1 minute ago, Outlaw said:

 

43 minutes ago, Connecticut Eagle said:

I am still intrigued by Howie's use of "unique player" during his presser last week.

Makes me think that he is targeting Carter/Anderson/Wilson, Broderick Jones, or Bijan Robinson.  After them, may as well trade back into the pool of 'very good' players.

I have also gotten my head around the use of the 10th pick on a RB.  Asking a great RB to carry a bad team is a bad use of draft resources. 

Asking a great RB to create an even more explosive offense makes sense.

There are 2 themes I have heard.  One is unique player and the 2nd is not being in a position to draft this high for the foreseeable future.  My sense is that Paris Johnson is a more likely candidate than Broderick Jones. I also would not be surprised if they went  with Nolan Smith given his measurables.  I don't think they will draft CB at 10.  I also wonder if they would pass on Anderson.  Anderson didn't test like some athletic freak.  The Eagles also have not met with him, it seems, at any point in the draft process.  

19 minutes ago, eagle45 said:

I am very ambivalent heading into this draft.

The overarching theme here is that we have a franchise QB on a mega contract. 

Philosophy 1: Moving forward, we aren't going to be able to get impact WR/OT/DE through free agency.  They must be drafted.  That makes me hesitant to use first round picks on other, less premium positions.  WR is not a major need right now (although I could see it creeping into the picture as one in the next 1-2 years).  I also don't like the WRs in this draft.  So cross that off.  OT works, but they still need to ride the pine until Lane retires, unless they play RG, which really dampens the value of the Jurgens pick.  DE certainly works.  So with this approach, I'd say DE/edge is #1, OT/OL is #2.

Philosophy 2: Due to cap constraints, we can no longer afford to have a roster that has elite talent on both offense and defense.  Our elite defense might as well have been the #32 defense in the league in the final, decisive game of our season.  So why not shop at Costco for a by-design bend-but-don't-break defense and just get absolutely stacked on offense.  In this draft, that means we look at OL/RB/TE with our premium picks.

 

OL fits both philosophies and that's probably the direction I'd look.

 

They have everyone on offense signed for 2 more years at least, some of them 3 years.  They do need O line depth and to groom a Lane Johnson replacement.  We don't know how many more seasons Kelce will play.  If they have a SB window he and Lane might tough it out 2 more years.  In the recent PC Howie twice mentioned Jurgens as a starting O lineman.  That might mean they have him penciled in for now, or it might mean they've fully decided that.  He can play RG until Kelce retires.  They have a lot of picks next year.  I could see them getting an O lineman in later rounds this draft for depth, and unless they love a guy for Lane's replacement, get that top OT next year.

I think they will place priority on D line since Cox is likely gone after this year, or he becomes a backup for rotational depth to keep him fresh.  Either way they need a quality starting DT next to Davis (who we don't know yet if he'll be able to play all downs).  Graham played at a high level last year and like Kelce, might stay beyond this year for another shot at a SB.  But you take those 2 guys off the D line and they really don't have much since Hargrave left.  I think their top priority will be D line.

5 minutes ago, e-a-g-l-e-s eagles! said:

Tbh not sure you are leapfrogging up high enough to get Anderson. If he falls to 5-6 then i think seattle or lions take him. I’m guessing at 4 colts would go QB still. Carter might fall at that point to 7. Cause based off some of the stuff on Twitter seattle and lions aren’t comfortable taking him that high. How true that is unknown. I tend to think seattle would take Anderson and so it comes down to how the lions truly feel about carter

I just don't think the Eagles will get anywhere close to a Will Anderson again in the near future. Checks off every single box. I'd give Seattle a lot.

9 minutes ago, NOTW said:

 

in that PC Howie also acknowledged that they primarily draft linemen, that it's no secret everyone knows. His "unique" comment was in response to being asked about the narrative that they don't take RB or LB in round 1.  His answer was basically saying BPA, you don't just pick for a certain position, you have to be open minded about the pick regardless of position to take a unique player.

Of course he's not really going to reveal anything about their draft plans though.  They ask every chance they get and he talks about the process, value, etc. but is never going to tip anything.

That's b/c he doesn't know. The only thing he can do is put together his draft board, then wait and see what offers come through the door. And who is on the board when he picks.

But come draft day, Howie is cool as a cucumber, he's learned from his mistakes and doesn't panic or reach.

