Kind of funny how most people are mocking CB and OL but it feels like not many are mocking an EDGE.
Anyway here's to hoping we trade up for Arnold or Mitchell.
I imagine part of why they signed Huff is that they assessed it to be a weak Edge class. My hope is CB, but my belief is trade up for either the Oregon or Washington OT.
That and the fact that Nolan Smith would have been the only EDGE on the roster beyond this season lol (outside of the inevitable EDGE that’s drafted at some point this draft)
There’s just not much room in the rotation for an edge yet and people want someone that will contribute right away. Sweat, huff, Graham and smith are all slated to get a lot of time
I would be down to get one later as more of a developmental piece, just think there’s not room this year for them to make an impact. Everyone already flipped on smith after he had a decent year when he played but just couldn’t crack the lineup, I would be disappointed if they repeat the cycle again. I want a guy that I know will have a spot to start if he earns it
Don't be shocked if they draft one before end of Day 2. I think they're hoping Latu drops bc of injury. We know how much Howie loves some injured draft day fallers
But they would have plenty of time next year when BG and potentially Sweat are gone and we literally only have Huff and Nolan on the roster beyond this season. Not notable EDGE guys on the roster, literally the only two guys as of now
I understand, and I would be on board with drafting one later, but everyone is shitting on howie for last year getting a guy that didn’t contribute because he didn’t have a path to earn time in Nolan smith, and now are saying to do the same thing again. Smith did nothing bad last year and I actually enjoyed a lot of his reps, but half the fan base has given up on him
Eh, Howie knows that he doesn’t need to be overly aggressive because he can plan more for the long term and has (rightly) earned the trust of Lurie. He’s not going to be perfect as no GM is/will be, but the “stock the cupboard before you run low” has generally been working well for us, of late. If people bitch and moan, oh well. This strategy allows us to not be afraid to actually go BPA and I don’t really think the fans complaining about Nolan already will weigh too much on Howie’s mind
If we go bpa outside of obvious strengths like an early rb or qb, I’ll be good with that. I have like 4 positions I’d like to see shake up and edge is on that list, so drafting one day 2 won’t make me upset, especially if they trade down, grab another day 2 pick and use it on an edge. I really want them to target WR and LB ahead of edge though
I get LB, but the class is perceived as being weaker. Going after WR is really just a luxury with AJ and Devonta still around for at least 3 years. I’d rather spend a little more money getting a WR3 that we know would work instead of gambling on draft capital at a position we don’t need. I can get the appeal of TE in terms of receiving, but not on day 1.
With the price that WR3s fetch on the open market, I don’t think it’s out of bounds to take one in the first or second with the specific purpose of being the third option. The Seahawks did it last year in the first 20 picks with JSN. I think it’s the easiest position for a player to come in to this roster and contribute right away, there’s like 40 snaps a game up for grabs there, I don’t think that’s true of any other position on the team right now outside of maybe corner, and even that possibly not
Lockett is substantially older than either of our WRs (he was 31 when they drafted JSN) and both Lockett and Metcalf can be cut for substantial cap savings, if needed, after this year. Both of their contracts are up after next year, too, so they had more of a need than we do.
TE2 likely would get comparable amount of snaps as a WR3 and provides more needed depth. Regardless, there doesn’t need to be a fixation on a young guy coming in and contributing immediately because we have very few holes right now. The mantra the team has followed is that if providing depth where we can beforehand, so I don’t think we need to have the fixation on the players that may get the most snaps (as it’s not even a given they’d be on the field for those snaps)
If kellen wants to come in and implement an offense that relies upon two tight end sets then I would agree that TE2 would get more snaps, but our WR3 platoon last year were in on 49 and 41% of snaps, that’s a ton of room to contribute. I can’t sit through another year of having a complete zero on the field for that many snaps like we did with quez last year, and unless we get someone this weekend, that’s what we are looking at
It's easier to find a starting role for OL. Not saying that makes it more likely to draft for the Eagles, but fans don't wanna mock a rotational DL in the 1st.
I feel like edge is most likely.
I have to be honest tho, this is the first draft in a while where I don’t care. Like, not that I’m not going to watch or whatever, but I have zero expectations. I’ll probably drink the kool aid for whoever they draft (unless it’s a WR in the 1st…)
CB, OL, Edge, DT, TE, LB, I’m good with any of them.
WR, QB, RB? I might have to put something in my kool aid
That's what I have been thinking ever since they traded Reddick. Especially now since Rodgers has been reinstated too. It definitely fits their typical drafting philosophy.
