of the defender may gain some priority points in view of the front office.
That said, forget it. They will not catch any defenders in the 12th overall selection. It doesn’t happen.
9) A quarterback still couldn’t be in play, right?
When the Eagles still owned No. 6, a quarterback was apparently still at stake, and there was a report (since it was deleted) that the Eagles tried unsuccessfully to promote BYU’s Zach Wilson. . Now that they’ve come out of the No. 6 selection, it looks like a quarterback is no longer in play.
But what if the San Francisco 49ers selected Alabama’s Mac Jones at No. 3 and somehow a man like Trey Lance of North Dakota or Justin Fields of Ohio fell? 12? Could they catch one of these guys?
Viously, obviously, if the Eagles had really liked one of these guys, they would have been stroked in election number 6 or tried to change for one of them. Still, although they clearly didn’t like the idea of taking one would the boys in sixth place overall, perhaps in election number 12, with an additional selection in the first round of 2022 in their pocket, make Lance or Fields more attractive? Is he so crazy?
But then again, we are talking about very low probabilities here.
8) Change
Would they change the eagles just to change them again? I guess they did it in 2018, when they changed from the first round of selection no. 32, and then made a modest ascent in the second round ahead of the Cowboys to get Dallas Goedert. But operating from 6 to 12 and backing up to the top ten would not be exactly the same.
Logically, if there was one player the Eagles thought was worth switching to the top ten, they probably wouldn’t have switched to the top ten. We don’t think about it too much.
7) Take one of the attacks that could turn you into a guard
There are a couple of prospects in this draft that were prominent attacks on college, but they are likely to be on guard in the NFL. They are from the northwest Rashawn Slater and the USC Alijah Vera-Tucker.
If the Eagles had an open gap in the guard, it would probably be unpopular to select any player, because, well, it’s boring to catch a guard in the first round. Eventually, most would probably accept it.
However, the Eagles roster, as it is currently under construction, offers no chance of coming out on guard, so any of these guys would stay as rookies, assuming the Eagles had a good OL week 1. In case otherwise, the Eagles should find a way to deal with Brandon Brooks to get adequate compensation.
The bet here is that the fan base would be furious if the Eagles grabbed a guard who wasn’t even projected to start as a rookie. While I certainly couldn’t blame them, maybe there’s some logic to taking a guard. Jason Kelce is a threat to retire every low season, and Isaac Seumalo’s impending move to the center would open a spot at LG. Meanwhile, Brooks has had three significant injuries over a period of 18 months:
- January 13, 2019: In the Eagles’ divisive defeat against the Saints, Brooks ripped off his right Achilles.
- December 29, 2019: Brooks suffered a shoulder injury at the end of the season in the Eagles’ NFC victory in Week 17, which he beat the Giants who required surgery.
- June 2020: Brooks ripped left Achilles.
If the Eagles believe Slater or Vera-Tucker have All-Pro races ahead of them, they would make sense as a long-term game.
Ultimately, the belief here is that the Eagles are more likely to make a selection this year that people like. Look at the answers to anything the eagles post. You’ll see at least half a dozen fans responding: “Fire Howie”. They certainly see it. While I don’t think the Eagles ’main office cares much about what fans think when it comes to roster decisions (nor should they), there’s still little doubt that there is strong pressure on Roseman. to nail that draft and take a guard just has no juice.
6) Switch again for even more options
We dealt with it last week, however, even though we believe the Eagles ’move from 6 to 12 will continue to be a clean slate, the feeling here is that there is potentially a more substantial decline in who could land the eagles in selection number 12 and who they would have to settle for later in the teens.
If there was still a quarterback in the top five available in selection no. 12, and a team that needed quarterback, like the New England Patriots or the Chicago Bears, called, and the offer was too good to pass up, sure the Eagles would be smart to consider all options.
Another opportunity to withdraw an additional selection would be to deal with the loaders of selection no. 13. The Chargers desperately need an LT, so if Sewell and another player of interest to the Eagles were both on the board, the Eagles might be able to convince something like a third- or fourth-round pick for the Chargers so they can be sure to get their boyfriend, while the Eagles continue to get a player they can be happy with in selection number 13.
But ultimately, with 11 selections in 2021 and 9 selections already in 2022, the Eagles should have no more urgency to go back.
5) Take another crack in a long-term LT
Jordan Mailata played 15 games in 2020, starting at 10, and proved he belongs in the NFL as one of 32 starting in the LT league, with the potential to be really good. While Mailata was a bright spot in a disastrous season, it’s not like it’s either Neither did Anthony Munoz. According to our count, he gave up seven sacks, which led to the Eagles ’offensive liners. It is also worth noting that it had to be closed at the beginning of each of the 2018 and 2019 seasons, with back injuries.
Meanwhile, after the team was replaced by Andre Dillard in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, he was bad as a rookie (both LT and RT, to be clear), and lost all. of the 2020 season with a biceps sprain.
Eagles have a lot of potential in LT, but nothing is certain. If it’s from Oregon Sewell’s penis slipped to 12, may be too difficult for eagles to transmit, giving importance to position.
4) Tried and true construction of the defensive line
The Eagles have caught a defensive liner or inside defender in the first round in eight drafts since the start of the Andy Reid era in 1999.
- 2017: Derek Barnett
- 2014: Marcus Smith
- 2012: Fletcher Cox
- 2010: Brandon Graham
- 2006: Brodrick Bunkley
- 2005: Mike Patterson
- 2003: Jerome McDougle
- 2000: Corey Simon
If the Eagles don’t take any kind of point or any inside defensive line in the first round of the 2021 draft, it will be the longest gap during that period in which they haven’t.
Eagles also have defensive line needs. Graham and Cox are aging, while Barnett and Josh Sweat are hiring. Beyond these guys, the Eagles have Javon Hargrave and then not much else.
It’s just … this 2021 draft defensive line group isn’t very appealing this year, especially at the top of the first round. Grabbing one at 12 would be a reach.
3) Fill the obvious and obvious need in the corner
I mean, this is the corner depth chart right now:
| Eagles CBs | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| CB | Darius Slay | Michael jacquet | Jameson Houston |
| CB | Craig James | Kevon Seymour | |
| CB slot | Avonte Maddox | Lavert Hill | Shakial Taylor |
Cornerback is the Eagles’ most blatant need, and there would be attractive options at 12 in Alabama Patrick Surtain or South Carolina Jaycee Horn.
2) Another wide first round receiver
Eagles could be receptors again after winning one in the first round last year (three WR selections overall) and one in the second round in 2019? Sure, if they finally want to do well.
As you all know, the top three recipients of this draft are LSU Ja’Marr Chase, De Bama Jaylen Waddle, and of Bama DeVonta Smith. Maybe we could also launch TE Kyle Pitts, which is like a WR giant, but which is unlikely to be available in selection no. 12. They all have very, very good prospects.
As outlined a couple of weeks later, as long as these three receivers are not taken in the first seven selections, there is a good chance that at least one is still in selection no. 12. If there is, it should not be a difficult decision. Just grab it.
1) Paste and choose
As outlined in detail last week, except for an offer they can’t turn down, the Eagles would probably be better served to stay in selection 12, as there is a sizable list of players that would make sense for the eagles, and (b) would represent the appropriate value in selection no. 12. There is little need to play games or be brave. Paste and choose.
Also, just FYI, there is some overlap from the discussion above in the “BGN Radio # 177” episode below. Listen to it, please and thank you.
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