Courtesy: USA Today
While Chip Kelly and the Philadelphia Eagles try desperately to move up to acquire Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, they do not have the resources to do so. It simply would cost too much in draft pick assets over the next couple years, especially without a second round pick in 2016 (sent to St. Louis apart of the Sam Bradford trade).
The goal then becomes filling their biggest holes at offensive line, wide receiver, outside linebacker and defensive back. Chip Kelly has proven his willingness to trade to acquire players that fit his system and will continue to do so in the draft. He also has looked for prospects in the past two years that he is familiar with, specifically coming from the Pac-12 and players he once recruited. Expect a lot of action from the Philadelphia Eagles war room.
TRADES
New England Patriots Patriots Receive: Eagles 1st Round Pick (26)
Philadelphia Eagles Receive: Patriots 1st Round Pick (32), 2nd Round Pick (94), 6th Round Pick (177)
The Patriots have extra early round picks, with two 3rd and two 4th rounders, making this move less drastic for a team in desperate need of a shut down corner. They move up ahead of other corner needy teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers, Arizona Cardinals, Detroit Lions and Baltimore Ravens to take the most talented defensive back in the draft in Marcus Peters.
While the Eagles attempts to move up in the draft for Marcus Mariota come up short, so they move back to add extra early round picks. With the addition of another second round pick they can maneuver to fill their holes with NFL ready prospects.
Baltimore Ravens Receive: CB Brandon Boykin
Philadelphia Eagles Receive: Ravens 3rd Round Pick (90), Conditional 2016 5th Round Pick
Courtesy: Bleacher Report
As another team with extra picks in the draft, they will be looking to make trades to find players that could help immediately. Boykin has a lot of upside and fits the mold of corner for the Baltimore Ravens. Though they are cap strapped, they will get Boykin on the cheap, as he is still on his rookie contract. He is a player that is young and could start or slide into the Nickel and help on special teams. They fill one of their biggest needs with a proven commodity that should excel in their system.
Though the Philadelphia Eagles need to improve their defensive backfield, they do not seem eager to resign Boykin. They replace him with another early round pick, giving them flexibility for other draft day trades.
Cleveland Browns Receive: Eagles 3rd Round Pick (84), 3rd Round Pick (90-From Ravens), 5th Round Pick (156)
Philadelphia Eagles Receive: Browns 2nd Round Pick (43)
The Cleveland Browns have many holes and could use extra picks to fill out their roster. Adding two 3rd rounders could find them two contributors for the 2015 season. Especially with two first round picks, they could deem a trade out of the second round as expendable to add more depth.
After all their moves, the Philadelphia Eagles have enough assets to got after an impact player. This would give them three picks in the second round to fill in their biggest needs, with prospects that can contribute right away.
DRAFT
Courtesy: CBS Sports
1 (32): Jake Fisher (OT Oregon)
After moving down twelve spots in the first round, the Philadelphia Eagles fill arguably their biggest need on offense. Chip Kelly is clearly familiar with Fisher and he athletically fits into their zone-blocking scheme. Though he will step in right away as Todd Herremans replacement at starting right guard, he could eventually slide outside to tackle. With Jason Peters aging, the Philadelphia Eagles will eventually have to move Lane Johnson to the blind-side, opening a spot for Fisher at right tackle.
Courtesy: CBS Sports
2 (43): Phillip Dorsett (WR Miami)
The Philadelphia Eagles desperately need a deep threat in their offense, with the departures of DeSean Jackson in 2014 and Jeremy Maclin this offseason. Dorsett is not only the fastest wide out in the draft, but is explosive with the ball in his hands. He will stretch the field, opening things up underneath and in the running game. Dorsett will also be a threat with their screen passes in space.
Courtesy: ESPN.com
2 (52): Hau’oli Kikaha (OLB Washington)
Even with the return of Brandon Graham and the presence of Connor Barwin on the outside, the Philadelphia Eagles need to find more edge rushers. 2014 first round pick Marcus Smith III is still an unknown project and saw almost no action last season. Kikaha has a knack for getting after the quarterback, who led the Pac-12 in sacks the past two seasons.
