Which Need Should The Philadelphia Eagles Fill First In The Draft?

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The 2015 NFL Draft is almost upon us and the excitement is quickly building for football fans. This is the time of year when speculation and rumors are at an all time high. The Philadelphia Eagles have had one crazy offseason so the draft is creating even more anticipation for fans and media. The Eagles have a plethora of needs, so the million dollar question is, which position should the team target in the first round?

When you look at the Philadelphia Eagles current roster, you see needs at the corner and safety spots, at right guard, wide receiver, and outside linebacker. Each of these holes can potentially be filled in the first round, but each have a level of urgency to fill. The way the drat is stacking up (according to draft experts) the Eagles will have a chance to address these trouble areas without dramatically reaching.

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The wide receiver position has become thin since the departure of wide out Jeremy Maclin in free agency. This draft is absolutely littered with talented wide receiver prospects. This is the reason why the Philadelphia Eagles need to stay away from drafting a receiver in the first round. The team can still get a starting wide out in rounds 2-4 and still get a contributor in the late rounds to pair with the Eagles already talented young receiving core. Guys like Miami’s Phillip Dorsett, Georgia’s Chris Conley, and Kansas State’s Tyler Lockett could all be options outside of the first round while still filling the depth issue at the wide receiver position.

The outside line backer position was addressed in the first round of last seasons draft by the selection of Marcus Smith. The only problem was Smith couldn’t get on the field and struggled to adapt to the NFL. I personally still believe in Marcus Smith, who has all the physical tools to be a great pass rusher. But a year later, this position is still a need and the Eagles should look for pass rushers in this draft. The one problem is that the pass rushers in this years draft all have issues just like Marcus Smith last year. Whether it’s character concerns, physical tools, or game tape, this years pass rushing class brings more of the same from last year. A first round selection for a OLB would be a waste in my opinion.

It was no secret that the offensive line played a part in the Philadelphia Eagles disappointing season last year. The age of the o-line really caught up to the team and the entire group was riddled with injuries. The instability upfront killed the teams running game and made the team extremely one dimensional. Drafting a young offensive line prospect is almost a guarantee, but I don’t think the Eagles will take one in the first round. The only offensive lineman worth considering in the first round by the time the Eagles are selecting is Oregon’s Jake Fisher. Fisher obviously wold make sense on multiple levels, but like wide receiver, there’s a bunch of guys that can come in right away and plug the hole at right guard. Hobart’s Ali Marpet, Duke’s Laken Tomlinson, Utah’s Jeremiah Poutasi, Penn State’s Donovan Smith are all day 2 options. Cross offensive line off the list for a first round option.

The most pressing need is definitely the corner and safety spots. These are the positions that the Philadelphia Eagles will target in the first round in my opinion. The secondary has been atrocious for past 4 years and needs to be addressed. The team started the secondary makeover by signing safety Malcolm Jenkins, and corner Byron Maxwell in the past two free agency periods. Now it’s time for the team to take a premier player in the first round to finally fill a pressing need.

The safety and corner classes this year are especially weak so the team might take one earlier than some might expect. The Eagles covet press man corners and safeties who can line up over the slot. The ability to play man defense is vital for the teams success. Wake Forest’s Kevin Johnson, UCONN’s Byron Jones are the lead options for corner. The only safety with a first round grade and fits the teams scheme is Arizona State’s Damarious Randall, don’t be surprised if you hear his name called when the Philadelphia Eagles are on the clock.

The Philadelphia Eagles have various needs and the draft is quickly approaching. The team can go many different ways, but the secondary is the key position that the team should and probably will target in the first round. Whether it’s a corner or safety, the Eagles need to fill a need thats been plaguing them for years. This upcoming draft should be a good one.

Next: Philadelphia Eagles Open To Trading Marcus Smith

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