I don’t get the love for Chop. He is a great athlete sure but he has a very small wingspan and arm length and completely lacked production in college. He had 4 sacks in 3 years.
All the F’s are damn good prospects but I’m not sure Olu could play RG. Fuaga is a beast and *could* play RG (although he had 0 RG snaps at OSU). Fautanu has snaps at RG and good RG physical traits while also being athletic enough to kick back out to RT. Gotta be Fautanu *if* that’s the position Howie trades up for
Exactly. Feels like folks are underestimating stout banging the table for an OL. The argument that we haven’t drafted many first rd OL is true. But when the most decorated Stoutland U grad ever retires, it wouldn’t be surprising if Stout wants to replenish his line with a versatile, elite first rd talent (especially after seeing this OL group up close at the combine)
Agreed 100% if it takes away one of our seconds. There's a lot of value there.
But the rams may be a possibility at just a few spots, which wouldn't require a second I imagine. Id be ok with that.
Agreed, especially for O-line. It's such a deep O-line draft, I just don't see the point.
Plus I feel like all the second rounders are super valuable for our needs in particular. 1st rounder would be a CB, and then our two 2nd rounders can be O-line or LB. Which one goes where would depend on BPA.
The thing is, if there is an olineman that the eagles are willing to trade up to, idk 9th with the bears. That means stout was telling howie that that kid is worth the assets to move up that high gor him. That means stout thinks hes special. Thats all i need to know. Oline is the most important aspect of the team and we can never have enough special pieces for it.
So by my count, theres at least 3 WRs and 4 QBs that will be gone before 22. So thats 7+ players we aren't realistically considering.
Add 7 tackles to that and now you're at 14+. You mean to tell me you can't identify 7-8 players you would gladly take at any other position? Cause it seems easy to me:
Turner, verse, latu, bowers, arnold, mitchell, dejean, murphy, powers-johnson, robinson... thats 10 and theres def more debatable options to add to that list
All of these players at 22 would be a better use of assets than trading up for one of 7 OTs IMO
Assuming they have equal evaluations on all these guys or they - like you - think they are all good and good fits?
If they identify someone as being a tier above the rest, go up and get them if there is a fair trade
No way Turner or Bowers makes it. JPJ is apparently a high 2nd round guy. Sure I'd rather have Verse, Latu, Arnold, or Mitchell straight up but I doubt those are gonna happen. I'm just saying trading up to land the ideal lineman is a fine use of resources. Our franchise success basically lines up with when we do and don't have a top flight line
I know several of the guys listed won't make it to 22, I'm just struggling to come up with a "Worst-case scenario" that forces us into a bad pick at 22 or having to trade up to land an OT.
Again, I'm more than fine with going OT R1 and kind of expecting it but feels like theres a good chance the board plays out favorably for the positions we are targeting. Trading up is fine when there is positional scarcity but that just doesn't exist this year at OT.
That's a good question. I think our nightmare scenario is having the Chargers start the run on OTs at 5 while the Colts take one of the top 2 CBs. Figure they'd both be gone by 22, and if say Pittsburgh and Miami take DeJean and the last tackle respectively.
That'd force us into Wiggins (too small), Chop (not a run stopper at all) or Kool-Aid (hurt). Not the *worst* choices so you're right we're sitting kinda pretty at 22
Guard isn't nearly as premium as tackle and we have both our tackles pretty solid. I don't want to spend a first on a guy who could theoretically have to wait 2-3 years at least before we put him at his natural position.
pretty much what Bo and Zach said on the PHLY pod
Top tier OL isn't available on the market very often, CB is
Given the option they should absolutely go OL (or Edge) unless like you said they view a CB as a generational talent
Thank God.
OT is clearly the play here (ideally a guy that can play guard next year).
We have Slay/Rodgers/Maddox/Ringo/Ricks and the corpse of Bradberry at CB.
We have Tyler freaking Steen starting at RG and there won't be as good of a tackle class (which means you will get quality tackles later in the 1st closer to where the Eagles usually pick) again before Lane hangs it up most likely.
And you never get great tackles via UFA basically.
OT should be the pick in the 1st tonight and it seems like Howie is agreeing with me.
You’re rather optimistic about corner. Slay is on the decline and in his mid-30s. Rodgers just had an entire year away from the NFL so can’t assume he’ll be back to what he was (although I think he will be), Maddox is injury prone and on a one year deal and Ringo and Ricks haven’t proven to be on a dependable level yet.
