Eagles Still Have Three Areas That Could Use Proofing in NFL Draft
PHILADELPHIA - The second wave of NFL free agency is slowing to a trickle but there is more work to be done by Philadelphia Eagles GM Howie Roseman en route to draft-proofing the offseason roster.
Roseman has been busy signing deals with splashy players like running back Saquon Barkley, ascending edge defender Bryce Huff, and a reunion with playmaking defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson. There's been lottery tickets like former All-Pro Devin White at off-ball linebacker down to solid potential depth moves at receiver (DeVante Parker), the offensive line (Matt Hennessy), Edge (Zack Baun), and linebacker (Oren Burks).
Roseman even kickstarted the quarterback factory by trading 2024 draft position and a couple of late-round 2025 picks to get former Pittsburgh starter Kenny Pickett as a cost-effective backup for Jalen Hurts through 2025.
Most GMs like to have contingencies in place at every position to stem the desire to reach at any point during the draft and Roseman could still use a body for these three particular roles:
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WR3: At 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, Parker, 31, is a big-bodied, contested-catch wideout who has trouble generating consistent separation at this stage of his career. If Parker sticks on the 53 this summer, his role will likely be as a backup outside the numbers, not as the WR3 in 11 personnel with A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.
While Brown and Smith are gifted enough to move between X, Z, and the flex positions, Philadelphia still needs a more traditional slot player, who can win option routes with short-area quickness.
Most of the developmental players on future contracts (Joseph Ngata, Shaquan Davis, Jacon Harris, and Griffin Hebert) are big-bodied receivers like Parker and the only real option that could fit the definition that the Eagles need on the current offseason roster is star punt returner Britain Covey, who the Eagles seem to believe is a little too undersized to factor into the offense consistently.
SWING TACKLE: The Eagles lost Jack Driscoll in free agency to Miami and if there were a game this weekend, the game-day swing tackle would likely either be Fred Johnson or veteran Le’Raven Clark.
Philadelphia thought enough of Johnson to rip up his futures contract last summer and sign him to a two-year deal but he’s unproven and any confidence is a projection. Clark, 30, has started 18 NFL games but the Eagles seem to have penciled in as a scout-team player whose savvy can help younger players develop, a role Clark has already excelled in with star left tackle Jordan Mailata.
A veteran with some experience on a prove-it deal is probably needed although it's also understandable why the organization would trust Jeff Stoutland's developmental abilities.
SLOT CORNERBACK: At some point, the Eagles hope that Isaiah Rodgers is reinstated by the NFL from his gambling suspension while Zech McPhearson is expected back from a torn Achilles that wiped out his 2023 season.
Each projects better inside than ducks out of the water like lengthy outside CBs James Bradberry or Eli Ricks, who were forced to play inside too much last season.
The problem is that neither Rodgers nor McPhearson has any real experience playing in the slot. From a physical standpoint, Rodgers projects better inside but played outside in Indianapolis due to the presence of Kenny Moore. McPhearson was set to backup Avonte Maddox in the slot last season for the Eagles before getting injured at Baltimore in the preseason.
Penciling in either is fine as a placeholder for now but an experienced slot player should be added.
