When the Eagles used Day 1 to trade down then select defense, everyone knew a receiver was coming on Day 2. And the Eagles did just that.
What we didn't know was that the Eagles would take three picks, turn them into two and select two wide receivers on the second day of the Draft.
The Eagles selected wide receivers Jordan Matthews and Josh Huff on Friday, adding two new names to the offense. Both picks were for different reasons and had very different scouting reports. And the results of Day 2 for the Eagles were very different as well.
The Eagles could not have made a better move in the second round than they did trading up to pick 42 to select Jordan Matthews. After letting Marqise Lee slip through their grasp in the first round, the Eagles jumped at the chance to get Matthews.
Matthews was one of the Top-5 wide receivers on the board and given Lee's injury risk, probably a safer pick for the Eagles. And the Eagles were lucky to see him at 42 in the second round. Simply put, the Eagles drafted a stud receiver that will definitely pay dividends in the short term and has the potential to be a long-term success.
“It’s definitely going to be a little bit different than my time at Vanderbilt,” Matthews said. “But like I said, I’m gonna go in, just be the best teammate I can be. I want to definitely earn the respect of those guys. I’m going to go in, shut my mouth and do my work.”
“One of the things they said is that he’s the most competitive guy that they've ever been around in terms of his confidence and his work ethic,” head coach Chip Kelly said. "If you look at the resume, he's 6'3", 217 pounds, runs 4.46, there are not a lot of holes there. So you're going to get a guy that's going to give you everything he's got, and we're really excited to have him."
As pick 83 neared, it looked like the Eagles had a chance for another steal. Louis Nix III was still on the board as the Draft entered the 80s. But the Eagles traded out of the 83rd pick to acquire two more picks.
There is nothing wrong with obtaining more picks in a draft that is deep with talent. But the Eagles pick at 86 was baffling considering the players on the board at both 83 and 86.
When the Eagles traded pick 83 to the Texans and Houston selected Nix, the Eagles missed out on a big steal. Keeping pick 83, selecting Nix and following up at 86 with receiver Josh Huff would have been a very successful night for the Eagles. That would have completely filled the need of acquiring pass rushers and receivers.
But the Eagles now have one pass rusher – which they arguably took too early – and two wide receivers, including one they also probably took too early.
Huff was going to be on the board tomorrow and late in the afternoon tomorrow, probably in the fifth round. But Chip Kelly told Huff the Eagles would be calling in Round 3. And they did.
“We’re following exactly the way [the board] was,” Kelly said. “It’s staring you in the face. He was the highest-ranked guy we had. You just keep picking the names off the board and look up, who’s the highest-ranked guy?
“Obviously, I know him extremely well. Outstanding young man, great position versatility. He’s a physical football player, a shade under six feet, he can run, he’s got a nasty presence about him. Really excited to see if we can add him to the group.”
Huff certainly has the right attitude toward the selection. He was thrilled to be reunited with his college coach. Now he wants to make the Philly fan base believe he wasn't brought here solely for the coach.
“Go in and prove myself and prove that the reason he drafted me isn’t just because I played for him,” Huff said.
But playing for Kelly will help make for an easier transition for the newest Eagles receiver.
“It’s lovely to be reunited with him,” Huff said. “When I saw that 215 come up on my phone, I started to cry. It’s a dream come true for me. Can’t wait to get out there and come to work.”
After the selection of Matthews, Huff wasn't exactly what fans were looking for out of Kelly and the Eagles. Perhaps Kelly knows best.
If there was anything learned from the first two days of the draft, it's that Chip is definitely in charge and there is no doubt any longer. For his sake, let's hope he's right.
Kevin Durso is a contributor for Eagledelphia. Follow him on twitter @KDursoPhilsNet.
