Draft Analysis: NFL Draft Needs: Eagles

Evan Silva (@EvanSilva) is the Senior Football Editor for Rotoworld’s NFL Page, and Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) leads Rotoworld’s college football and NFL draft coverage. Together, they’re breaking down every team’s biggest needs and offering potential draft-day solutions.

For a breakdown on every team, check out the team-by-team draft preview schedule.

No. 1 Team Need: Cornerback

Silva’s Analysis

2015 second-round pick Eric Rowe may have a bright future, but he largely struggled across five rookie-year starts and at very least should face competition. Nolan Carroll (broken fibula) and Bills retreads Ron Brooks and Leodis McKelvin are currently the Eagles’ top options to play across from Rowe. Likely to continue playing press-man coverage in the Jim Schwartz era, the Eagles need to find a day-one starting cornerback in the draft.

No. 2 Team Need: Offensive Line

Silva’s Analysis

The Eagles’ biggest immediate need up front is left guard, where 32-year-old career backup Allen Barbre, one-year flyer Stefen Wisniewski and Andrew Gardner (Lisfranc fracture) would compete to start if training camp began today. From a longer-term standpoint, Philadelphia needs an eventual successor to Lane Johnson at right tackle. LT Jason Peters is 34 years old, and Johnson is the Eagles’ blind-side protector of the future.

No. 3 Team Need: Quarterback

Silva’s Analysis

Another consideration for Philadelphia’s No. 3 need is running back, where DeMarco Murray was traded away, Ryan Mathews blends big-time talent with deficient durability and ball security and Darren Sproles is entering his age-33 season. Quarterback, of course, is the most important position in pro sports and takes precedence with Sam Bradford‘s annual mediocrity returning and Chase Daniel probably not providing the Eagles with a long-term answer. Even with Bradford and Daniel on the roster, it would not be surprising if Philadelphia used an early draft pick on a potential franchise quarterback of the future. They’ve shown interest in both Jared Goff and Carson Wentz during the pre-draft phase.

Norris’ Mock Draft

Round 1 (8): CB Vernon Hargreaves, Florida – A very good prospect will be available at No. 8. Hargreaves might not have the height or length some teams covet at the position. However, he is well-built and the second-most athletic defensive back in the class behind Jalen Ramsey. Don’t let the handful of allowed big plays in 2015 cloud your evaluation; Hargreaves is a polished press man corner who can be aggressive on the outside.

Round 3 (77): T Le’Raven Clark, Texas Tech – Much of Clark’s tape at TTU can be thrown out. It will all be up to a position coach who trusts in his talent and demeanor and wants to transform those into a finished product.

Round 3 (79): QB Kevin Hogan, Stanford – The Eagles could obviously take a quarterback earlier than this, trading up from No. 8 or 77. If not, Hogan offers enviable backup quarterback talent, and some coaching staffs could even see starting skills thanks to his ability to win inside structure.

Round 4 (100): RB Kenyan Drake, Alabama – The Eagles are in need of a big play threat, and Drake can offer that as a runner, receiver and returner. I don’t love Drake’s consistent lack of comfort between the tackles, but he can slash through lanes and is at his best out in space.

Round 5 (153): WR Chris Moore, Cincinnati – 41 percent of Moore’s targets were 20-plus yards downfield last season, with the vast majority in the middle of the field. The Eagles could use a receiver to work in that level of the field.

Round 5 (164): LB Eric Striker, Oklahoma – Jim Schwartz helped convert Tahir Whitehead to an NFL linebacker in 2012. Striker, who played on the edge in college, will have to follow that same path. I preferred Whitehead more than Striker, but the two are similar in styles.

Round 6 (188): G Vi Teofilo, Arizona State – The Eagles have a very athletic offensive line, and added another uber-athlete in Brandon Brooks. Teofilo is a late-round prospect but one of the most athletic offensive linemen in the class.

Round 7 (233): CB LeShaun Sims, Southern Utah – Miles Killebrew receives all of the attention at Southern Utah, but Sims is a draftable prospect in his own right.

Round 7 (251): EDGE Ugonna Awuruonye, Campbell – A potential late-round edge player who might do his best work as a wide technique pass rusher.

Eagles Current Offensive Depth Chart

QB: Sam Bradford

RB: Ryan Mathews

WR: Jordan Matthews

WR: Nelson Agholor

TE: Zach Ertz

TE: Brent Celek

LT: Jason Peters

LG: Stefen Wisniewski

C: Jason Kelce

RG: Brandon Brooks

RT: Lane Johnson