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Philadelphia Eagles: Draft Need over Value

By Jacob Brooks

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Oct 26, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins (27) in the huddle with teammates against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Eagles 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

This year the Philadelphia Eagles need to spend their 1st round draft choice on a defensive back. It’s that simple. Easier said than done, but what do Brian Dawkins, Lito Sheppard, Michael Lewis and Sheldon Brown have in common? They were all 1st or 2nd round draft choices. It is time to draft a major need.

In my opinion those four playesr made up the best defensive backfield that the Philadelphia Eagles have ever had. The Eagles had top round talent at all 4 secondary positions. This secondary helped the Eagles become one of the most dominant defenses in the NFL. So what happened?

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Burned, the Eagles were burned in both free agency and the NFL draft. Ever since the departure of those players, the Philadelphia Eagles have struggled to fill the void of a great secondary.

It was only a few seasons ago that the Philadelphia Eagles were burned when they went crazy spending during free agency and brought in the best free agent cornerbacks to help a struggling defense. For the sake of sanity I will leave those players nameless, we all remember.

The Eagles are also about 4 years removed from spending a 2nd and 3rd round draft pick on a couple defensive backs that didn’t quite pan out. After being burned with those draft picks, the Philadelphia Eagles have not spent higher than a 4th round draft pick on a defensive back, again, trying to draft defensive backs based on value. This is why I believe the Eagles need to use their 2015 1st round pick on a defensive back.

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Nothing in the National Football League is guaranteed, but if the Philadelphia Eagles keep drafting based on value and ignoring obvious needs, we could be in the same boat next offseason. If the draft board falls favorably to the Eagles, it is time to pull the trigger on a first round defensive back.

Current Philadelphia Eagles secondary members, Nate Allen, Bradley Fletcher and Cary Williams could all be replaced. This year’s NFL Draft is not loaded at the cornerback or safety positions, but there is 1st round talent. Instead of trading away draft picks to move up in this draft, the Eagles should look to add multiple high round draft choices to improve the weakest area of this team.

Inside the Iggles has some great posts about potential draft choices. Check out some of the other writers and their analysis of the Philadelphia Eagles and the 2015 NFL Draft.

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