The big news out of the NFL on Thursday morning was about a draft pick that won't be made for another two weeks. But when the NFL Draft opens two weeks from now on April 28, a new team will be picking first.
It is not the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Los Angeles Rams dealt their first-round picks in 2016 and 2017, both second round picks in 2016 and their third-round picks in 2016 and 2017 to acquire the top overall pick of the 2016 NFL Draft from the Tennessee Titans. In addition, the Rams acquired the Titans fourth and sixth-round picks in the 2016 Draft.
So in case you were wondering, this was the price of the top pick, one the Eagles couldn't afford due to their lack of a second-round pick this season. That second-round pick belonged to the Rams, who used it to make the move the Eagles shouldn't have considered making in the first place.
In reality, the Eagles, and more importantly Chip Kelly, saved the Eagles from themselves. The temptation was there with Kelly and long after his departure in December. The Eagles wanted a franchise quarterback to build around and seemed to hire according to that premise. They have worked out every quarterback in the draft essentially, leaving no stone unturned.
That said, the likelihood that they are able to select one of Carson Wentz or Jared Goff, the top two quarterback prospects in the Draft, has virtually disappeared. The Rams have a clear need at quarterback. The Cleveland Browns, selecting second overall, will also likely take a quarterback.
Now the Draft strategy changes for Howie Roseman, Doug Pederson and the Eagles, likely for the better. They have a greater need on the offensive line, at cornerback, at linebacker, even at the running back position. That makes the eighth overall pick almost the perfect spot for the Eagles.
If two quarterbacks come off the board in the first two selections, only five picks separate the Eagles from one of the top prospects at another position.
On the offensive line, that could be Notre Dame tackle Ronnie Stanley. In the secondary, it could be Florida cornerback Vernon Hargreaves. At linebacker, it could be UCLA's Myles Jack. At running back, it could be Ohio State's Ezekiel Elliott.
The Eagles have been linked to all four players, which likely means that so long as one of them gets passed by in the five picks following the Rams and Browns, the Eagles will get a strong talent at a position of need.
And even if that's what they should have done to begin with, the temptation remains. It's early. There are two weeks and the entire Draft day left to potentially swing a deal, as unlikely as it is. It's no secret the Eagles are enamored with the top quarterbacks, or at least the idea of starting fresh even with Sam Bradford and Chase Daniel locked up to multi-year deals.
But with the Rams completing such a deal, it seems like the price was not right for the Eagles, and so they will press on with Bradford and Daniel at quarterback and see what they can get at eight — or higher or lower.
And if they find the piece they are looking for, one that can fill a hole immediately and become an instant contribution to the team, then that trade for Bradford, that was much-maligned for involving that second-round pick, may have actually helped the Eagles.
Kevin Durso is managing editor for Eagledelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.
