By trading up with the Cleveland Browns for the No. 2 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft the Philadelphia Eagles have set themselves up to take whatever quarterback the Los Angeles Rams feel rates their sloppy seconds. It just so happens that no one knows which quarterback that is, or even agrees on who that quarterback should be.
Just like the Rams, I’ve factored in a trade with the Eagles picks below. In this case, it’s a third-rounder from the Denver Broncos for the services of Sam Bradford, who now wants out of Philadelphia. I don’t feel like the Eagles at this point will fight too hard to change his mind.
Bradford is actually a better fit for the Broncos than Nick Foles from the Rams. The issue is Bradford’s injury history and salary. He’s literally twice as expensive as Foles to have on the team. On the upside, if Bradford can stay upright the Broncos are in no worse shape than they would have been with Brock Osweiler without the long-term contract locking them in.
Round 1, Pick 2 – Jared Goff, QB, California
Using my strategy of the Rams actually picking not only the better of the two quarterbacks, but the better quarterback to fit their roster and system, Goff falls to the Eagles here. This works out better for everybody. If Goff has the chance to avoid his fate as Blaine Gabbert Jr., he sure as hell is a lot better off with Doug Pederson in Philly than with Jeff Fisher and the Rams anyway.
In addition to a smarter offensive mind calling plays, Goff will benefit from a more proven receiver corps and a Pro-Bowl caliber tight end. And I’ve left out the best gift a rookie quarterback could ever get; running back Darren Sproles. As a safety valve and get out of jail free card, Sproles is the best in the business. If Goff is going to make it in the NFL, the Eagles are his best fit to do it.
Round 3, Pick 77 – C.J. Prosise, RB, Notre Dame
Matthews had a solid season last year and was the primary back by the end of the season. His career history says the Eagles need some insurance. Enter Prosise who has the size and speed to be a solid starter for the Eagles this year or next.
TRADE – Round 3, Pick 94 – Kolby Listenbee, WR, TCU
Listenbee comes in via the imaginary Bradford trade, adding a starting caliber receiver with burner speed. After adding Chris Givens as a free agent in the offseason the Eagles can keep the deep pressure on with Listenbee, who ran a 4.34 at his pro day.
Round 5, Pick 153 – John Theus, OT, Georgia
Theus is a player that could find his way into the starting line up before the season is over. He’s tough and has been a dominant tackle in the SEC.
Round 5, Pick 164 – Jack Allen, Center, Michigan State
Continuing to build up the future offensive line of the Eagles, we add Jack Allen here who’s been keeping defenders out of Connor Cook’s face for years.
Round 6, Pick 188 – Stephen Weatherly, DE, Vanderbilt
An SEC defensive end with 4.53 speed in the sixth round? The Eagles should match his 40 turning in this draft card. At 6-foot-4 and 267 pounds, Weatherly is a specimen and his 31-inch vertical jump should keep a lot of passes batted out of the air even if he doesn’t get into the backfield.
Round 7, Pick 236 – Elandon Roberts, ILB, Houston
The Eagles shed Chip Kelly’s players like crazy this offseason and that left some holes, especially at linebacker where Kiko Alonzo was supposed to hold down that spot. Roberts isn’t a day-one starter, but he’s a guy that can add depth and compete for a starting spot later on.
Round 7, Pick 254 – Victor Ochi, OLB, Stony Brook
Ochi played defensive end at Stony Brook, but he’ll be a fantastic pass rushing outside linebacker for the Eagles. He piled up 13 sacks last season with his hand in the ground. Standing upright with a few steps should help him slide past offensive tackles and into the backfield in the pros.
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