The Philadelphia Eagles made a huge statement to the NFL in focusing three of their six 2015 NFL draft picks upon the cornerback position. While the argument could be made that there is an opportunity to coach any of these prospects up as a safety, for now, we'll settle them into the cornerback position. Before the NFL draft, the Eagles only had Byron Maxwell and Jaylen Watkins contracted at cornerback beyond 2015. And as the Eagles learned, the cornerback position is awfully expensive to fill in free agency. On the Eagles roster at cornerback for 2015 only includes Brandon Boykin, Walter Thurmond, Nolan Carroll, and EJ Biggers. So it's no surprise that the Eagles felt the same urgency that I felt, and selected Utah cornerback Eric Rowe, Kansas cornerback JaCorey Shepherd, and Kansas State cornerback Randall Evans. In Eric Rowe, the Eagles get a cornerback who is long, skilled and ready to compete for a starting role. If that does not happen, look for his season to progress with increasing playing time.
Check out the full writeup about Rowe here: Eric Rowe Writeup
It was quiet on the defensive back front until the sixth round, when the Eagles once more dove into the defensive backfield: this time they selected a pair of cornerbacks in Kansas cornerback JaCorey Shepherd and Kansas State University cornerback in Randall Evans.
But the Philadelphia Eagles have not addressed a number of positions and areas where the need for talent infusion remains now past the draft. With the end of the draft, the Philadelphia Eagles now have 74 players signed or obligated to their roster. That leaves a tall order of sixteen undrafted free agents remaining to be signed. How should that distribution work?
(3) Well, the team failed to fill any offensive line needs in the draft, and despite depth had also cut longtime offensive lineman Todd Herremans. Talent remains in undrafted free agency, and the Philadelphia Eagles have had success in getting talent from those ranks. Look for the team to commit no less than three signings to offensive linemen after the draft.
#Eagles already added THREE priority undrafted free agents at OL
— Jimm Starkk (@Jimm_Starkk) May 2, 2015
Proud to announce I'm going to be a Philadelphia Eagle!
— Cole Manhart (@Cole_Manhart64) May 2, 2015
UNLV OL Brett Boyko to the #Eagles, per source
— Ross Jones (@RossJonesFOX) May 2, 2015
Source – #UNH OL Mike Coccia among the #Eagles undrafted free agent signings.
— Matt Lombardo (@MattLombardo975) May 2, 2015
(5) Despite nine wide receivers on the roster, look for the team to add a minimum of two more. The Eagles receivers are in good shape with the addition of Nelson Agholor, but they will need to add depth and perhaps additional special teams players.
#Longhorns WR John Harris to #Eagles as UDFA per source. GREAT opportunity! #HookEm
— Alex Dunlap (@AlexDunlapNFL) May 2, 2015
(7) With the exodus of TE James Casey, the Eagles offense will be looking to add a pair of tight ends in this draft.
So happy to be apart of The Philadelphia Eagles. Couldn't have done it without the support of my friends and family and @Michigan_State
— Andrew Gleichert (@AndrewGleichert) May 2, 2015
The training camp reps are sufficient to get a solid look and prospects, and the successful one will likely be stashed on the practice squad.
(9) In a similar fashion, the Eagles rescinding of a minimal offer to running back Chris Polk and opened the door to a minimum of two UDFA running back signings. While the roster is deep, the Eagles will surely look to find quality to stash on the practice squad this year as well.
(10) The Eagles have a six pack of quarterbacks on the team, but with new quarterback coach Ryan Day in the office, that number may not be enough. Look for the Eagles to add a quarterback with some read option or spread offense background.
(12) With a solid defensive line that is very young, the Eagles know that they expiration of contracts will make it difficult to retain the likes of everyone. And so, now is the time to find and secure the next wave of defensive line stars on this team. Look for the Eagles to load up a minimum of two defensive linemen as UDFAs.
(13) Can the Eagles have too many linebackers? That's a debate that you will lose if you say no. The Eagles will continue to pile them on. Chip Kelly and Billy Davis love linebackers in this defense. Look for a minimum of one more in UDFA.
(15) Despite the addition of three solid defensive back candidates, the Eagles will likely continue to shop for a minimum of two more. Look for the team to target at least one pure free safety, while seeking versatility in the second UDFA signing.
(17) And finally, the Eagles will simply add the best players available.
It's a long shopping list, but Chip Kelly is a blur on more than offense. The roster will fill quickly.
