Philadelphia Eagles: NFL Draft Live Blog
Three hours until the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft begins and there are rumblings that the Eagles and New York Jets could be talking about a trade.
The rumor has Philly sending left tackle Andre Dillard and its 21st pick to the Jets in exchange for New York's 11th pick.
The Jets' GM is Joe Douglas, who spent the previous three seasons with the Eagles as general manager Howie Roseman's right-hand man, and the two men are good friends.
Dillard was the Eagles' first-round pick last year. The team traded up three places, swapping picks with the Baltimore Ravens to do so.
Perhaps Dillard was more of a Douglas guy in last year's draft and influenced Roseman to trade up and grab him.
Still, it feels a little early to give up on Dillard at this point. As a rookie, he made four starts, one of them at right tackle. That start did not go well, and Dillard was benched at halftime.
During the week leading up to that right tackle start against the Seattle Seahawks, Dillard said he had never played right tackle in his life and didn't seem very happy about having to do it.
In three starts at left tackle, Dillard faced the pass-rushing likes of Chicago's Khalil Mack, Dallas' Robert Quinn and Minnesota's Everson Griffin and held up relatively well against those accomplished pass rushers.
Dillard needed to get stronger this offseason, and presumably did, though nobody would know for sure since Phase One of the offseason training program had to be canceled due to restrictions put in place to combat COVID-19.
If the Eagles do indeed deal Dillard, they could re-sign Jason Peters, a free agent whose market has yet to develop. Peters is 38, but manned the Eagles' left side for the previous 11 seasons in Hall of Fame fashion.
Roseman, however, said he wanted his team to get younger this offseason. Bringing back Peters would go against that desire.
In my opinion, this deal feels like more smoke than fire.
6:00
The Joe Douglas/Howie Roseman rumors won't quit. Along with the Andre Dillard rumblings comes news that the Eagles could be looking to move up with the Jets using Rasul Douglas as bait.
Rasul Douglas, a third-round pick in 2017 during Joe Douglas' first draft in Philadelphia, has been on the block this offseason in advance of the final year of his rookie deal as the odd man out in the Eagles' revamped depth chart at cornerback.
In this incarnation of the deal, Philadelphia would presumably move up ten spots to pick the receiver of its choice by giving the Jets No. 21, along with Rasul and another later-round draft choice.
Like the Dillard speculation, this seems like some taking Roseman's tongue and cheek pre-draft request of "Joe Douglas call me," a little too seriously.
6:25
The Eagles are reportedly in on trade discussions with the San Francisco 49ers for veteran receiver Marquise Goodwin, according to 97.5 The Fanatic's Natalie Egenolf.
Goodwin is certainly on the trade market but this one doesn't make a lot of sense when you take into account Howie Roseman's desire to get younger and the organization's trouble with injuries over the past few seasons.
At 29, Goodwin finished the 2019 season on injured reserve with chronic knee and ankle problems.
During his three seasons in San Francisco, Goodwin had only 91 receptions for 1,543 yards and had just 12 catches for 186 yards in nine games last season.
What Goodwin can do when healthy is run and that's obviously a need for the Eagles. The former Olympic track and field athlete is also signed through 2021 and carries a relatively cap-friendly $3.95 million salary for 2020.
When you are projecting help for Carson Wentz, however, a player like Goodwin would be deep down the contingencies for Roseman.
7:50
Did DeSean Jackson offer a spoiler for the Eagles' draft?
Apropos for the first virtual draft in history Jackson and former teammate LeSean McCoy took their conversation live on Instagram and the veteran receiver said Howie Roseman wants to complement him with more speed.
"I don’t want to spill the beans, but I think they’re gonna go try and get a speedster to go opposite me," Jackson told McCoy.
Shady, by the way, was wearing an Eagles jersey for those hoping he might return to the nest.
8:06
A moment of silence to honor the victims of COVID-19. Strong start by NFL, from Roger Goodell's opening to Harry Connick, Jr's, national anthem
FIRST ROUND
PICK No. 1
The Bengals select QB Joe Burrow, LSU. The draft starts late, with Goodell saying the draft is now open at 8:16 p.m.
