Eagles must maximize impact of three first-round draft picks to go deeper in playoffs

Howie Roseman and the Eagles have an opportunity to really help themselves in the April 28-30 NFL Draft.

With three first-round picks (Nos. 15, 16 and 19) among their 10 selections, Roseman and his staff are seeking to land a bunch of starters/contributors that would increase the chances of advancing deeper in the playoffs. The Birds are coming off of an encouraging 9-8 season in which they lost to the Buccaneers in the wild-card round in Nick Sirianni's first year as coach.

The good news is nearly all of the collegiate prospects should be in play since the Eagles are looking to upgrade at so many positions. In fact, it's easier to list where the Birds are all set – essentially, kicker – since they can use young talent just about everywhere else.

The biggest need area could end up being the secondary, because three of the four 2021 starters there – everyone except Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay – are free agents. Safeties Rodney McLeod, Anthony Harris and cornerback Steven Nelson could all be playing elsewhere next season.

Since becoming GM in 2010, Roseman hasn't chosen a defensive back, running back or linebacker in the first round. In fact, it's been 20 years since the Eagles took a cornerback (Lito Sheppard, No. 26, 2002) and longer since they opted for a safety (Ben Smith, No. 22 in 1990), running back (Keith Byars, No. 10, 1986) or traditional linebacker (Jerry Robinson, No. 21 in 1979) in the first round.

The organization doesn't place a great deal of value on running backs or linebackers, but everybody should be considered, regardless if it's an edge rusher, offensive lineman, receiver or tight end in the 2022 first round. Offensive playmakers would be particularly welcomed.

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"We don't go into a draft saying we're not going to do something," Roseman said during Wednesday's yearend Zoom call. "For us, it's all about the skill set of that particular player and the football character of that player."

With this is not projected to be a strong quarterback class early in the draft, the Eagles probably won't use a first-rounder on a QB, though they could take a shot with one of the seven remaining picks if there's somebody they really like. That's what they did with Jalen Hurts in the second round two years ago when Carson Wentz was the established starter.

I'm intrigued with the idea of acquiring a second 2023 first-round selection, which would probably mean parting with one of the three top 20 picks this year, to essentially give Hurts another year for management and the coaches to determine if he can be the franchise quarterback.

"It depends on who's on the board," Roseman said. "It's always an equation of if there is a guy on the board we think has incredible value for that pick, whether it's in the first round or second round (and) if we have a group of guys that we value similarly and we can move back. I think because of the amount of picks that we have in this draft – maybe even getting picks for 2023 and getting in a situation similar to this year where we have a lot of picks – that would be good."

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If there are three players Roseman and his staff really like and believe should have immediate impacts, then it makes sense to keep all three. Combining two picks to get higher in the draft for a guy who moves the needle could turn out to be the best move.

Roseman isn't afraid to trade up or back, which is a good thing because circumstances sometimes dictate doing one or the other. A year ago, he did both to go from No. 6 to 12 and then to No. 10 on draft day.

Roseman traded down from No. 6 to 12 with the Dolphins, acquiring a fourth-round pick (cornerback Zech McPhearson) and a 2022 first-rounder that became No. 15 overall this year.

Once dynamic receiver DeVonta Smith, the Heisman Trophy winner, was still on the board, Roseman moved up from No. 12 to 10 by sending a third-round pick and No. 12, which brought Pro Bowl edge rusher/former Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons, to the Cowboys.

Roseman could trade up, down or again do both this spring. Whatever results in the most rookies impacting the Eagles as soon as possible, regardless of position, remains the priority.

Tom Moore: tmoore@couriertimes.com; @TomMoorePhilly

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Eagles need to address numerous needs with 3 1st-round picks in NFL Draft