This is one of the most important NFL Drafts for the Philadelphia Eagles in quite some time, as they have to figure out how to get this roster back to the Super Bowl.
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman's strategy over the last two years has been to put free agents on one-year prove-it deals while building the roster through the draft and keeping that young talent on the roster. Some Eagles fans are wondering what the team's plan will be in the NFL Draft, and The Athletic's Zach Berman shares what he thinks the team will do.
“I think in the draft they will focus so much on offense," Berman said during his appearance on 97.5 The Fanatic. "They really want to get young, inexpensive cost-control players on offense; that’s really their objective here, knowing what’s coming down the line with paying these defensive players. When it comes at the top of the depth chart, whether you want to look at it young or inexpensive, I think they are going to try and get by at safety. It may not be young it might be because Michael Carter II might be starting, or Marcus Epps might be a starter; but I don’t think there’s a big splash at safety. We’ll see what happens after the draft, and if another team adds someone and there’s a mid-price to a near expensive veteran, who is suddenly expendable, the Eagles have the ability to make a trade, but I think safety is the spot where they will try to get by. I really think the focus in the draft is going to be on offense, and add young, upside, and inexpensive offensive players”.
Eagles ready to build offense through the NFL Draft with slight concern
Philly has to start thinking about the future of the offense, as they have a lot of veterans they need to consider and backup plans for. Right tackle Lane Johnson is nearing the end of his career, while left guard Landon Dickerson is almost retired due to health issues. Wide receiver A.J. Brown is more than likely going to get traded at some point as well.
The Eagles could use their early-round draft picks on offensive tackle, wide receiver, and tight end. While those are positions that need to be addressed, there are other concerns for the team as well.
Edge rusher and safety are positions that must be addressed as well, with the departures of Jaelan Phillips and Reed Blankenship. Philly might be okay with Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith Jr. at edge rusher, but safety is a bigger issue.
It appears that all signs are pointing towards Carter and Epps competing for the starting safety job, with 2025 second-round pick Andrew Mukuba as the other starter. Epps played well late in the season after replacing Mukuba last year, but leaving that position unfilled could be an issue for the Eagles as they try to keep their stellar defense intact.
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Offense is important to address to set them up for the future, but the Eagles can't forget about their defense, as that has helped them be successful over the last two years.
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