The first two days of the Draft have been about a single pick for the Eagles. Their first-round pick, while exciting, was rather anticlimactic, as for an entire week it was evident the Eagles were going quarterback with the second overall pick, and they did, selecting Carson Wentz.
Day 2 featured more of a guessing game about where the Eagles would go, but they had just one pick over the next two rounds of the Draft. So while other teams were very busy on Day 2, the Eagles were a one-and-done team, selecting offensive lineman Isaac Seumalo.
Both picks made sense given the situation. The Eagles clearly have wanted the quarterback prospect for some time and in the third, they really needed to address a position of need. The offensive line certainly qualifies.
So with one day remaining in the NFL Draft, the Eagles turn their focus to filling out the roster. They have needs at other positions and can look to select a player with high potential in a later round that could become a solid depth prospect or a potential steal.
Here’s a look at the positions the Eagles could address and the options available on the board as we enter Day 3.
Running Back
We profiled this yesterday, and there is one simple explanation for why the Eagles didn’t take a running back in the third round. No one else was. Through three rounds of the Draft, just four running backs have been taken and only one of them was actually featured in yesterday’s preview – C.J. Prosise, who was taken 90th overall by the Seattle Seahawks.
As Day 3 begins, names we featured yesterday such as Kenneth Dixon, Paul Perkins and Alex Collins are still on the board, as are names we thought may not be there by the middle of the third round like Jordan Howard and Devontae Booker.
There are options all over the place at this position, so once the Eagles are up in the fifth round, expect them to look over the board and see what kind of value is left.
Linebacker
The Eagles really need to shore up several defensive positions in the later rounds. Linebacker wasn’t a pressing need from a starting standpoint, but then again, who saw Jordan Hicks emerging as a potential after falling to the third round last year?
Just two linebackers were drafted on Day 1 in the first round, but seven went on Day 2 in Rounds 2 and 3.
A few names to keep an eye out for: Antonio Morrison from Florida, Stephen Weatherly from Vanderbilt, Aaron Wallace from UCLA, Joshua Perry from Ohio State, Dominique Alexander from Oklahoma and Joe Schobert from Wisconsin.
The sleeper in this, pending on how late the Eagles decide to address this need, is Temple linebacker Tyler Matakevich. Having Philly roots could make him a prime target in the sixth or seventh round, but if the Eagles want to target this early, look for one of the above names, or even better pending what’s on the board.
Defensive Line
It really has been a Draft rich in defensive line talent. Seven defensive linemen were taken in the first round, and 19 more were taken in Rounds 2 and 3, a total of 26 over the first two days. And there are still many quality prospects left on the board like Andrew Billings, Willie Henry and Sheldon Day.
Two names in particular to watch for are Ronald Blair, the defensive end out of Appalachian State, and D.J. Reader, the nose tackle out of Clemson. Pending on how late the Eagles decide to address this position, Maryland’s Quinton Jefferson is also an intriguing name a ways down the board but certainly with potential in a late round.
Cornerback
This is not a position of dire need for the Eagles, who selected three cornerbacks in last year’s Draft, but there are some interesting names still on the board that could be too good to pass up as Day 3 progresses. Two of those names sit near the top of the board entering Day 3: Temple’s Tavon Young and LSU’s Rashard Robinson.
If we’re being more realistic about potential cornerback prospects for the Eagles, look towards Virginia’s Maurice Canady, Colorado’s Ken Crawley or USC’s Kevon Seymour.
Wide Receiver
The Eagles drafted Jordan Matthews in the second round in 2014 and Nelson Agholor in the first round in 2015, so they did not have a need there early like other teams did. A lot of other teams in fact, as four receivers were taken on Day 1 and five more were taken on Day 2.
Charone Peake is the top name left on the board, but almost certainly won’t be around when the Eagles next pick. But two names sitting close to the top that should be watched are Demarcus Robinson from Florida and Kenny Lawler from California. As we go further down the board and into the later rounds, Temple’s Robby Anderson is an option and D.J. Foster is a name we’ve thrown out there before because the Arizona State prospect is a dual threat having played both running back and wide receiver.
Offensive Line
There is always a chance the Eagles dive back into the offensive line pool and bolster the line even further.
One player who is still on the board is Arizona State guard Christian Westerman, who we had as a third-round option for the Eagles. They opted for Seumalo at 79 instead.
Joe Dahl is an attractive name still on the board into Day 3 that we’ve said deserves consideration and as the day rolls along, the longer players like Sebastian Tretola and Willie Beavers stay on the board, the more likely you will be to see the Eagles try to steal another offensive line prospect.
As the late rounds hit, there are more linemen on the board the Eagles should consider. Alex Redmond, Fahn Cooper and Spencer Drango are worth keeping an eye on throughout the day.
The Eagles have five picks on Day 3. Their first comes in the fifth round at 153rd overall, the 55th pick of the day, and is quickly followed by the 164th overall pick.
They are back on the clock in the sixth round with the 188th overall pick. Finally, the Eagles close out the Draft by selecting twice in the seventh round with the 233rd and 251st overall picks.
Kevin Durso is managing editor for Eagledelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.
