The Perfect Pick
14 April 2020 DRAFT
The Perfect Pick
The Philadelphia Eagles currently hold pick No. 21 in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Like every other team, the Eagles have three options: trade up, trade down or stay put. The team is in an awkward position this draft given that some targets linked to the team have been mocked by analysts to be selected within the top 15 picks. Alternatively, there a plenty of Day 2 prospects that the Eagles could target if they traded down and acquired more picks. When deciding on what the perfect pick is for the Eagles, one must analyze the team’s needs, impact potential and overall fit with the team.
In the team’s current state, these positions (listed in alphabetical order) are one’s that need to be addressed whether it be in terms of depth or pure need of talent at the position: defensive end/pass rush, interior offensive line, linebacker, safety, wide receiver. All five of the listed positions could realistically be targeted with the Eagles first round pick. Names like DE A.J. Epenesa, OL Cesar Ruiz, LB Patrick Queen, S Grant Delpit and WR Justin Jefferson have been linked to all be available when the Eagles pick at No. 21. But will they want to stick with where they are at or decide to move up for a potential top-tier prospect?
The main desire for the organization (and quite frankly the fans as well) is a player who will become an immediate impact player for the team who could potentially become a starting caliber player in his first year. The most lackluster positional groups in 2019 were wide receiver and cornerback. The Eagles addressed the latter by trading for Darius Slay. Now, fans are wondering if the Eagles will address the wide receiver position by trading up or potentially trading down to acquire multiple wide receivers out of the upcoming draft. On the other side of the ball, the releases of Malcolm Jenkins and Nigel Bradham have put holes at the safety and linebacker positions and Brandon Graham will not be in Philadelphia forever.
It has always been a staple in the Eagles locker room to have dominant offensive and defensive lines. Games are won in the trenches and the Eagles have done an excellent job with finding talent and building Top-10 lines in the past couple of years. Finding an heir to the center position once Jason Kelce retires would be important to do consider, although many would not find it to be the “sexy” pick.
The easy answer to what the perfect pick for the Eagles would be is to say best player available. That’s easy enough to say when you’re waiting for your turn to pick. The Eagles’ perfect pick will be a player that they need to be proactive to acquire—someone who is a day one impact player who will be able to contribute right away in the starting lineup. The draft is always a gamble but trading up for Wentz worked out pretty well. The consensus top wide receivers include CeeDee Lamb, Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III. If the Eagles find that one of those three receivers are what they want to pair with Wentz and company, there should be no hesitation. Move up and put one of them in an Eagles uniform.