NFL Tickets
The Philadelphia Eagles are still looking to fix their quarterback inconsistency despite two multi-year signings this offseason, and they’ll likely address it further in the 2016 NFL Draft.
Sam Bradford was brought in last year by former head coach Chip Kelly but, despite the hype surrounding the acquisition, it never unfolded the way fans had hoped. Bradford played in 14 games, throwing 19 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. The Eagles finished 7-9 and fired Kelly at season’s end.
Bradford’s future with the team was uncertain. The Eagles inherited a one-year contract when they swapped quarterbacks with the Los Angeles Rams, therefore forcing a decision following the conclusion of 2015. New head coach Doug Pederson and the front office opted to sign Bradford to a two-year contract worth $35 million. It was slightly cheaper than applying the franchise tag, which would’ve paid Bradford the average salary of the five highest paid quarterbacks last season ($19.95 million).
The new contract does not signify complete trust in the quarterback, though. They signed career backup Chase Daniel to a three-year deal worth $21 million. Daniel was sought after this offseason, but he has only 77 career pass attempts. He’s certainly not someone you want to immediately place your future in the hands of if Bradford can’t perform.
You might say that the Eagles should go with what they’ve got this season and if it fails, draft a young guy in 2017. They could go that route, but there’s much more potential and upside in the mid-round quarterbacks this season than there normally is. I’d be surprised if they targeted anyone in the first round due to their other needs, but it’s a deep class with first-round talent projected in the second round.
Cal‘s Jared Goff and North Dakota State‘s Carson Wentz will each likely go in the top 10. Memphis‘ Paxton Lynch could be taken in the middle of the first round, but if he falls beyond St. Louis at No. 15, I would expect that he’ll drop to the second round. The Eagles don’t currently have a second-round pick but one is attainable if they want to take a shot at a quarterback.
Michigan State‘s Connor Cook and Penn State‘s Christian Hackenberg are also first-round talents who have been given second-round grades. Hackenberg met with Philadelphia following his strong pro day performance, and the best situation for him is to go somewhere in which he won’t have to start from day one. Either Bradford or Daniel will start opening weekend, so he might be a good option.
If the Eagles opt not to trade up for a second-round pick and none of the top-five graded quarterbacks fall to the third, Mississippi State‘s Dak Prescott should be there. He’s also a high-potential player who’s had recent off-the-field problems that may have hurt his draft stock.
Philadelphia may not have a solidified starter at the position, but they have options for the future. It may cost them a few wins in 2016, but they should have a pretty good idea of the direction they want go in by the end of the season.
Share 