 

Given the number of picks we have next year, I am not so hung up on the current lack of day 3 picks.

I'd be ok if they aggressively move up from 10 to get a difference maker.  We should not be this close to the top again soon.  Make the most of the opportunity.

 

21 minutes ago, ManuManu said:

Can’t wait to take the ICLA QB in round 3. 

Did he mean us?  Because I just assumed we would be.  We ARE a QB factory who just handed out a huge extension to our runner up MVP QB…..

8 minutes ago, Saltpeter said:

I just don't think the Eagles will get anywhere close to a Will Anderson again in the near future. Checks off every single box. I'd give Seattle a lot.

The only issue with that is that Seattle might be thinking the same thing where they don’t believe they’re going to be in a top-five position to get a Will Anderson type player in a while either and he checks off all their box. Seattle might have the same mindset so they might not be willing to trade out even if you’re willing to give up a lot because they need that type of player on their defense. their defense is awful.

just my feeling that the Lions and Seahawks are unlikely to trade down from their spots if their guys are there

 

 

2 hours ago, Outlaw said:

It's one of the best "franchise QB" contracts I've ever seen. Howie already gunning for back to back Exec of the Year.

I think this was less about Howie than Hurts.

Hurts is one of those rare athletes who really doesn't care about bragging rights or any of that BS, he loves to compete, he wants his money without crippling his team so it looks like his agent worked with Howie to give Hurts a balance of maximum guaranteed money and Howie maximum cap flexibility.

It's one of those things I'm sure reverberates through the locker room, the players knew he had Howie by the balls, and know he made sacrifices to help the team. Which means no one will resent his money.  Much like Mahomes in KC.

For Hurts, he's still going to be filthy rich, but he wants to be able to sit by his Olympic size swimming pool and flash his championship rings at friends and family.

Just now, e-a-g-l-e-s eagles! said:

The only issue with that is that Seattle might be thinking the same thing where they don’t believe they’re going to be in a top-five position to get a Will Anderson type player in a while either and he checks off all their box. Seattle might have the same mindset so they might not be willing to trade out even if you’re willing to give up a lot because they need that type of player on their defense. their defense is awful.

Maybe. For some reason that doesn't feel like Seattle to me. Under Carroll/Schneider, they've always been a little weird.

https://overthecap.com/thoughts-on-jalen-hurts-255-million-contract-with-the-eagles

Good explanation of the contract here. 

11 minutes ago, Saltpeter said:

Maybe. For some reason that doesn't feel like Seattle to me. Under Carroll/Schneider, they've always been a little weird.

To be honest, I think a bigger wildcard with Seattle is if they’re gonna take a quarterback. Geno Smith is 33 years old and he has one good year in his career. So he could fall off the face of the planet this year and then they need a quarterback next year. I tend to think if they are going quarterback, they don’t want to move down to 10. Because the guy they love or going to take might not be there at 10. Which l if they do go someone like Anthony Richardson, or Stroud then the lions are picking at six with Anderson. I don’t think they want to trade down to 10 when they can get Will Anderson to pair up Hutchinson and they are a playoff caliber team.

I just find it really hard for the Eagles to move into slots five or six. I think the pick that makes the most sense for the Eagles to jump up and get someone is pick seven with the Raiders. Because if the Cardinals, Paris Johnson, then the Raiders to move back three spots and still get Jones, skoronski, and likely one of those two corners. In this hypothetical scenario, I could see Jalen Carter falling to seven and the eagles move up to get him.
 

23 minutes ago, Outlaw said:

 

 

22 minutes ago, NOTW said:

They have everyone on offense signed for 2 more years at least, some of them 3 years.  They do need O line depth and to groom a Lane Johnson replacement.  We don't know how many more seasons Kelce will play.  If they have a SB window he and Lane might tough it out 2 more years.  In the recent PC Howie twice mentioned Jurgens as a starting O lineman.  That might mean they have him penciled in for now, or it might mean they've fully decided that.  He can play RG until Kelce retires.  They have a lot of picks next year.  I could see them getting an O lineman in later rounds this draft for depth, and unless they love a guy for Lane's replacement, get that top OT next year.

I think they will place priority on D line since Cox is likely gone after this year, or he becomes a backup for rotational depth to keep him fresh.  Either way they need a quality starting DT next to Davis (who we don't know yet if he'll be able to play all downs).  Graham played at a high level last year and like Kelce, might stay beyond this year for another shot at a SB.  But you take those 2 guys off the D line and they really don't have much since Hargrave left.  I think their top priority will be D line.

