Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
The Philadelphia Eagles appear rather squeamish at pick No. 4. Widely circulated rumors are revealing that the Eagles have no interesting going anywhere besides defensive or offensive line with the first pick, that is if they do stay in the top five.
Wednesday evening, NFL.com’s Albert Breer said “there’s a lot of mystery about (the No. 4 pick) … One rival GM referred to the Eagles as this years draft’s swing state.” Breer also noted that if Philly stays put then it could come down to defensive tackle Star Lotulelei, edge rusher Dion Jordan or one of the elite offensive tackles.
My hunch says that head coach Chip Kelly would only stay put at No. 4 only to take Jordan, but has either learned or is fearing that the Jacksonville Jaguars will take him at No. 2. Kelly’s history of coaching Jordan at Oregon combined with the Eagles’ switch to a 3-4 defense makes this an especially popular pick in mock drafts, which seem largely to peg Jordan to Philly or Jax.
I would imagine the San Diego Chargers are on the phone to Eagles GM Howie Roseman, as they are desperate to add one of the elite tackles that will probably leave the board before their first pick at No. 11, or perhaps even by pick No. 5. MockDraftable.com’s pick trade calculator makes it seem that getting the Chargers’ first and second rounders for the Eagles’ first and fourth is potentially viable. Look for teams with a need at offensive tackle to swoop into that No. 4 spot and provide a nice trade-down partner with Philly.
According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, “Roseman’s willingness to unload the fourth overall pick comes as little surprise. Many analysts consider the top of the draft devoid of premier talent. Eagles coach Chip Kelly said last week that there weren’t any ‘can’t miss’ prospects in the class.”
No better time than the day of the draft to have fun with draft-pick trade calculators! Click here for similar articles and the latest in my Rant Sports NFL archive.
Thomas Emerick is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @ThomasEmerick, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
