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Philadelphia Eagles Hindsight: Re-drafting the Eagles 2014 Draft Class

By Jesse Shuter

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Aug 21, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) makes a leaping catch in front of Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Marcus Smith (90) during the second half of a game at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles won 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

They say that hindsight is 20-20 and in the case of the Philadelphia Eagles 2014 draft, that could not be more true. The Eagles draft was just short of a disaster with few bright spots. This offseason the Eagles were left reeling with a need for quite a few moves and a revamping of the entire offense and secondary. Things would be a lot different if their draft went more smoothly. So, let’s take a look at what could have happened with some Philadelphia Eagles hindsight.

Round 1: Pick 26 (via Cleveland Browns)

Original Pick: Marcus Smith DE/OLB, Louisville

New Pick: Teddy Bridgewater QB, Louisville

After a stunning development in 2014 which included the Cleveland Browns moving up to select quarterback Johnny Manziel (which did not pan out), the Eagles decided to grab Marcus Smith in a move that left the football world confused and disappointed.

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Eagles

Widely regarded as a reach, the Eagles insisted that Smith would prove to be a vital part of their defense. Instead he was a complete bust not even showing enough skill to make it on the field much. If it weren’t for the first round price tag to his name, he probably wouldn’t be on the Eagles right now.

Instead, the Eagles grab their quarterback of the future from the same school of their original pick. Teddy Bridgewater showed that he has what it takes to be a great quarterback in this league. He even has the added ability to run which would be excellent in Chip Kelly’s offense. If only Kelly had seen what Bridgewater could do last year no one would be even thinking about Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota as a potential Eagle.

Nov 10, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jordan Matthews (81) scores a touchdown past Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman (24) during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 45-21. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Round 2: Pick 42 (via Tennessee Titans)

Original Pick: Jordan Matthews WR, Vanderbilt

New Pick: Jordan Matthews WR, Vanderbilt

This was the only pick that the Eagles got right. The best receiver in SEC history, Matthews made a mark on the Eagles 2014 season by being one of the most productive slot receivers in the NFL. No receiver after Matthews has shown more talent.

Round 3: Pick 86

Original Pick: Josh Huff WR, Oregon

New Pick: Martavis Bryant WR, Clemson

I don’t really have a problem with Josh Huff here as he was a decent value. However, he showed that he wasn’t ready to be a starter last season with some bad drops and inconsistent play. Meanwhile on the Pittsburgh Steelers, Bryant showed that he has what it takes to be a star in this league and would make a fantastic young duo with Matthews.

Dec 20, 2014; Landover, MD, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (18) catches the ball as Washington Redskins cornerback Bashaud Breeland (26) defends in the fourth quarter at FedEx Field. The Redskins won 27-24. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Round 4: Pick 101 (via Houston Texans)

Original Pick: Jaylen Watkins CB, Florida

New Pick: Bashaud Breeland CB, Clemson

The Eagles made the right call taking a corner here after failing to address the secondary earlier in the draft. I actually loved the Watkins pick when the Eagles made it, and I still like it. Watkins has the potential to grow in to an impact role player for the Eagles. That being said, Breeland is a starter. A guy that the Eagles can trust to be physical and competitive on every down. The Eagles made the wrong call between these two, but I’d say the jury is still out on Watkins.

Round 5: Pick 141 (via Houston Texans)

Original Pick: Taylor Hart DE, Oregon

New Pick: Telvin Smith LB, Florida State

Hart wasn’t a great pick. I understand the thought process here by Chip Kelly, but it just was not a great pick. He wanted a guy that would understand his system and his culture and could be a situational guy to help ease Marcus Smith into a full time role. What ended up happening was two wasted picks. Smith ended up being a key defensive contributor for the Jaguars by the end of the year. He had a very impressive rookie campaign and would be a great fit for the Eagles right now.

Round 5: Pick 162

Original Pick: Ed Reynolds S, Stanford

New Pick: E.J. Gaines CB, Missouri

Ed Reynolds was a smart pick that still has the potential to pan out. That being said, with Gaines you get one of the better corners in this draft and another starter to go opposite what you drafted earlier in Breeland. I’d take a starter over a potential backup any day of the week (and twice on sunday).

Dec 20, 2014; Landover, MD, USA; Philadelphia Eagles kicker Cody Parkey (1) attempts a field goal against the Washington Redskins during the second half at FedEx Field. The Redskins won 27-24. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Round 7: Pick 224

Original Pick: Beau Allen DT, Wisconsin

New Pick: Cody Parkey K, Auburn

This is not at all a knock on Beau Allen. He was a fantastic pick here especially since he had a pretty big role for seventh round pick. That being said, Parkey was a pro bowl kicker for the Eagles this season and would be a fantastic pick for us. In a world where the Eagles get Teddy Bridgewater there is a chance they don’t get Parkey by trade so instead they have to draft him.

With this team the Eagles have a legitimate chance to be Super Bowl contenders in the near and distant future.

Next: Time For LeSean McCoy to Shut Up About Philadelphia Eagles

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