Inside the Iggles
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Grading Howie Roseman’s 2016 personnel decisions

By Louie DiBiase

Sep 1, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman prior to action against the New York Jets at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman prior to action against the New York Jets at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA;
Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; /

2016 Draft Class: A-

1st Round: Carson Wentz

This is the move that will define Howie Roseman with the Eagles.

Say what you want about the Chase Daniel signing or the Leodis McKelvin signing. This move is far more important than those or any other transaction Roseman has made or will ever make in his career.

The Eagles moved up twice to land Wentz with the second overall pick, which had some criticism as Wentz came out of North Dakota State of the FCS. Not many people knew much about Wentz, but almost every draft expert agreed he had all the tools to be a successful QB in the NFL.

At first Wentz was set to have an NFL version of a redshirt freshman season. However a last-second trade with the Vikings allowed Wentz to take the reigns and start all 16 games in 2016.

Wentz finished with 3,782 yards, 16 touchdowns and a 62.4 completion percentage.

Sep 25, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) reacts to his touchdown pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lincoln Financial Field. The Philadelphia Eagles won 34-3. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) reacts to his touchdown pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lincoln Financial Field. The Philadelphia Eagles won 34-3. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

He broke records, finishing with the most completions by any rookie quarterback in NFL history, as well as having the longest streak of completions without an interception.

Get this. In 16 games, Wentz attempted 607 throws. In four seasons with North Dakota State, Wentz attempted 612.

The reps and film Wentz was able to collect in his rookie year will advance his development much faster then if the original plan of red shirting him stood in place.

Despite having the worst receiving core in the NFL, Wentz showed a lot of positive signs that show he is the future of the franchise.

Whether it was his play against the blitz, pocket movement, or accuracy on anticipation throws, Wentz proved if Roseman builds any sort of talented receiving core and running back group around him, the former Bison signal caller could lead Philadelphia to a Super Bowl.

Grade: A+++++++++++++

3rd round: Isaac Seumalo

This was another really solid pick in Roseman’s first year back running the draft board for the Eagles.

Coming out of Oregon State, Seumalo was an extremely versatile lineman who played tackle, guard and center. Seumalo showed that versatility in nine games with the Eagles, four of which he started at left guard. He also filled in at right tackle, and was the sixth lineman in power formations.

Roseman’s decision on Jason Kelce and Allen Barbre‘s future could be impacted by the knowledge that Seumalo can play both guard and center at the NFL level.

Grade: B+

5th round: Wendell Smallwood

Although I don’t see Smallwood as a starting running back that can get 20 carries a game, he is the perfect change-of-pace back that is used in a committee

Smallwood finished the season with 77 carries, 312 yards and a touchdown, averaging 4.1 yards per carry.

The former West Virginia back also contributed on special teams, showing his explosiveness on a kickoff 86 yards for a touchdown against the Redskins in Week 6.

Depending on Roseman’s plan at RB, Smallwood may be in line for a bigger role in 2017.

Grade: B

5th round: Halapoulivaati Vaitai

Lets just all agree to call him ‘Big V’ because I am not going to spell that name out for the next five years.

Big V got off to a disastrous start against the Redskins in Week 6 when Ryan Kerrigan gashed the rookie, recording 2.5 sacks. However, Big V improved each week while starting six games at right tackle in place of the suspended Lane Johnson.

When Jason Peters decides to hang it up, Johnson will move over to left tackle and Big V played well enough to make Roseman consider him as the right tackle of the future.

Grade: C+

7th round: Jalen Mills

Besides Carson Wentz, this may be my favorite pick by Roseman.

Mills fell to the seventh round due to character concerns coming out of LSU. Mills was nothing but a good teammate on and off the field, actually becoming a leader with Malcolm Jenkins in the secondary.

Mr. Finger Wag became a fan favorite for playing an aggressive style, making up for his lack of speed while covering some of the NFL’s best wide receivers including Antonio Brown, Odell Beckham Jr., and Julio Jones. None of whom got into the end zone against Mills.

Mills could start on the outside next season, replacing Mr. and Mrs. Burnt Toast (Leodis McKelvin and Nolan Carroll).

The fact that Roseman was able to find five potential starters in his first draft as VP of football operations, despite not having a second-round pick shows Roseman’s football knowledge may be better than expected.

Grade: A

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