The Giants and Eagles could use a first-round pick on a quarterback. There is a time and a place for it. The Eagles have three first-round picks and are going to the combine in Indianapolis this week. They could use the bulk of their draft cache to make a serious run at a veteran quarterback such as Russell Wilson or Deshaun Watson. They could chase after a star receiver. They could package some picks to move up and grab a blue-chip prospect like Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton, or push picks back to 2023 in the event that Jalen Hurts is not the answer at quarterback. It is a good bet that the plan includes securing a pass-rusher. The Eagles are built from the inside out. They are transparent about that in their words and actions. Philadelphia has used seven of its 11 first-round picks on offensive or defensive linemen. That philosophy dates back to the early days of coach Andy Reid, who once told the team that he wanted two offensive tackles, a quarterback, two pass-rushers, two corners, and I would figure the rest out. The Eagles offensive line is pretty stacked, but the defensive front is a different story. Barnett is a pending free agent. He had more personal fouls than sacks last season and is unlikely to be re-signed. Brandon Graham is expected to be back on the field at some point during the early part of the 2020 season, but he will be 34 next month and is coming off an injury. This position is screaming for help even with Josh Sweat having a career year and Tarron Jackson flashing at times as a rookies last season. They came to the right place to find it. Michigan's David Ojabo, Oregon's Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Michigan's Aidan Hutchinson are among the top 25 prospects according to Mel Kiper. Pass-rushers tend to go off the board in the draft, but the depth at the position should allow top-end talent to fall to where the Eagles are picking in the first round. McShay's rankings are:
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The experts tend to agree. In his latest mock draft, he has Philadelphia taking Ojabo with the 16th pick.
He can bend better if he gets to the top of his rush. He needs to be stronger, more consistent, and earn more reps to play the run, which he didn't get at Michigan.
McShay gave the Eagles Walker at 16 in his latest mock draft.
The analyst projected Johnson to the Eagles at 15.
I think that Jermaine Johnson could be intriguing to them. I think I saw Howie Roseman on the sideline so I could see what he was capable of.
The Eagles had 29 sacks last season. The declining play of Cox, who is poised to make $15 million this season and was the subject of trade talks prior to November's deadline, as well as the soft coverage defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon deployed in the back end, speak to a number of things.
They were hurt by the lack of firepower off the edge. Barnett and Ryan Kerrigan are likely to leave, Graham is on his way back in, and the Eagles could very well bolster the position around him and Sweat in the draft and free agency.
Kevin Seifert has six pass-rushers in the top 20 of his ranking of top free agents.
Philadelphia has an estimated $22.7 million in cap space, but with holes at corner, safety, receiver and linebacker, those resources need to be spread out. Signing a mid-level defensive end in free agency is the best way to get a legit difference-maker in the first round.
The Eagles are in Indy this week and they have a lot of prospects to look at.
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