Philadelphia Eagles 2015 Mistakes To Avoid

Nov 23, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans outside linebacker

(90) during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

II. Trading Up In A “Starless” Draft

It was bound to happen eventually. For the first time in five years, the NFL Draft of 2015 will see fewer underclassmen declaring than the previous year.  In 2014, 98 underclassmen declared.  In 2015, that number has dropped to 74.  That’s a 25% drop.   Typically, underclassmen who declare have some reason to believe that they will be drafted and make an NFL roster, so the drop of declarations has shrunk the pool of talent.

Further complicating this year is the 98 underclassmen who went in last year’s draft.   So 98 gone early.   24 not  coming to the party.   Considering 32 teams with 7 rounds is 224 selections (plus comp picks), you just removed a very significant amount of talent from the pool to choose from.   So what?   Well, part of the strategy of any NFL draft is to pay as little as you must for as much talent as you can get.   This year, the Eagles sit at the twentieth slot for each round, plus a 16 slot pick in the fourth round.   If there was a point where a drop off in talent occurred ahead of the Eagles slot to pick, it falls to logic that the Eagles would be interested in trading up to get one of the stars of the draft.

But who is the star this year?  There is no Jadeveon Clowney in the 2015 draft.   In fact, there is no true consensus number one.    While there is still plenty of time for the combine and the frenzy which immediately follows to take hold, the absence of “top tier talent” should be considered very cautiously.  In a draft like the 2015 version, it’s better to have MORE picks than TOP picks.   Talent which is closely grouped is tough to discern which prospect will be “the one” to excel in the NFL.  So, the more chances you have the more likely you are to succeed.  Think back to your mother or grandmother playing Bingo.   The more cards she played, the more chances she had of winning.

Next: Fail To Upgrade In Free Agency