The Eagles should absolutely select Bijan Robinson at 10th overall

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Eagles
AUSTIN, TX – NOVEMBER 25: Texas running back Bijan Robinson (5) scores a touchdown during the game against the Baylor Bears on November 25, 2022, at Darrell K Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX. (Photo by Adam Davis/Icon Sportswire)

The Eagles are in a unique position for a team that just finished playing in the Super Bowl. After having a very successful free agency period, the Eagles are now entering a crucial part of their offseason. They were able to retain key pieces and replace some of their losses with players that willingly signed one-year prove-it deals.

With the high waves of Free Agency now behind us, the Eagles will now focus on the draft. Oddly enough they’re positioned very well to land key players that can help shape their future. Unfortunately, that may not be how this story ends.

Philadelphia has only 6 picks in this year’s draft with four of them coming from rounds 1-3. The Eagles have two first-round picks which are the 10th overall pick and the 31st overall pick. The questions looming around those picks are very intriguing, to say the least. 

Many people are trying to put together a perfect prediction based on the Eagles’ tendencies. But if the last couple of years has taught us anything it is that you can’t predict what the Eagles and Howie Roseman are going to do. For example, Jalen Hurts and DeVonta Smith. In addition to the trade for A.J. Brown. Here are my thoughts on what Philly should do with their picks and why it makes sense to do so. 

Overpower the offense?

A lot of folks are focusing on the fact that the Eagles haven’t drafted a RB in the first round since 1986. I understand that and sometimes history truly is the best teacher but this Eagles regime is different. 

We once thought that the Eagles would not draft a WR in the first round in back-to-back drafts, but they did. They took Jalen Reagor then went agreed and traded up for DeVonta Smith.

Eagles
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 26: Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) celebrates a first down during the game between the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles on December 26, 2021 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire)

Nobody thought that the Eagles valued the Linebacker position enough to truly invest in it and then last season they drafted Nakobe Dean in the third round

Let’s not forget that these are the same Eagles that drafted Jalen Hurts in the second round after extending Carson Wentz. The Draft can be unpredictable and sometimes history can also indicate that as I just did.

Drafting Bijan Robinson at 10th overall isn’t the smartest move but it could be the right move. It’s no secret that the Eagles lost very key parts to their defense and Jalen Carter may not be there when the clock starts for Philadelphia. Adding a player like Robinson is essential to getting back to the Super Bowl even with a weaker defense.

Bijan, Eagles, first round?? 

It makes sense when you put Jalen Hurts at the forefront of it. Hurts is likely to be extended this offseason to a record number that will keep him in Philly for the duration of his career. When that happens, you will need to give him everything he needs to compete.

Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) throws a pass as New York Giants linebacker Jihad Ward (55) tries to rush in on him during the first half of an NFL divisional round playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Enter Bijan Robinson. If you extend Hurts for 7-10 years after drafting Bijan Robinson then that means you have Bijan for the next 5 years. Having Hurts and Robinson together for 5 years along with A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith gives you an offense that will be as consistent as they come.

It also lightens the load for you Jalen in the RPO. You can have a balanced attack with a player like Robinson taking the bulk of the opportunities. It’ll also keep defenses honest.

What about the defense?

Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles cornerback James Bradberry (24) scores on a 27-yard interception for a touchdown against the Detroit Lions in the first half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Lon Horwedel)

If you build a powerful offense then this means that they will overcompensate for their defense. Let’s be honest, we don’t know what the defense will be able to do this season. There are too many question marks and there are a lot of young guys that will have to step up. 

That doesn’t give anyone comfort. But if you had an offense that can out-play and out-score any other team then you have a winning formula for the time being. This gives Howie the time needed to reconstruct this defense with the vision that Sean Desai has

You can rush a great product but you can buy it time by adding to your strengths. That strength is the Eagles’ offense. The consistency that will be there will only be amplified by the addition of a player like Bijan. Whether it’s at 10 or not, adding this generational prospect to a team that needs his abilities will all but guarantee a return to the Super Bowl. More importantly, it makes Jalen Hurts more dangerous than ever.

Photo by Adam Davis/Icon Sportswire