Inside the Iggles
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Could the Philadelphia Eagles consider taking a receiver in the first round?

By Ryan Quigley

Jan 2, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Western Michigan Broncos wide receiver Corey Davis (84) in action during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers in the 2017 Cotton Bowl game at AT&T Stadium. The Badgers defeat the Broncos 24-16. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Western Michigan Broncos wide receiver Corey Davis (84) in action during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers in the 2017 Cotton Bowl game at AT&T Stadium. The Badgers defeat the Broncos 24-16. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Philadelphia Eagles may have made some high profile signings in free agency, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t taking a receiver in the first round of the draft.

The Philadelphia Eagles have done everything within their power to bolster their receiving corps this offseason. After signing wideouts Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith, the Eagles have seemingly transformed their biggest weakness into potentially one of their biggest strengths.

But, of course, just because the moves look good on paper does not mean that they will ultimately turn out to be a success. As the Eagles should be well aware, not all free agent acquisitions pan out (I’m looking at you, Nnamdi Asomugha, Byron Maxwell).

With this in mind, would it behoove the Eagles to select a wide receiver with the No. 14 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft? If the dominoes fall in the right places, absolutely.

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While the signings of Jeffery and Smith are certainly exciting, neither one of them (currently) are long-term solutions for the receiving corps. Jeffery is signed to a one-year deal and Smith is essentially signed to a series of one-year contracts through 2019. If one or even both of the receivers don’t perform at the level the Eagles are expecting in 2017, the team will be right back at square one.

After having the NFL’s worst secondary in 2016, it’s assumed the Eagles will be looking to select a cornerback rather early in the draft. However, this year’s draft is historically deep in terms of cornerback talent. The Eagles could find potential starters at corner in the second or even third round of the draft. This being the case, it wouldn’t be totally out of the question for the team to take a wideout in the first round.

Next: Ranking the Eagles’ 2017 free agent signings

The Eagles are in position to likely nab one of the top two receivers available in the first round. Both Clemson’s Mike Williams and Western Michigan’s Corey Davis are stud prospects that will succeed on day one at the next level.

According to The MMQB’s Albert Breer, Davis has already met with the Eagles for a pre-draft visit. As a senior in 2016, the 6’3″, 209-pound receiver became the all-time FBS leader in career receiving yards with 5,285 in four years.

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