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What Happens If The Philadelphia Eagles Do Not Draft A Quarterback?

By Ryan Quigley

Jan 1, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Laquon Treadwell (1) celebrates his ten-yard touchdown catch against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the second quarter of the 2016 Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Laquon Treadwell (1) celebrates his ten-yard touchdown catch against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the second quarter of the 2016 Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /
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If the top three quarterbacks in this year’s draft are off the board by the time the Philadelphia Eagles pick at 13, there are numerous solid alternatives.

The Philadelphia Eagles are in a bit of a sticky situation in the quarterback department. The Eagles do not seem interested in retaining Sam Bradford and, if that’s the case, they will need to find someone else to take over as signal caller.

A name commonly connected to the Eagles is Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch, who could be available when the Eagles pick at 13. But what happens if Lynch and the other two top quarterback prospects in the draft, Jared Goff and Carson Wentz, are off the board by the time the Eagles pick?

They have options.

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Philadelphia has a good amount of areas that need to be addressed. The offensive line is a mess and, aside from Jordan Matthews, the Eagles do not have a true threat at wide receiver. A defensive back is not entirely out of the question either. Walter Thurmond may not return to the Eagles in 2016 and Nolan Carroll may also be wearing a different uniform next season as well (even though he would like to remain in Philadelphia).

Free agency is just around the corner, so things can drastically change for the Eagles between now and the draft. Nonetheless, here are some options the Eagles have if a quarterback is not in their plans for the draft:

Laquon Treadwell, WR, Mississippi

This year’s class of wide receivers isn’t nearly as inspiring compared to those of 2014 and 2015, but don’t be surprised if the Eagles are intrigued by a player like Treadwell. He’s a bigger receiver with good hands and, even though he doesn’t offer blazing speed, he uses his body well in contested catches. He’s strong and doesn’t shy away from contact after the catch. If the Eagles feel they could add more talent to their thin receiving corps, Treadwell wouldn’t be a bad option.

Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame

Stanley is regarded as one of the top offensive line prospects in this year’s draft and has even been compared to Lane Johnson. Like Johnson, he’s big, nasty and extremely athletic for a big man and has the versatility to play either tackle position. Stanley could very well be off the board by the time Philadelphia picks at 13, but if he’s not, the Eagles can do no wrong by pairing this superb athlete with Johnson for the next several years.

Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson

You can never be too deep at cornerback. Byron Maxwell, contrary to popular belief, had a solid debut season with the Eagles and Eric Rowe looks to be another valuable young asset to the Philly secondary. However, if Alexander is available at 13, he deserves consideration. He’s not the best defensive back in this year’s draft – that title goes to Florida State’s Jalen Ramsey, who will probably be gone by the time the Eagles pick – but Alexander offers everything you want in a corner. He has terrific instincts, thrives in man coverage and, of course, he can talk trash with the best of them. The Eagles have bigger needs than cornerback, but drafting a guy like Alexander wouldn’t be a bad move by any means.

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