With two weeks left in the regular season, it’s becoming increasingly likely that the Eagles will be selecting in the top ten come next year’s NFL Draft.
A win versus Dallas would put them at 5-9-1 and possibly land them a pick between 9-13. A loss would put them at 4-10-1 and, depending on the results of the Texans, Falcons, Panthers, and Bengals games, a possible top-five pick.
I might be getting ahead of myself with this article, as I may jinx this team into winning the division at 6-9-1 (nice) and have a pick in the 19-32 range depending on the playoffs.
For the sake of this article, let’s say they stay at 7 at the conclusion of the season. The top ten draft order is currently:
- Jags
- Jets
- Bengals
- Panthers
- Falcons
- Dolphins (via Texans)
- Eagles
- Cowboys
- Chargers
- Giants
Could some free agency moves/trades affect how the top six draft, thus changing the Eagles plans at 7? Let’s take a look.
1. Jags do the thing
There’s no question on this pick. Trevor Lawrence will be throwing to Chark, Shenault, and Cole, and handing the ball off to James Robinson. That’s a fun offense.
2. Jets
Jets fans around the world definitely uttered that phrase when the team upset the Rams on Sunday, taking them out of the Trevor Lawrence race.
Could they still take a quarterback at number two? How about repairing one of the worst offensive lines in the league?
Penei Sewell is regarded as the best left tackle prospect since Joe Thomas. They took Mekhi Becton in the 2020 draft to try to solidify the left side, but what if they decide to move him to the right side and have Sewell at the blindside for potentially a decade?
If the Jets take Sewell, that immediately shakes up the draft. The next team would be licking at the chops to draft him, so what do they do if Sewell is taken?
3. Bengals
With their dream pick off the board, what do the Bengals do at three?
The easy answer is select Joe Burrow’s favorite weapon from LSU: WR Ja’Marr Chase.
In 2019, Chase put up 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns with Joe Burrow as his QB. Chase hasn’t played in 2020, opting to focus on turning pro.
A Bengals offense featuring Burrow, Mixon, Chase, Higgins, and Boyd would be extremely dangerous in an all of a sudden wide-open AFC North.
Chase going this high is a nightmare scenario for the Eagles. He is sorely needed in the Eagles WR corps and could unlock a whole new offense with whomever is at QB.
With the Bengals intent on keeping Burrow healthy, as he’s recovering from a torn ACL and MCL suffered in week 11, maybe the Eagles can dangle a former first-round left tackle to the Bengals?
Realistic if Jets take Sewell: Bengals take Chase
Bold if Jets take Sewell: Eagles trade Andre Dillard plus 7th overall pick (probably a mid-2022 pick also) to Bengals for 3rd overall pick to select Chase
4. Panthers
The Panthers have missed their star running back for most of the season, leading to a plummeting record of 4-10. Although they were 0-3 when McCaffrey played this season, he was still sorely missed in the other 11 games.
With Bridgewater most likely not being the long term answer in Carolina, could the Panthers look at Justin Fields at this spot? The defense still needs a stud linebacker and corner, so Parsons and Surtain are definite possibilities here. But in a quarterback-driven league, Fields will most likely be the pick here. Which pushes down impact defensive players to the Eagles.
5. Falcons
The end of Matt Ryan’s career seems to be coming up quickly, so the Falcons could look to get his replacement here. But a below-average defensive line isn’t going to cut it in the NFC South. With Tom Brady and Drew Brees also nearly their ends in the NFL, I fully expect the Falcons to try and maximize Ryan’s time left and draft Gregory Rousseau to be an anchor on that defensive line.
6. Dolphins
Now, this is where it gets interesting. If the board falls like it does above, not including my bold Eagles trade, then the Dolphins have an intriguing choice to make. If you do not remember, the Dolphins received this pick in the Tunsil trade to Houston. Houston is still bad.
With Tua Tagovailoa entrenched as the starter in 2021, and a glaring need at wide receiver opposite Devante Parker, the Dolphins could mimic the Bengals and select one of Tua’s running mates in Alabama.
With Devonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle on the board, the Dolphins have options. However their rush defense has been poor, a linebacker like Parsons could do wonders for that defense.
I think the Dolphins go with Waddle here and add to a very surprising AFC East contender.
7. Eagles
With the above board falling the way it did, the Eagles are left with a multitude of options at 7:
- LB Micah Parsons
- CB Patrick Surtain
- CB Caleb Farley
- WR Devonta Smith
- EDGE Kwity Paye
With the Giants looming behind them looking for WR help, the Cowboys couldn’t.. could they?, should the Eagles risk trading back and accumulate more picks for a potential rebuild? Do they stand pat and FINALLY draft an impact linebacker? What would you do?
Photo by Todd Kirkland/Icon Sportswire