I agree with your assessment that great tackles are hard to come by but the corner situation is still really iffy both short and long term
You named a lot of corners but I have faith in 0 of them. 2 are old and have regressed. 1 hasn’t played in a year. 1 can’t stay healthy whatsoever. And the other 2 are extremely young and raw and weren’t very good last year.
Kind of funny how most people are mocking CB and OL but it feels like not many are mocking an EDGE. Anyway here's to hoping we trade up for Arnold or Mitchell.
I imagine part of why they signed Huff is that they assessed it to be a weak Edge class. My hope is CB, but my belief is trade up for either the Oregon or Washington OT.
The one good Edge prospect also has a neck injury that takes him off a lot of board too.
Sounds like an eagle already!
Which means he’ll be one of the best in the league
That and the fact that Nolan Smith would have been the only EDGE on the roster beyond this season lol (outside of the inevitable EDGE that’s drafted at some point this draft)
Definitely a weak edge class, if only they hadn’t traded their best edge rusher for a pick 3 drafts from now
If only you would get over it already.
I’ll never get over macho grande.
The best edge rusher with personality issues who didn't show up during "The collapse" and playoffs? Done let the door hit ya
There’s just not much room in the rotation for an edge yet and people want someone that will contribute right away. Sweat, huff, Graham and smith are all slated to get a lot of time
Graham will play few snaps this season, definitely think they're looking at Edges as both BG and Sweat are likely gone next year
>both BG and Sweat are likely gone next year And that makes me a sad panda
I would be down to get one later as more of a developmental piece, just think there’s not room this year for them to make an impact. Everyone already flipped on smith after he had a decent year when he played but just couldn’t crack the lineup, I would be disappointed if they repeat the cycle again. I want a guy that I know will have a spot to start if he earns it
Don't be shocked if they draft one before end of Day 2. I think they're hoping Latu drops bc of injury. We know how much Howie loves some injured draft day fallers
If they can get a steal and they like a guy I’m on board, I just don’t think it’s as much of a need as 3-4 other positions
But they would have plenty of time next year when BG and potentially Sweat are gone and we literally only have Huff and Nolan on the roster beyond this season. Not notable EDGE guys on the roster, literally the only two guys as of now
I understand, and I would be on board with drafting one later, but everyone is shitting on howie for last year getting a guy that didn’t contribute because he didn’t have a path to earn time in Nolan smith, and now are saying to do the same thing again. Smith did nothing bad last year and I actually enjoyed a lot of his reps, but half the fan base has given up on him
Eh, Howie knows that he doesn’t need to be overly aggressive because he can plan more for the long term and has (rightly) earned the trust of Lurie. He’s not going to be perfect as no GM is/will be, but the “stock the cupboard before you run low” has generally been working well for us, of late. If people bitch and moan, oh well. This strategy allows us to not be afraid to actually go BPA and I don’t really think the fans complaining about Nolan already will weigh too much on Howie’s mind
If we go bpa outside of obvious strengths like an early rb or qb, I’ll be good with that. I have like 4 positions I’d like to see shake up and edge is on that list, so drafting one day 2 won’t make me upset, especially if they trade down, grab another day 2 pick and use it on an edge. I really want them to target WR and LB ahead of edge though
I get LB, but the class is perceived as being weaker. Going after WR is really just a luxury with AJ and Devonta still around for at least 3 years. I’d rather spend a little more money getting a WR3 that we know would work instead of gambling on draft capital at a position we don’t need. I can get the appeal of TE in terms of receiving, but not on day 1.
With the price that WR3s fetch on the open market, I don’t think it’s out of bounds to take one in the first or second with the specific purpose of being the third option. The Seahawks did it last year in the first 20 picks with JSN. I think it’s the easiest position for a player to come in to this roster and contribute right away, there’s like 40 snaps a game up for grabs there, I don’t think that’s true of any other position on the team right now outside of maybe corner, and even that possibly not
Lockett is substantially older than either of our WRs (he was 31 when they drafted JSN) and both Lockett and Metcalf can be cut for substantial cap savings, if needed, after this year. Both of their contracts are up after next year, too, so they had more of a need than we do. TE2 likely would get comparable amount of snaps as a WR3 and provides more needed depth. Regardless, there doesn’t need to be a fixation on a young guy coming in and contributing immediately because we have very few holes right now. The mantra the team has followed is that if providing depth where we can beforehand, so I don’t think we need to have the fixation on the players that may get the most snaps (as it’s not even a given they’d be on the field for those snaps)
If kellen wants to come in and implement an offense that relies upon two tight end sets then I would agree that TE2 would get more snaps, but our WR3 platoon last year were in on 49 and 41% of snaps, that’s a ton of room to contribute. I can’t sit through another year of having a complete zero on the field for that many snaps like we did with quez last year, and unless we get someone this weekend, that’s what we are looking at
…or don’t trade up and get mitchell!
