In any other year, the draft would have been over for weeks and the “what if” questions could turn into “what do we have” analysis. Unfortunately for fans of the world’s greatest game, the NFL decided to put off its spring fling for three weeks; Turning the normal debauchery of the media in uncertain situations into an awkward compilation of hot takes, misinformation, and opinionated haberdashery. This is no more true elsewhere than the most-covered division in football, the NFC East.
All fluff and propaganda aside, we can now begin to look through the proverbial smoke-screen tactics teams reportedly utilize each and every spring. For the Philadelphia Eagles, things have been quite since the departure of DeSean Jackson and for the better if you ask fans of Philadelphia’s favorite franchise. While the team remains mum, rumors are still circulating about the Eagles’ upcoming picks.
The main question everyone wants to know and no one really will regards the idea of a trade in the first round. Be it forward to grab a top-level talent or back to accrue depth, the right offer could always alter even the best laid plans of mice and Chip Kelly’s men.
One name that has been in the mouths of many close to the Eagles’ drafters is Odell Beckham Jr. The wide receiver is an elite level pass-catcher with blazing speed and above average hands. While I’m certainly down with ODB, losing picks in a draft overflowing with talent specifically at the skill positions, would be a mistake that Tom Gamble and Howie Roseman most likely will not make.
Another name on the Eagles radar is Florida State wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin, who the Star-Ledger reported could actually be the team’s target in the first round. Taken at number 22 in three of ESPN’s Mel Kiper’s mock drafts, Benjamin is a larger receiver at 6’5” and would add versatility to the Eagles wide receiving corps. However, many experts do not view Benjamin as a first round talent, so it would be mildly surprising if the Seminole became an Eagle so early in the draft.
Perhaps the strangest rumor coming across the wire that is almost certainly extrapolation at its finest is the thought that Philadelphia is targeting a quarterback in the first round. Let’s get this over with, Nick Foles is the starter for your 2014 Philadelphia Eagles, end of story. Reports have circulated that Foles is on the trade block, but what player isn’t? Roseman and the Eagles’ front office have made it perfectly clear that any player is for sale, at the right price. What is the proper value for the man who set the touchdown to interception ratio record in a single season? All of the draft picks. Foles is going nowhere without multiple first round picks being dealt, which is not a likely situation.
This final irrelevant theory has been a growing narrative for months. Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel is one of the most widely disputed and discussed prospects in years, and many media members have indicated that Philadelphia could be a landing spot for Manziel. While the prospect of having Johnny football in an offense run by Chip Kelly is at the very least intriguing, Manziel will simply not be in a spot for Philadelphia to take him with good reason. The Eagles will stand put with what they have at quarterback, unless someone drops like Matt Barkley did last year and the Foles-haters will just have to deal with Napolean Dynamite at quarterback in Philadelphia.
But what of Manziel to another franchise in this division? Johnny football has been linked to the Dallas Cowboys, so much so that one fan even doled out big money for a jersey with Manziel’s name on it. While the Cowboys are certainly looking down the line for Romo’s replacement, Manziel in the first round would be a gamble even Jerry Jones should stay away from.
Furthermore, consider Dallas’ Head Coach Jason Garrett; the Cowboys’ skipper is in the last year of his contract, and would be taking a massive chance on his future in Dallas by selecting Manziel. A more likely candidate for the Cowboys at 16 is Odell Beckham Jr. or perhaps Aaron Donald. Beckham would fill a void at wide-receiver two, while Donald would help stave off the void left by the departure of Demarcus Ware Jay Ratliff and Jason Hatcher the latter led the Cowboys in sacks last season. While Manziel would create massive headlines in the state where everything is bigger, this rumor is just that: nothing more than a guesstimate.
As opposed to the other teams in the NFC East, the New York Giants are the most predictable in terms of team needs. After losing Hakeem Nicks to the Colts and parting ways with Brandon Myers the Giants need help on offense. In addition to a lack of skill players, New York struggled in pass protection last season, allowing 40 sacks on the year. With needs at running back, wide receiver, tight end, and on the line, the Giants focus in this class has to be on rejuvenating a stagnant and turnover-prone offense.
Recent reports have indicated that Zach Martin, an offensive tackle from Notre Dame, is the team’s top choice for the 12th pick. Other options the team would surely consider are tight end Eric Ebron out of UNC, and pass-catcher Mike Evans of Texas A&M. Should neither of these two be available with the team’s first choice, the aforementioned Beckham Jr. would be a nice addition opposite Victor Cruz.
Least interesting in the rumor mill surrounding the NFC East are the Washington Redskins, who do not have a first round selection due to the Robert Griffin III trade. The presumed face of franchise will start anew under new Head Coach Jay Gruden, but what of his backup? Kirk Cousins is reportedly worth a third round selection, but will any team bite? The Cleveland Browns are rumored to be linked to the Redskins in terms of dealing Cousins, though a third rounder may be too steep a price, especially considering the Browns will have two shots at their next quarterback in the first round alone.
The rumor with the least foundation regarding the team from our nation’s capital is of a trade up into the first round. This is completely unfounded and irrational. Why would a team already reeling with lack of draft picks give up more in a loaded class for a gamble on a single player not named Andrew Luck? In a class this talented, the team should and will stay right where they are at the top of the second round, and let value fall to them.
Now we play the waiting game. Everything will fall into place over the weekend, and many experts predict one of the most unpredictable drafts in years. All the better to extrapolate false narratives my dear, enjoy the draft and do not put much faith in the “wisdom” of social media, as it shall lead you astray.