PASS
Traditionally, speed receivers selected in the first round haven’t always panned out. Corey Coleman, John Ross, Phillip Dorsett, Breshad Perriman, Tavon Austin- just to name a few- all fizzled out in the NFL after lighting it up at the collegiate level. While size isn’t an automatic handicap, it certainly plays a part in the longevity of a professional athlete. Brown, on the surface, could be the next in a long line of small receivers to fall short of expectation in the pros. Additionally, with the Eagles in win-now mode, now isn’t the best time to start experimenting in the first round and risk drafting a player who may not be able to contribute year in and year out.
Philly may be better served playing it safe and drafting a player with a relatively high floor, as opposed to swinging for the fences with Brown. There won’t be a shortage of talent available at 25 either, so it’s not like they’d be choosing between the almighty Brown or some bottom of the barrel prospect.
Also, even though the Eagles don’t have many roster holes to fill, doesn’t mean they should commit to making luxury picks. Drafting an heir at left tackle or adding another pass-rusher to the defensive end rotation should be in heavy consideration when the Birds are on the clock and would eliminate long-term needs at the position.