I think people are underestimating Milton Williams. Not saying they don't still need a rushing DT...they do. But a DT rotation along the lines of Cox, Davis, Williams, Street isn't bad. Add in a guy like Carter, Mazi Smith, Kancey, Benton, etc. and you have a VERY strong unit. I also could see Desai doing a lot of 5-2 this year with something like below where another starting-caliber DT becomes more critical than in a 4-3:

Reddick Cox Davis Williams Sweat

                        Dean Morrow

What’s more likely? The Eagles trading 10 for a player similar to the AJ brown deal, or them trading so far down they pick up a 2nd 2024 1st rounder? 
 

I feel the draft isn’t very top heavy in any position, but does have some good depth at many. They have a 3-4 year window to swing for the fences, so would they invest in the draft this year with so few picks or utilize their high draft position to pickup even more for next year or a pro bowl level player?

3 minutes ago, wussbasket said:

What’s more likely? The Eagles trading 10 for a player similar to the AJ brown deal, or them trading so far down they pick up a 2nd 2024 1st rounder? 
 

I feel the draft isn’t very top heavy in any position, but does have some good depth at many. They have a 3-4 year window to swing for the fences, so would they invest in the draft this year with so few picks or utilize their high draft position to pickup even more for next year or a pro bowl level player?

Probably the latter for money reasons.

4 minutes ago, wussbasket said:

What’s more likely? The Eagles trading 10 for a player similar to the AJ brown deal, or them trading so far down they pick up a 2nd 2024 1st rounder? 
 

I feel the draft isn’t very top heavy in any position, but does have some good depth at many. They have a 3-4 year window to swing for the fences, so would they invest in the draft this year with so few picks or utilize their high draft position to pickup even more for next year or a pro bowl level player?

If they're moving 10 for a player, it would need to be a scenario with one of Stroud/Richardson/Levis on the board and a team like a Buccaneers, Vikings, Commanders wanting to move up to snag a QB. In return, I think we'd be looking for a premier young defensive lineman and a 3rd-5th rounder. Of those 3 teams, you'd be talking about Daron Payne, Chase Young, Danielle Hunter, Vita Vea level players. I just don't see it.

1 hour ago, jsb235 said:

Mock drafts are like karaoke. Everyone is terrible at it, but it's popular and harmless fun. 

I see you’ve never joined a competitive karaoke league.

15 minutes ago, wussbasket said:

What’s more likely? The Eagles trading 10 for a player similar to the AJ brown deal, or them trading so far down they pick up a 2nd 2024 1st rounder? 
 

I feel the draft isn’t very top heavy in any position, but does have some good depth at many. They have a 3-4 year window to swing for the fences, so would they invest in the draft this year with so few picks or utilize their high draft position to pickup even more for next year or a pro bowl level player?

 

If they trade a forst for a player I see it being that 30th pick.

2 minutes ago, wussbasket said:

What’s more likely? The Eagles trading 10 for a player similar to the AJ brown deal, or them trading so far down they pick up a 2nd 2024 1st rounder? 
 

I feel the draft isn’t very top heavy in any position, but does have some good depth at many. They have a 3-4 year window to swing for the fences, so would they invest in the draft this year with so few picks or utilize their high draft position to pickup even more for next year or a pro bowl level player?

I want more picks this year.  Can't keep kicking it down the road plus we are loaded with picks in next years draft already...  It is fun to watch other teams and hope they lose but I'd really hope we can move down a few picks and get a 2nd rounder this year. 

 

 

Anyone likey?

 

37 minutes ago, paco said:

Did he mean us?  Because I just assumed we would be.  We ARE a QB factory who just handed out a huge extension to our runner up MVP QB…..

Maybe the Cowboys and Vikings.  Dak's deal only lasts through 2024. He's going to want to re-negotiate.  Depending on how this season goes, I can see how the Cowboys may want to have another option.  The Vikings seem like an obvious choice for a QB given that Cousins may be gone soon.  It's possible Seattle is a team too.  

5 hours ago, RLC said:

My ideal draft is leaving with Will Anderson and Brian Branch.
Watch us leave with Skorsonki and Adebawore.

Guess I'm not the only one who wants no part of Adebawore. Of course it's probably Howies favorite f'n prospect too.