2017 NFL Draft: Detailing the Eagles Draft Strategy

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By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

It is a crucial draft weekend for the Eagles, who have several holes to fill on the roster through the draft.

As Draft weekend begins, how do the Eagles approach their eight picks on the weekend? What is the strategy for Howie Roseman and Joe Douglas?

Here’s a look at the positions of need and how the Eagles may choose to address them this weekend.

Cornerback

Given the way the Eagles put an emphasis on receiver help in free agency and the way they have been burned in the past by big-name free agent cornerbacks, this is the time and place to address the ongoing cornerback need.

It is a cornerback-rich draft, so where the Eagles decide to address this remains to be seen and is not as simple as putting the first-round pick to the greatest team need. But the Eagles do need to come away with two cornerbacks out of their eight picks at the draft this weekend, and one of them needs to come within the first three rounds if not both.

Running Back

The x-factor in the first-round pick category. The Eagles need another playmaker on offense and particularly at the running back position.

Again, the Eagles don’t have to give in and take a running back in the first round. If that option presents itself, with a player like Christian McCaffrey still being on the board at 14, it may be too good to pass up. But others, such as Dalvin Cook or a Day 2-type pick like Pitt’s James Connor, could be good for the Eagles as well, especially if there’s a chance to get a steal in the early second round.

Wide Receivers

It’s not as much of a need anymore, and there will be plenty of chances to address this throughout the weekend, but the Eagles do need to add a wide receiver drafted with Carson Wentz already in the QB driver’s seat.

They may have lots of talent on paper, now that they have added Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith to join the likes of Jordan Matthews and Nelson Agholor, but another young receiver, one who can grow with Wentz, would be a good get for the Eagles.

Defensive Line

There aren’t many defensive linemen getting a first-round grade that will still be around by the 10th overall pick, at least according to most projections. The Eagles aren’t going to be on the clock with Myles Garrett, Solomon Thomas or Jonathan Allen on the board if that is indeed the case.

Derek Barnett and Charles Harris are really the only two defensive lineman that the Eagles could have an eye on in the first round. There will be chances to add to that later in the draft, which could make this more of a Day 3 priority for the Eagles if players like Barnett and Harris aren’t available or aren’t the best player for them at 14.

Offensive Line

It’s not a dire need, but the Eagles will be looking to add depth. This makes it pretty clear. The Eagles will probably draft one offensive lineman on Day 3 to add to the group.

Linebacker

It’s still a possibility in the first round, but only Reuben Foster’s name seems to jump out. You could throw guys like Haason Reddick and Zach Cunningham into the first-round discussion, but it’s really tough to say how the board will play out.

It’s also not as glaring a need for the Eagles as a cornerback, running back or defensive lineman is, so linebacker may get pushed aside for a day, maybe even two, before the Eagles dip into the pool for depth at that position as well.

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