Eagles Draft: The Case for Defense in Round 1

September 5, 2015; Pasadena, CA, USA; Virginia Cavaliers running back Albert Reid (5) runs the ball against the defense of UCLA Bruins linebacker Myles Jack (30) during the first half at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Should the Eagles go defense in the draft?

The Philadelphia Eagles have quite a few holes to fill as we approach free agency and some of them will be filled they will still have work to do come draft time. They have many options in round one, but they should go defense.

Currently the Eagles have been mocked a variety of positions. Many think that Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch is a fit for them at 13 with the top two quarterback likely gone. Other think they will go offensive line. Others still think they will go best available and go with a defensive player.

While I do believe after watching their tape that all of Lynch, Cal quarterback Jared Goff and North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz have the potential to be very good to great starters in this league, none of them have that wow factor or that must have factor of a prospect like Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck.

Perhaps if Wentz or Goff fall to the Eagles at 13 it would be an acceptable choice. However, unless that unlikely scenario comes to fruition, why reach on a quarterback when you could be left looking for one again in only a couple of years?

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Meanwhile, on the offensive line you have two star studded prospects in Ole Miss’s Laremy Tunsil and Notre Dame’s Ronnie Stanley but after that none of the prospects are very exciting and would likely be considered reaches based on need at 13.

Next year we will likely see Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson come out of college and from what I’ve seen of him he has all of the tools to be an elite quarterback in the NFL. The following year we will see UCLA’s Josh Rosen likely come out of college. He too has a skill set that could be elite in the NFL. Just because the Eagles have the need for a quarterback this season does not mean they should force themselves to take one this year.

I’d prefer to see them sign Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Chase Daniel and give him a shot to start or even move up into the second round and grab Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook who is a better fit for a west coast offense anyway.

We’ve addressed why not take a quarterback, but should the Eagle draft defense? This is an extremely talented defensive class. It features two can’t-miss elite talents at inside linebacker, a very talented defensive line class, quite a few excellent pass rushers and some excellent cornerbacks.

If either linebacker, UCLA’s Myles Jack or Notre Dame’s Jaylon Smith, falls to the Eagles they should not hesitate to take one of these incredible talents. Jack has been compared to San Francisco 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman and Smith has been compared to former 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis.

If a top cornerback is still there then you can never go wrong with secondary depth. The same goes with a pass rusher. The only position on defense that the Eagles should not take in round one is defensive tackle. While this is an excellent class of defensive tackles the Eagles defensive line is the strength of their defense.

There is a case to be made for the Eagles taking a top quarterback if one falls, but why not follow the model of the super bowl champion Denver Broncos and build an elite defense first?

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