NFL Draft Day 3 Preview: How the Eagles Utilize Final 5 Picks

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

After a great two nights to open the NFL Draft, the final day of the Draft is upon us on Saturday. Starting at noon, Rounds 4 through 7 will commence, bringing Draft weekend to a close.

The Eagles, to this point, have put the emphasis on defense in the Draft, first taking defensive end Derek Barnett on Thursday to bolster the pass rush, then taking a pair of cornerbacks in Sidney Jones and Rasul Douglas to start building the secondary.

As Day 3 begins, the Eagles will have two picks in the fourth round and one pick in each of the remaining rounds, leaving five chances to address other needs in the Draft.

Here is how the Eagles may approach their Day 3 picks.

So far, the Eagles have not gone with offense in the first three rounds, which would indicate that somewhere along the way, offense will be the pick. The Eagles have two picks in the fourth round, so expect one to be a running back or wide receiver.

The Eagles really have a need at running back, but didn't take one on Day 2 after just missing on Dalvin Cook and opting to not pick Joe Mixon. As a result, their wait in the third round saw four more backs come off the board — Alvin Kamara, D'Onta Foreman, Kareem Hunt and James Conner.

Conner would have been the ideal pick at 119, but the chances of him lasting that long were slim. At this point, focus shifts to some mid-round projected backs like Samaje Perine, Marlon Mack, Donnel Pumphrey and Matt Dayes. Look for one of those to join the Eagles in the fourth round.

Wide receiver remains an option as well, even with options dwindling and not as great a need. Dede Westbrook still stands as one of the top receivers on the board and even earned a Round 2 projection from NFL.com. Names like Chad Hansen, Isaiah Ford and Malachi Dupre could be targets for the Eagles in the fourth or fifth round.

With their final two picks, look for the Eagles to mainly target depth at two positions: offensive line and linebacker.

It isn't completely out of the question that the Eagles could open Day 3 by taking the best player available. Offensive lineman Dorian Johnson, tight end Bucky Hodges and safety Desmond King are three players that may not be of the greatest need, but may be too good to pass up. 

Ultimately, the Eagles have five picks to try to add to the offense while still keeping a keen eye on defensive players that may fall into their lap. They took a head-on approach to addressing cornerback based on how the board shifted on Day 2, ending up with one cornerback recovering from injury that could end up becoming a first-round quality player and another who can compete for a spot on the field immediately. Anything is certainly possible after a seventh-round pick got significant playing time a season ago.

But for the offense, the Eagles need to find a dynamic player of sorts. A running back is a must. A young receiver to grow with Carson Wentz would be a welcome addition as well. Use two picks for those two needs and focus the remaining picks on depths, and all-in-all it will be a successful weekend for the Eagles.

Go to top button