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Risk Aversion Is A Thing Of The Past For The Philadelphia Eagles

By Matt Giraldi

Apr 29, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; From right to left Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson and owner Jeffrey Lurie and quarterback Carson Wentz and vice president of football operations Howie Roseman pose for a photo as Wentz is introduced to the media at NovaCare Complex Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; From right to left Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson and owner Jeffrey Lurie and quarterback Carson Wentz and vice president of football operations Howie Roseman pose for a photo as Wentz is introduced to the media at NovaCare Complex Auditorium. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Carson Wentz (North Dakota State) with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the Philadelphia Eagles as the number one overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Carson Wentz (North Dakota State) with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the Philadelphia Eagles as the number one overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

The Philadelphia Eagles are taking some bold risks this year. The first series of steps in the offseason was hiring Doug Pederson as the new head coach. This was quickly followed by the purge of former head coach Chip Kelly’s players. This consisted of DeMarco Murray, Kiko Alonso, and Byron Maxwell. Walter Thurmond, despite his performance last season at safety, was not re-signed. Sam Bradford is in quarterback purgatory. The only survivor of the relentless bloodbath created by now reinstated General Manager Howie Roseman has been the least likely candidate, running back Ryan Mathews.

Continuity is a beautiful thing for NFL franchises that are adept to winning. Maintaining relationships, particularly between the coaches and players, is paramount to running a successful organization. The Philadelphia Eagles are attempting to start anew, just three years after a prior organizational purge. So the question Eagles fans need to be asking is: Are the Philadelphia Eagles a dysfunctional organization?

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The Eagles made a bold, calculated decision to move up in the draft. Carson Wentz, despite his upside, is a relative unknown. This isn’t an indictment against Wentz, nor is it speculation about his future in the NFL. Wentz has all the tools necessary to be a successful quarterback in the National Football League. The other quarterback on the roster, Chase Daniel, is a relative unknown as well, despite being in the NFL as long as Sam Bradford.

Only twice in the past ten years have the Eagles traded up in the first round. Once was in 2009 to select wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, and the second was the following season to move up in order to draft defensive end Brandon Graham. Neither trade consisted of the Eagles giving up anything more than third-round picks in addition to their first-round selection of that season. This year however, the Eagles mortgaged the future by trading their 2017 first-round pick in addition to a 2018 second-round selection.

Draft picks are a form of currency in the NFL. There will always be inherent risk. The Eagles have had their fair share of busts during Jeffrey Lurie’s ownership. The failures have predominantly been related to a lack of NFL talent. Rarely, if ever, has the franchise invested in players drafted with checkered pasts like this year’s draft.

Next: The Eagles Took Chances In Late Rounds

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