Just Howie Being Howie

[Rob331]

We should all be glad Howie is our GM. We could never envision the twists and turns, the unexpected, and the risk taking with another team or another GM. If nothing else, playing Howie is fun.  

Why hasn't Howie done more in free agency? He's just been biding his time. This is a strategy that only a GM with job security can make. In this mock Howie gambles that he can sign potential starters/quality depth with free agents AFTER the draft. 

He also continues his draft day reputation as "Trader Howie". He makes multiple trades down to add picks. 

Then he drafts as much for the future as for today.  

Here are the needs-

• Must haves just to field a competitive team- starting safety and starting corner
• Need - Receiver upgrade, rotational DE and rotational DT
• Should add - big running back, tight end, punter
• Could use - linebacker depth, corner depth upgrade, developmental quarterback

Draft day trades - 

• Pittsburgh wants Kenny Pickett and believes NO also wants him. They trade picks 20 and 52 to the Eagles for pick 15
• Kansas City has their eyes on a specific receiver. They move up by trading picks 29 and 50 for pick 18. 
• Indy needs a left tackle. They can't get Neal, Ekwonu, Cross, or Penning. Reich remembers who the Eagles took Dillard and trades pick 73 for him

Draft picks - 

• 1-20 CB Kair Elam. Not as highly touted or talked about as Gardner, Stingley, McDuffie and Booth, but he could start this year
• 1-29 DE David Ojabo. A pick to replace BG next year. 
• 2-50 S Jaquan Brisker. Could start immediately, but again this is a gamble
• 2-51 DE/DT Logan Hall, Milton Williams the 2nd. Can play inside and out. This year will be in the DE rotation with BG, Sweat, and Barnett
• 2-52 WR Alec Pierce. Another topic for fan controversy. Why didn't the Eagles take a 1st round receiver? Bottom line - he's an upgrade over Reagor and will be a good WR2
• 3-732 RB Isaiah Spiller. Now the pressure is really on Sanders to produce and stay healthy in his contract year. Better now than Howard ever was.
• 3-83 LB Troy Andersen. Wow'd the combine - a total surprise. Taylor is now on notice. 
• 4-124 P Matt Araia. Seems high, but he is a weapon just like Ray Guy was. Will switch field position for a decade
• 5-154 TE Cole Turner. We needed a backup and we got one.  
• 5-162 OT Dare Rosenthal. Replaces Dillard on the roster. At 6'7 327 he is a Mailata clone. 
• 5-166 QB Bailey Zappe. Highly productive 
• 7-237 DT LaBryan Ray. Came into the season highly rated. a 5star recruit who has been plagues by injuries. A no risk high reward pick

Post draft signings

• S Terrell Edmunds. Could he be a repeat of the Rodney McLeod success? The most un-talked about safety on the market. A former 1st round pick who is 26 gets new life in Philly. Could start and give Brisker a year to prepare to replace Harris or if Brisker shines he could be exceptional depth. 
• CB Kyle Fuller. 30 years old and still playing well. Another under the radar player still on the market. He and Elam will battle for the starting role. The loser provides improved depth.
• DT Eddie Goldman. Makes the 4th in the rotation with Cox, Hargrave, and Williams
• WR TY Hilton. We get the wily veteran to help a young wide receiver room. 

 

 

 

[ibleedgreen1990]

I like a lot of the players you picked up. If we get edmunds after the draft too thats big. Elam isnt my favorite for round one but I like him over McDuffie. Dont think Fuller is realistic since we have so many players to compete for the spot opposite slay already. Even if he wins its for 1 year at best. I would also say the same about Goldman since we already have two high priced veteran DTs. If Bailey Zappe (5967 yards and 62 tds) is there in the 5th thats a huge steal.