It begins very anti-climactically. It's been known for weeks, months even, that Burrow was going to be the pick here. The quarterback who won the Heisman and national title heads back to his home state. My question: What happens how with Andy Dalton, who started 133 games for Cincy after being taken in the second round of the 2011 draft.
Pick No. 2
Things just got a little tougher for the Eagles offensive line.
With the second pick in the draft, the Washington Redskins selected former Ohio State star Chase Young, the top edge rusher in the class. Young joins a D-Line already loaded with talent and former first-round picks like Jonathan Allen, Da'Ron Payne, Montez Sweat and Ryan Kerrigan.
Ironically, Nick Bosa, also an edge rusher from Ohio State, was the No. 2 overall selection last year.
Pick No. 3
The Lions were believed to be in discussions to trade out of this pick, but they stay put and do the expected - take CB Jeff Okudah. That's back-to-back Buckeyes, and actually first pick Joe Burrow was teammates with both Young and Okudah at OSU in 2017 before transferring. Okudah will make up for the trade of Darius Slay to Eagles.
Pick No. 4
The New York Giants reportedly tried to trade down out of this spot, but it did not happen. Neither did the popular mock pick of OT Tristan Wirfs. Instead, GM Dave Gettleman went with Andrew Thomas from Georgia. Thomas is the first of several OTs expected to get picked in the first round.
Pick No. 5
Turns out tanking for Tua worked. The Miami Dolphins got their quarterback of the future and didn't have to move up to do it, selecting Alabama's Tua Tagovailoa. Virtually the only concern with Tua was the dislocated hip that ended his college career and there were rumors that a number of teams removed him from their draft boards due to long-term health concerns. That wasn't the case for the Dolphins.
Pick No. 6
Quarterbacks go back-to-back as the Los Angeles Chargers keep Oregon signal caller Justin Herbert on the west coast. The strong-armed Herbert figures to be on the field sooner rather than later for the Chargers who have penciled in Tyrod Taylor as their starter. With the move into a new multi-billion facility, however, and the Chargers standing as second fiddle to the LA Rams, a new face of the franchise is in the offing for the 'Bolts.
Pick No. 7
With the 7th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers take DT Derrick Brown. Hybrid defender Isaiah Simmons remains on the board. Meanwhile, Brown is a beast on the field and has political aspirations off the field. He's 6-5, 318 and 12.5 sacks in four years at Auburn and 33 tackles for loss.
Pick No. 8
The Arizona Cardinals had a number of options but ultimately went with the most versatile back-seven player in the draft in Clemson's Isaiah Simmons. A Swiss Army knife, Simmons is the poster child for the position-less player narrative that is all the rave in the scouting community.
Pick No. 9
The second cornerback comes off the board in the top 10 as the Jacksonville Jaguars select Florida's C.J. Henderson. Okudah was the first CB off the board at No. 3. Now Henderson.
The Jags could have started the WR run early, because they could certainly use some help for QB Gardner Minshew. That might've sent some panic into the Eagles and their fans. Instead, they go defense and Henderson doesn't have to go very far to join his new team.
Pick No. 10
A little surprise with the Cleveland Browns and Alabama's Jedrick Wills, who played right tackle in college. The fact that the Browns needed OL help was no secret but after Jack Conklin was signed in free agency and left tackles Tristan Wirfs and Mekhi Becton still available that might have been a more natural fit but Cleveland personnel chief Andrew Berry, the former Eagles' VP of football operations, feels Wills has the athleticism to play LT.
Pick No. 11
A lot of pre-draft hype [see above] with the Eagles moving up the board with the help of their old friend Joe Douglas but no dice. The Jets stayed home to take left tackle Mekhi Becton. It's no secret Douglas likes to build up front and Becton may offer the highest ceiling of any of the OT prospects in the draft,
Pick No. 12
The Las Vegas Raiders take the first WR off the board and it's not CeeDee Lamb. It is Henry Ruggs, the speedster from Bama and someone that could've really juiced up the Eagles offense.
The WR run starts now. Would not be surprised to see Lamb go to 49ers and Jeudy to Brocons at 15. We'll see.
