Assessing The What The Draft Means For The Eagles

As the both the literal and figurative hangover from last week’s NFL draft subsides, the post mortem assessments are in full throttle but with nothing more than pure speculation for the foreseeable future.

Some prognoses seem more clear than others when comparing the outcomes with the Philadelphia Eagles. The Jacksonville Jaguars had a successful weekend talent-wise. The Dallas Cowboys created an experience that may prove to be more high-risk, high reward.

Selecting impact players has generally not been fruitful for Philly in recent years. Then again, recent years have seen a complete roster upheaval that reflected the former coach and general manager’s lightening-speed, Duck-heavy vision of the team; a vision which often seemed to defy logic when it came to addressing needs and fits.

As for this past go-round, the fits will be determined over time. But the needs—at least from a positional standpoint—were addressed spot-on, and arguably in order of priority. Let’s examine:

1^st Round: Carson Wentz, QB (North Dakota State Bison) The least surprising—and most anticlimactic—pick. After backing up the Brinks truck to Cleveland to move up six spots, this was a foregone conclusion. However, the selection does send mixed messages as to what the team’s contention intentions are for this coming season. And there’s still that whole issue with that Bradford guy they just resigned. But considering how difficult it is to contend without a franchise quarterback, it’s hard to fault Howie Roseman and his staff for swinging for the fences (even if his legacy as general manager may be forever linked to the deal).

3^rd Round: Isaac Seumalo, OL (Oregon State Beavers) Once a perennial staple of the team, it’s no secret how much in shambles the Eagles’ gutted line was last season, especially the interior. The versatile Seumalo potentially kills a few birds with one stone as someone who can step in and play tackle, guard or center. And with Jason Kelce returning from a career-worst year, Jason Peters entering the twilight of his career, and new free agent signee Stefan Wisniewski a crapshoot, it’s not out of the question for Seumalo to compete for a starter role sooner rather than later.

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5^th Round: Wendell Smallwood, RB (West Virginia Mountaineers) Talk about terrible first impressions—not to mention valuable lessons in social media etiquette. Unfortunately, in today’s modern society, being young and stupid follows you forever (and for the record, a guy with the name “Smallwood” should know better than to make juvenile cracks at the expense of others). However, if the athletic running back can fill the void that the since-departed DeMarco Murray never could, all should be forgiven in the city of Brotherly of Love very soon. And with an aging Darren Sproles and an oft-injured Ryan Mathews still on the roster, he may get plenty of chances to do just that.

5^th Round: Halapoulivaati Vaitai, OT (Texas Christian Horned Frogs) With a glaring lack of depth and the aforementioned Peters likely in his final season with the Eagles, it makes perfect sense to double down on the line, and especially on a massive tackle. If his blocking can give opposing pass rusher as much fits as his name does to pronounce, Philly fans are in for a big treat.

6^th Round: Blake Countess, CB (Auburn Tigers) After signing several in the offseason, the depth at cornerback is no longer glaring, but in today’s pass-heavy league, you can never have too many. Furthermore, there is no clear-cut shutdown cover guy on the team, Countess will have his opportunities to make an impression.

7^th Round, Jalen Mills, S (LSU Tigers) Outside of what should be a quality safety tandem of Malcom Jenkins and free agent pickup Rodney McLeod, the roster is quite thin. And considering that some had Mills ranked as high as a second-round talent, it was a no-brainer to take a shot with him this late in the draft.

7^th Round, Alex McCalister, DE (Florida Gators) Like cover men, pass rushers are another position that warrants mass collecting. Plus, with Brandon Graham and Connor Barwin—both outside linebackers last season—switching over to defensive end, some insurance at the spot will come in handy. Another with some off the field concerns, but there is talent here.

7^th Round, Joe Walker, ILB (Oregon Ducks) Fitting that the last selection of the first draft without the former Duck is a former Duck. Also fitting that Walker can play middle linebacker after parting with starters DeMeco Ryans and Kiko Alonso.

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Eagles’ Draft Addresses Their Positional Needs

By Jeff Glauser | May 9, 2016

As the both the literal and figurative hangover from last week’s NFL draft subsides, the post mortem assessments are in full throttle but with nothing more than pure speculation for the foreseeable future.