Should 2021’s Philadelphia Eagles go with offense or defense at number 6?

Reasons that the Philadelphia Eagles might go offense with the sixth pick.

The Eagles’ offensive struggles were well-documented last year. The team ranked 26th in points per game and 25th in total yards per game. The offensive line injuries combined with poor quarterback play led to a Philadelphia offense that was quite uninspiring.

One of the biggest issues for the second year in a row was the lack of consistent wide receiver play. For about five weeks it looked as if the Eagles might have had a legitimate number one receiver in Travis Fulgham, but he disappeared just as quickly as he emerged, and with Jalen Reagor’s underwhelming rookie season, there is a valid argument that the Eagles should target a receiver with pick number six.

Enter Ja’Marr Chase and DeVonta Smith. Both Fred Biletnikoff Award Winners (given to the best receiver in college football), Chase and Smith have the ability to be a true WR1 for the Eagles, a team that hasn’t had a 1,000-yard receiver since 2014.

Not only would drafting a wide receiver make life easier for the Eagles quarterback, but it would also increase opportunities for other pass catchers like Jalen Reagor and Dallas Goedert. Drawing up plays is much easier when the offense has a receiver that can consistently create separation. No one in the locker room or coaches’ room would complain about drafting one of these two.

Of course, Smith and Chase are not the only potential draft targets on offense. If the Eagles want to target offensive linemen, Penei Sewell and Rashawn Slater are solid options at the tackle spot. Given the injuries across the offensive line and their struggles last season, the Birds may be interested in rebuilding the front five on offense.

Any fan who watched the Philadelphia Eagles last year knows that the offense was not a reason for optimism. From turnovers to three-and-outs, Carson Wentz and company simply could not move the ball down the field with consistency. Might the Eagles target a quarterback in the first round? We’ll have to see, but one thing that’s for sure is that statistically, the offense was worse than the defense in 2020.