Pick No. 13
Finally a trade. The 49ers fall back and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers move up to protect their soon-to-be 43-year-old quarterback Tom Brady by selecting OT Tristan Wirfs, a player many had as the No. 1 rated OT on the board. The Niners moved down just one spot and gave up a seventh-round pick to get No. 117 overall.
Pick No. 14
After trading back a spot, the San Francisco 49ers make the Eagles very happy by not taking a WR. The Niners take DT Javon Kinlaw, a great story and a great pick. The Eagles could be in business at 21, with CeeDee Lamb, Jeudy and Justin Jefferson still on the board.
Pick No. 15
The second receiver is off the board as the Denver Broncos take Ruggs' Alabama teammate, Jerry Jeudy, perhaps the most well-rounded option in the class. Late rumors of a degenerative knee condition had no real effect on Jeudy's draft stock as he came off the board in the area expected.
Pick No. 16
The Atlanta Falcons were believed in major efforts to trade up. Unable to find a dance partner, though, they stayed put and selected CB A.J. Terrell from Clemson. Terrell is the third CB taken tonight, joining Jeff Okudah and C.J. Henderson. A bit of a surprise that Atlanta didn't go with an edge rusher like LSU's K'Lavon Chaisson.
Pick No. 17
Jerry Jones was left to his own devices and veered off the thought that the Dallas Cowboys needed help in the defensive backfield, instead taking Oklahoma WR CeeDee Lamb with the 17th pick. Lamb was graded by most as the top WR in the class and it was a surprise he lasted this long.
Pick No. 18
After a great pick by the Cowboys, disappointing Eagles fans everywhere, the Dolphins keep Eagles hopes alive for taking Justin Jefferson after Dolphins select OT Austin Jackson. A proterctor for Tua.
Pick No. 19
The Raiders take the second Ohio State cornerback of the first round in Damon Arnette, a player most had tagged for the second round. That leaves only the Jags between Justin Jefferson and the Eagles.
Pick No. 20
Jacksonville Jaguars select LSU edge rusher K'Lavon Chaisson, leaving Justin Jefferson for Eagles if they want him.
Pick No. 21
The Eagles did go WR but they chose the vertical threat of TCU WR Jalen Reagor over the route-running and inside work of Justin Jefferson.
Pick No. 22
The Vikings, who traded Stefon Diggs to Buffalo this offseason, wasted no time selecting Jefferson to team with Adam Thielen.
Pick No. 23
The LA Chargers went with LB Kenneth Murray, who was often paired with the Eagles late in the process.
Pick No. 24
The New Orleans Saints selected a new pivot man for Drew Brees in star Michigan OC Carlos Ruiz, a South Jersey native.
Pick No. 25
The 49ers came up from 31 to select Arizona State WR Brandon Aiyuk, another space player the Eagles had significant interest in. Minnesota dropped down, a Rick Spielman trademark.
Pick No. 26
Favre, Rodgers and Jordan Love. Can the Packers really get three straight generations of great QB play? They came up to find out.
Pick No. 27
Maybe the biggest surprise is John Schneider not falling back out of the first round like he usually does. Instead, he took athletic LB Jordyn Brooks to team with the great Bobby Wagner.
Pick No. 28
The rest of the league makes it too easy on the Ravens at times when it comes to defensive playmakers. LSU LB Patrick Queen is the latest who should fit in nicely in the Charm City.
Pick No. 29
The Georgia bookend tackles are both first-rounders. Isaiah Wilson should be Jack Conklin's replacement in Tennessee and joins No. 4 overall pick Andrew Thomas as a Day 1 Bulldogs selection.
Pick No. 30
The Dolphins first-round haul finished with Auburn CB Noah Igbinoghene, a player most had ticketed for the second day.
Pick No. 31
The Vikings needed to get Mike Zimmer a new cornerback after losing three in free agency and TCU's Jeff Gladney should team with Mike Hughes and Holton Hill to improve the outside play for the Vikings.
Pick No. 32
A dynamic back added to Patrick Mahomes' toolbox. Get ready NFL, life isn't going to be fair with LSU's Clyde Edwards-Helaire headed to Kansas City.
