Eagle Fan Diary

  Perhaps “shock” is too strong a word, but the Eagles zagged to my recommended zigs yesterday.   While I suggested using their two 2 nd day picks to address their needs at defensive end (edge) on the defensive line and in the defensive backfield, the Eagles went in 2 differing directions. With their day 2 pick, the Eagles selected Center Cam Jurgens at #51.   This was a surprise:   Not because Jurgens is not a good player, but because it appears unlikely he’ll play much in 2022 unless injury deems that a necessity.   The Eagles apparently involved their likely future Hall of Fame Center, Jason Kelce, in their search for his successor, since Kelce has indicated he is close to retirement.   The Eagles were fortunate to get Kelce back this season, and it may very well be his last, although in 2021 he played at the highest level (All-Pro).   Per Kelce: This is my favorite player in the draft. I’m not just saying that because we picked him. The Eagl...

  As is so often the case, Howie Roseman excited the fans with an action packed round 1 in the draft.   A month ago, the Eagles had picks 15, 16 and 19 in the first round.   They did not pick in any of those slots yesterday! There was, of course, the deal with the New Orleans Saints a few weeks ago, sending pick 16 off for future draft capital and moving pick 19 up one slot to #18.   This move is hyper-critical to next years (2023) draft, and was useful in yesterday’s continuation of “Monty Hall” Roseman’s version of “Let’s make a Deal!” After a run on defensive players at the top of the draft, the receivers began to go… wideouts Drake London, Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave were gone before pick #12.   Trader Howie gave up a 4 th round pick and two fifth round picks to move up from #15 to #13, as most of a tiny number of players (2?) the Eagles wanted at 15 were disappearing.   Getting to 13 was a pivotal spot where Howie believed one of a few key (Eag...

  So what will the Eagles do tomorrow, in the first round of the NFL Draft?  Armed with picks 15 and 18 in this first round after the trade a few weeks ago with the Saints, we will have a chance to see trader Howie at work. No QB in this draft has a first-round grade.   Anticipate some QB’s being taken in round 1 because some teams will still be desperate to acquire a (2 nd round valued) QB in round 1.   I expect the over/under will be 3 QB’s… Malik Willis, Kenny Pickett and likely either Desmond Ridder or Matt Corrall will be selected in round 1, but they are unlikely to be chosen till the 2 nd half of this first round.   It's too bad for the Birds, because you’d like those QB’s to get chosen early in round 1 to push better position players down to the team in Green.   Perhaps Detroit (at #2) or Atlanta (at #8) will panic for a QB, but this is doubtful.   If I am wrong about this, though, I will rejoice, since it will better situate the Eagles at ...

  Yesterday, GM Howie Roseman and head coach Nick Sirianni gave a pre-draft news conference.   There was a decent amount of information shared.   Below is the Q&A, followed by my take below that. First 6 questions were for Howie… 1-       (Explain your thoughts on) The Trade with New Orleans: We were kind of looking at this year and next year, and the amount of picks we had in this years draft, and trying to kind of balance it a little bit for a variety of factors: When you look at having first round picks & the 5 th year option, and having that many guys on a 5 th year option.  Also, kind of balancing just scouting all the players in this year’s draft and next years draft, and having more options and more flexibility at all positions. Kind of getting a head start at looking at next years draft too, and seeing that it’s strong like this year’s draft, we thought it made sense.  Obviously from New Orleans standpoint we looked...

  The Eagles had an opportunity to add a second Miles to their team yesterday (in addition to Miles Sanders).   Miles Boykin was a 6’4” 25 year old 3 rd round pick by the Baltimore Ravens in 2019, with terrific measurables (His spider chart showed top 21% receiving measurables in 10 of 11 metrics, top 10% for 3 of those).   He was not, however, a productive Raven receiver (over 3 years averaged 11 catches a year for 157 yards and 2 TD’s).   The Ravens cut him recently.     He was a physical player when drafted from  Notre Dame  in 2019.   He was projected to be a receiver that would require time to develop (Sounds like North Dakota receiver Chris Watson, projected to be a raw 2 nd or 3 rd round pick from North Dakota State).  He got time to develop as a Raven. So why bet on a Boykin that did not succeed: Baltimore has allegedly not been great at developing receivers in recent seasons Baltimore is a run heavy offense Boykin ha...

  Rumor suggests the Eagles “went after” a number of high profile NFL receivers (unsuccessfully) via both free agency and trade (Various rumors linked them to Calvin Ridley, Christian Kirk and Robert Woods, among others).   The Birds eventually settled on Nick Sirianni favorite Zach Pascal after coming in (at best) 2 nd place in pursuit of the other aforementioned players.   Given the expensive contracts signed by Kirk in Jacksonville, as well as top echelon receivers Davante Adams and Tyreek Hill in the AFC (plus a lucrative early re-signing of Stephon Diggs in Buffalo), a new more expensive market and value has been established at the position. Pascal would appear to be an ideal 4 th wideout in Philly.   But the Eagles, with an already expressed desire to upgrade (per perceived actions, not words), and an opportunity to lock into rookie contract value at the position, it would not be surprising to see the Birds select at least 2 receivers amongst their 10 draft...