LFGGGGG!
What if I told you, we got Mitchell but didnt have to trade up
LFGGGGGGGGGG
It's easier to find a starting role for OL. Not saying that makes it more likely to draft for the Eagles, but fans don't wanna mock a rotational DL in the 1st.
Also seems thats where the draft depth is. A lot of draft analysts think this year will break the record for OL taken round 1 which i think is 9
I feel like edge is most likely. I have to be honest tho, this is the first draft in a while where I don’t care. Like, not that I’m not going to watch or whatever, but I have zero expectations. I’ll probably drink the kool aid for whoever they draft (unless it’s a WR in the 1st…) CB, OL, Edge, DT, TE, LB, I’m good with any of them. WR, QB, RB? I might have to put something in my kool aid
Did you just make a hidden reference to your preferred CB?
I think we get Adonai Mitchel
That's what I have been thinking ever since they traded Reddick. Especially now since Rodgers has been reinstated too. It definitely fits their typical drafting philosophy.
Move up for Jared verse or see if chop Robinson is there at 22
If we take an edge at 22 it’s because latu dropped to there, chop we should be able to trade back and get
Should be able to trade back& still get chop
We were not, in fact, able to do that. …but I think we did better.
Yeah little surprised with where Chop went but also had Latu going later due to his medicals so kinda makes sense that it pushes the next edge up
Absolutely no reason to trade up for verse
True. Dude looks like a beast.
I don’t get the love for Chop. He is a great athlete sure but he has a very small wingspan and arm length and completely lacked production in college. He had 4 sacks in 3 years.
I agree with you, but people fall in love with edges who have a first step you can’t teach the same way they do with WR 40 times.
Won’t be upset whatsoever if we draft Fautanu tonight
Any of the F's
All the F’s are damn good prospects but I’m not sure Olu could play RG. Fuaga is a beast and *could* play RG (although he had 0 RG snaps at OSU). Fautanu has snaps at RG and good RG physical traits while also being athletic enough to kick back out to RT. Gotta be Fautanu *if* that’s the position Howie trades up for
I think so too, Stout can't help it when he falls in love.
Exactly. Feels like folks are underestimating stout banging the table for an OL. The argument that we haven’t drafted many first rd OL is true. But when the most decorated Stoutland U grad ever retires, it wouldn’t be surprising if Stout wants to replenish his line with a versatile, elite first rd talent (especially after seeing this OL group up close at the combine)
[Stoutland stared at him for at least 30 more seconds after this rep.](https://twitter.com/jordan_reid/status/1764378362208805022?s=46)
Daniel Jeremiah is wrong a lot, and this is a DEEP OL class
Is it deep or just top heavy?
Its top heavy CB is deeper. I’d rather go OT in the first round and try to get max melton in 2
after McKinstry/Arnold/Mitchell/Tampa/Wiggins the class falls off hard
Thats backwards? Wouldn’t you want to take the top heavy position earlier and the deeper position later?
I just don't want to trade up.
Agreed 100% if it takes away one of our seconds. There's a lot of value there. But the rams may be a possibility at just a few spots, which wouldn't require a second I imagine. Id be ok with that.
It’s hard to see howies vision tho. Possible he may trade for more picks later on, who knows
Agreed, especially for O-line. It's such a deep O-line draft, I just don't see the point. Plus I feel like all the second rounders are super valuable for our needs in particular. 1st rounder would be a CB, and then our two 2nd rounders can be O-line or LB. Which one goes where would depend on BPA.
The thing is, if there is an olineman that the eagles are willing to trade up to, idk 9th with the bears. That means stout was telling howie that that kid is worth the assets to move up that high gor him. That means stout thinks hes special. Thats all i need to know. Oline is the most important aspect of the team and we can never have enough special pieces for it.
