Eagles Draft: Assessing Value And Prioritizing Need

Of course, there’s the distinct possibility that another player slips, or the Eagles could very well buck the trend and select a player like running back Ezekiel Elliott or linebacker Myles Jack; the latter scenario seems less likely given the pattern of behavior to this point. I’m not insinuating that taking a player like Elliott or Jack, who in my opinion are arguably top-3 players in this class, would be a mistake, just that it doesn’t fit the trend: the pattern of thinking that much of the NFL, and seemingly the Eagles, has adopted over recent years.

There’s an inherent flaw in making sweeping generalizations, but the Eagles organization never felt inclined to draft a running back or linebacker in the first round during the Reid regime (a period of relevancy that the organization is feverishly trying to replicate). In fact, if history and experience bias play a part in the decision making process –and they usually do.

The Eagles have had their most success selecting backs in the 2nd and 3rd rounds, the examples of course being LeSean McCoy and Brian Westbrook, respectively. This year, the Eagles have 2 selections in the top half of the 3rd round, and could easily maneuver into the latter parts of the 2nd if they felt the need to.

Next: Don't Get Caught Up In Elite Prospects