The initial wave of free agency's major moves have come and gone.
While the Eagles may still make a handful of minor moves, the major improvements to the team through veteran players have been made and several holes have been filled.
The secondary and the defensive depth has improved, and the offensive line has been addressed. And of course, before free agency began the Eagles secured their starting quarterback.
However, the Birds still have a number of areas to address.
Running Back
Once thought to be a position where little, if any change would occur, the trade of DeMarco Murray has now opened up a number of questions about the backfield.
Ryan Mathews is currently at the top of the depth chart, but there have been reports that the Eagles have made him available as well, and Mathews has been very injury-prone throughout his career, and relying on him to shoulder the workload of a featured back for an entire season would be a mistake.
Darren Sproles will return, but his skillset and size forever leave him as a role-player.
The team needs some fresh blood at this position, and they may have an opportunity to add one of the draft's most dynamic talents.
Ezekiel Elliot figures to be available when the Eagles are on the clock. Elliot is billed as the complete package. He has size, speed, pass-catching ability, and blocks well. In an offense that doesn't have a lot of explosive playmakers, Elliot could bring a special dimension to the table, and while running backs generally have a shorter shelf life than other positions, he may be worth selecting with the top pick.
Cornerback
The Eagles have signed Leodis McKelvin, but the 30-year old doesn't represent and ideal, or long-term solution on the outside, and would be a better fit in the slot.
There's still a chance that the Eagles will bring back Nolan Carroll, but in the event that they can't, corner once again becomes a top priority for this team to address in the draft.
Mackensie Alexander has been a name that has come up as a possibility for Philadelphia's eighth pick.
Alexander played for Clemson, the alma matter of Brian Dawkins. He doesn't possess great size, but plays with a fiery edge to him and rises to the challenge when facing greater competition.
Cornerback has been a problem for the Eagles for years. They haven't been able to adequately replace their last effective starting combination of Sheldon Brown and Asante Samuel. They've tried to address it in free agency through guys like Byron Maxwell and Nnamdi Asomugha, but the only player that they've used a significant draft pick on was Eric Rowe a year ago.
Investing another pick in a guy like Alexander could help solidify the position.
Offensive Line
Picking up Brandon Brooks was a solid acquisition that brings youth, talent, and stability to the offensive line, providing an instant upgrade over the likes of Matt Tobin and Andrew Gardner at right guard.
But this is a position that the Eagles must continue to address.
The club still needs an upgrade at left guard over Allen Barbre, and they need to improve their depth, including developing a replacement for Jason Peters in the future.
The draft is deep in offensive line prospects, and while a guy like Ronnie Stanley could be a fit for the eighth pick, I think this is an area that the Eagles are more likely to address in the third or fourth round.
Wide Receiver
The Eagles still need help in this area, despite investing multiple high draft picks in over the last two years.
Jordan Matthews and Nelson Agholor are the only two wideouts that I consider to be locks to be on the roster in September.
Josh Huff is talented, but its very possible that his inconsistent production could lead to his departure, and I expect the team to add at least one veteran over the next few weeks.
The Eagles need a guy that could become a dynamic deep threat that can stretch out a defense, and they also need a big, physical target capable of helping out in the redzone.
Quarterback
Plain and simple, the Eagles need a quarterback of the future.
I don't think that guy is going to come along this year. With the new contract for Sam Bradford, I expect the Eagles to be fully committed to giving him an opportunity to prove that he can be a long-term answer. And that means the top pick will likely be going towards an offensive lineman or a skill position player to make Bradford's chances of success a little better.
But the team still has a need to bring in a young arm. And they most likely will, in the fourth round or later. However, whoever they bring in is extremely unlikely to develop into anything more than a reserve.
Denny Basens is a contributing writer for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @DennyBasens.