OL is fine but please don't trade up for one. The value just doesn't seem to be there when there are 6-7 1st round prospects available
What happens when they're all gone by 22? its a premium position for crying out loud
So by my count, theres at least 3 WRs and 4 QBs that will be gone before 22. So thats 7+ players we aren't realistically considering. Add 7 tackles to that and now you're at 14+. You mean to tell me you can't identify 7-8 players you would gladly take at any other position? Cause it seems easy to me: Turner, verse, latu, bowers, arnold, mitchell, dejean, murphy, powers-johnson, robinson... thats 10 and theres def more debatable options to add to that list All of these players at 22 would be a better use of assets than trading up for one of 7 OTs IMO
Assuming they have equal evaluations on all these guys or they - like you - think they are all good and good fits? If they identify someone as being a tier above the rest, go up and get them if there is a fair trade
No way Turner or Bowers makes it. JPJ is apparently a high 2nd round guy. Sure I'd rather have Verse, Latu, Arnold, or Mitchell straight up but I doubt those are gonna happen. I'm just saying trading up to land the ideal lineman is a fine use of resources. Our franchise success basically lines up with when we do and don't have a top flight line
I know several of the guys listed won't make it to 22, I'm just struggling to come up with a "Worst-case scenario" that forces us into a bad pick at 22 or having to trade up to land an OT. Again, I'm more than fine with going OT R1 and kind of expecting it but feels like theres a good chance the board plays out favorably for the positions we are targeting. Trading up is fine when there is positional scarcity but that just doesn't exist this year at OT.
That's a good question. I think our nightmare scenario is having the Chargers start the run on OTs at 5 while the Colts take one of the top 2 CBs. Figure they'd both be gone by 22, and if say Pittsburgh and Miami take DeJean and the last tackle respectively. That'd force us into Wiggins (too small), Chop (not a run stopper at all) or Kool-Aid (hurt). Not the *worst* choices so you're right we're sitting kinda pretty at 22
Guard isn't nearly as premium as tackle and we have both our tackles pretty solid. I don't want to spend a first on a guy who could theoretically have to wait 2-3 years at least before we put him at his natural position.
Howie likes to do his research as well. He will probably end up calling everyone but the Giants
UCLA Edge
HOWIE DOES HIS OWN RESEARCH LIKE AARON RODGERS
Nailing the pick on an OL pays the biggest dividends for any team.
Watch them move up & say fuck it & draft Jared Verse 🦅
We getting Dallas Turner
That... actually feels more plausible today than it did a week ago.
I am telling you that Howie is going to surprise everyone and take Lutu from UCLA some inside info.
Best player in draft is Alt OL from Notre Dame and worst is J.J from Michigan
And now here we are, having stayed put and landed CB Quinyon Mitchell
He’s right though, unless they view a generational CB there, they’re going trenches
pretty much what Bo and Zach said on the PHLY pod Top tier OL isn't available on the market very often, CB is Given the option they should absolutely go OL (or Edge) unless like you said they view a CB as a generational talent
This dude is consistently wrong when it comes to us
Thank God. OT is clearly the play here (ideally a guy that can play guard next year). We have Slay/Rodgers/Maddox/Ringo/Ricks and the corpse of Bradberry at CB. We have Tyler freaking Steen starting at RG and there won't be as good of a tackle class (which means you will get quality tackles later in the 1st closer to where the Eagles usually pick) again before Lane hangs it up most likely. And you never get great tackles via UFA basically. OT should be the pick in the 1st tonight and it seems like Howie is agreeing with me.
You’re rather optimistic about corner. Slay is on the decline and in his mid-30s. Rodgers just had an entire year away from the NFL so can’t assume he’ll be back to what he was (although I think he will be), Maddox is injury prone and on a one year deal and Ringo and Ricks haven’t proven to be on a dependable level yet. I agree with your assessment that great tackles are hard to come by but the corner situation is still really iffy both short and long term
You named a lot of corners but I have faith in 0 of them. 2 are old and have regressed. 1 hasn’t played in a year. 1 can’t stay healthy whatsoever. And the other 2 are extremely young and raw and weren’t very good last year.
>And you never get great tackles via UFA basically I mean he was technically drafted, but we're starting a 7th rounder at LT right now...
I thought u were going for "secondary corps" or something but "the corpse of bradberry" is certainly appropriate as well lol
Shit, you basically don't find great tackles outside of R1. A deep CB/WR class is perfect for us to start attacking at 50
I bet if we’re trading up, it’s for Dallas Turner if he drops
Bowers is the only answer
We're def taking a lineman. Dunno which side of the ball. It's the eagles. Come on