Courtesy: Rant Sports
2 (64): Damarious Randall (S Arizona State)
The Philadelphia Eagles need to find a starter next to Malcolm Jenkins at safety. They look for players on they back end that can excel in coverage, while being a willing tackler in space. Randall is not big for the position, but makes up for it by seeking out contact. He has great instincts and speed, which helps him in causing turnovers. Randall is a team-first player, with great work ethic, that will fit perfectly in Chip Kelly’s training program.
Courtesy: CBS Sports
4 (113): Alex Carter (CB Stanford)
Chip Kelly wants his cornerbacks to fit an ideal profile of 200lbs. and over six feet tall. Carter not only has those measurables, but is another physical defensive back which the Philadelphia Eagles sorely need. He is a tough player that could project to a starter in the future, with good ball skills and a strong tackler. Chip Kelly likes to draft prospects that his is familiar with and Carter is another Pac-12 player.
Courtesy: CBS Sports
5 (145): Bryan Bennett (QB Southeastern Louisiana)
Bennett was another Oregon Duck, even if it was momentarily, that fits the Philadelphia Eagles offense. With some grooming under Chip Kelly, there is potential for him to take over as a starting quarterback down the road. This pick is a project but could pay dividends in the future. He has similar tools to Marcus Mariota (and was beat out for the starting job under Chip Kelly) that can bloom in a spread style offense.
Courtesy: Zimbio
6 (177): Antwan Goodley (WR Baylor)
As the Philadelphia Eagles continue to rebuild their receiving unit, they are looking for players that are good in space. Goodley is built like a running back and has good deep speed. He played in a similar offense to the Philadelphia Eagles in college at Baylor University, making his transition to the NFL easier. He can be lined up all over the field, as well as help on special teams, especially as a return man.
Courtesy: Fox Sports
6 (196): Max Garcia (OL Florida)
This is a depth pick that provides a true backup center to Jason Kelce. Garcia could also slide to guard in the future and has good athletic ability to thrive in a zone-blocking scheme. Adding another young, versatile lineman into the mix makes sense for an aging unit.
Courtesy: USA Today
7 (237): Nick Marshall (DB Auburn)
The Philadelphia Eagles under Chip Kelly have looked for athletes that can develop in their program. As a quarterback at Auburn, Marshall proved to be a team leader, taking the Tigers to the National Championship game in his junior season. Converting back to the defense will take time, but he has the size and speed to give a chance as a late round.
UNDRAFTED FREE AGENT SIGNINGS
DeAndre Smelter (WR Georgia Tech), Hamani Stevens (OG Oregon), Kenny Hilliard (RB LSU), Joe Okafor (DL Lamar), Andrew Hudson (OLB Washington), Steve Edmond (ILB Texas)
DEPTH CHART
QB: Bradford, Sanchez, Bennett
RB: Murray, R. Matthews, Sproles, Polk
WR1: Matthews, Dorsett
WR2: Cooper, Huff
Slot: Austin, Goodley
TE: Ertz, Celek, Burton
LT: Peters, Barbre
LG: Mathis, Gardner
C: Kelce, Garcia
RG: Fischer, Kelly
RT: Johnson
LE: Cox, Bair
NT: Logan, Allen
RE: Thornton, Curry
OLB: Barwin, Smith III, Braman
ILB: Kendricks, Jones
ILB: Alonso, Ryans
OLB: Graham, Kikaha
CB1: Maxwell, Carter
CB2: Carroll, Watkins
NICKEL: Thurmond III, Biggers
FS: Jenkins, Maragos
SS: Randall, Wolff
LS: Dorenbos
K: Parkey
P: D. Jones
FREE AGENT SIGNING, ROOKIE DRAFT PICK, ACQUIRED VIA TRADE
PRACTICE SQUAD
DL Taylor Hart, S Ed Reynolds, WR DeAndre Smelter, DB Nick Marshall, G Hamani Stevens, ILB Steve Edmond
ROSTER NOTES
*Tim Tebow and Matt Barkley are both cut in training camp.
*Seji Arijotutu is cut at the end of training camp.
*Several special teams aces are kept on the gameday roster including: Trey Burton, Bryan Braman, Brad Jones and Chris Maragos.
*Mychal Kendricks, although starting on the inside, plays a significant role as an outside linebacker as well.
*Weekly inactives will include Bryan Bennett, Chris Polk, Dennis Kelly, Andrew Gardner, Antwan Goodley, E.J. Biggers and Earl Wolff on a regular basis.
