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Philadelphia Eagles Draft Recap: Day 2

By Jordan Sutton

December 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Washington Huskies defensive back Sidney Jones (26) before the Pac-12 championship against the Colorado Buffaloes at Levi's Stadium. The Huskies defeated the Buffaloes 41-10. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
December 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Washington Huskies defensive back Sidney Jones (26) before the Pac-12 championship against the Colorado Buffaloes at Levi's Stadium. The Huskies defeated the Buffaloes 41-10. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Draft Recap: Day 2 of the 2017 NFL Draft has come and gone. Let’s take a look who the Philadelphia Eagles selected, and how they will help moving forward.

The Philadelphia Eagles had two picks on the second day of the 2017 NFL Draft (43, 99). With those two picks, they selected two players at their biggest position of need—cornerback.

Given the immediate need and depth of the position this year, these two picks should give the Eagles two players who will be able to contribute immediately. Now, let’s take a look at the newest members of the team!

Sidney Jones, CB, Washington (Round 2, Pick 43)

Anytime you can grab a top 10 talent in the second round, you do it. That is exactly what the Eagles did with this pick. Had it not been for an Achilles injury on his pro day, Jones would have heard his name called on Thursday. With this selection, the Eagles get a player who many believed was the most pure cover corner in the draft. Given the struggles the team had last year covering the deep ball, this pick should pay off as soon as he steps on the field.

The big question however, is when he will step on the field. The Eagles have already said that they will not rush him back. Jones believes that he will be able to play this season as evidenced by the below tweet.

https://twitter.com/SidneyJonesIV/status/844247364307238912

Either way, I think this is a great pick, even if you view it as an investment. If, for some reason Jones is not able to play this year, he will get a full year in an NFL rehab and strength program. He will be able to ensure that he is completely healthy, and add some more to his frame so he can take on bigger NFL receivers. If he is able to play, then the Eagles get an instant impact player, 33 picks after he was supposed to be drafted. I’m cool with either.

Rasul Douglas, CB, West Virginia (Round 3, Pick 99)

With the second pick of the day the Eagles drafted Ra’s al ghul, leader of the League of Shadows (Batman fans get it). But seriously, I’m a big fan of Douglas. I actually had him has a mid-round target for the Eagles in an earlier post, which you can see here.

Oct 1, 2016; Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers cornerback Rasul Douglas (13) reacts after making a tackle during the first quarter against the Kansas State Wildcats at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers cornerback Rasul Douglas (13) reacts after making a tackle during the first quarter against the Kansas State Wildcats at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /

Douglas is a big corner that had crazy production at West Virginia last year. He had 70 total tackles to go along with his NCAA leading eight interceptions. His size will allow him to get physical with the elite wide receivers in the NFL. As with anyone coming to the league, his technique will need to be refined, but he is a proven playmaker who will help right away. Given that the Eagles will have to face players like Dez Bryant, Odell Beckham Jr., and Terrelle Pryor Sr. twice a year, this is another great pick.

Through the first two days of the draft, the Philadelphia Eagles have done a great job of addressing immediate needs. They were able to draft an elite pass rusher in the first round and sure up the secondary in rounds two and three. As a team, rounds 4-7 are where you really make your money. There is still a lot of talent to be had, who will be that diamond in the rough?

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