Four Moves I Would Make If I Was Eagles GM Howie Roseman: WR Becomes Top Priority

Ten practices are in for the Philadelphia Eagles, enough of a sample size to learn what areas where the team needs to be addressed.

Those answers aren't as obvious as they were prior to training camp. The Eagles actually have good interior offensive line depth, which didn't appear to be the case heading into camp. This is the cause and effect of drafting and developing.

Other areas of the roster need to be addressed, which is what we're going to do if we were Howie Roseman. This is the blueprint for Roseman for the rest of camp (not like he needs one), but more of a guideline.

What is Roseman thinking -- and how will he fix it?

1. Acquire a WR

Some Eagles fans are trying to convince themselves the wide receiver group is better than it was last seaosn. That was never going to be the case.

A team doesn't trade a top-5 wide receiver in A.J. Brown and improves at the position. That's crazy talk.

Don't be fooled. The Eagles aren't better at wide receiver.

The Eagles were banking on Makai Lemon to be an immediate contributor. That isn't going to happen since hamstring injuries have kept Lemon off the field. He just hasn't gotten the reps needed in this offense to be the WR3, although Lemon could significantly contribute later this year.

What the Eagles should do is add veteran receiver help to ease Lemon in, allowing him more time to catch up. DeVonta Smith is the WR1 and Dontayvion Wicks is the WR2, but it remains to be seen who will be the WR3.

Darius Cooper is making his case to play, but going from a WR5 to starter is a tall task. Perhaps Hollywood Brown gets out of his funk and becomes a contributor (instead of a cut candidate) or Elijah Moore can fill the void for a few weeks (assuming he makes the team).

If I told you Wicks was going to be the WR2 and Cooper the WR3 in June, many would be on red alert for a wide receiver. This is a move -- free agent or trade -- the Eagles may need to make.

Find a WR3 or WR4 to help out this team until Lemon is ready. The Eagles definitely aren't better at wide receiver. You're lying to yourself if you believe that.

2. Do not trade any of these camp standouts

The Eagles could improve in a few areas on their roster. They don't have to weaken depth at one position to strengthen another -- so no player-for-player swaps.

This includes Byron Young, who is one of a few players that has had a strong camp and should have more playing time this year (even as the No. 4 defensive tackle). The Eagles have tremendous depth at the position with Young and should keep him around -- instead of pulling a Thomas Booker and trading a starting-caliber player for a position they could improve upon.

The same goes for any of the wide receivers the Eagles don't keep. They need depth at that position, even if the wide receiver doesn't play much. Basically, don't trade Elijah Moore for a late round pick.

Fred Johnson is a cut candidate, but it would be hard to trade him too. There's just no depth behind him at tackle -- even if Johnson loses the No. 3 tackle job to Markel Bell.

Bryon Young and Michael Carter are on the "do not trade" list. For the record, I don't think the Eagles will trade either. I wouldn't trade Nolan Smith either -- at least this year.

3. Bring back Brandon Graham

I don't care how old Brandon Graham is. He should be back on this team for one final season -- even at 38.

The Eagles aren't asking Graham to be a major contributor to the pass rush. They have Jalyx Hunt, Nolan Smith, Arnold Ebiketie, and A.J. Epenesa at pass rusher currently.

Here's why Graham should be back. Jonathan Greenard is on the PUP list and the Eagles aren't likely to see him for a few weeks. There are questions whether Greenard will be ready for Week 1, which is a month away.

Why rush Greenard back when you don't have to? An easy way to accomplish this is to bring Graham back next week, as Graham wanted to come back sometime in camp to get in football shape. Graham can get ready for the year and provide added insurance as a No. 5 pass rusher.

The Eagles can also move Graham inside as added depth at defensive tackle behind the top four. Why not bring him back for one more year?

This isn't a desperation move, but a move to buy Greenard more time and carry Graham as an extra defensive lineman the entire year. If Graham wants to come back, why not let him go one more season.

4. Acquire a safety

I'm perfectly fine if the Eagles decided to roll with Marcus Epps or Michael Carter at safety. Both players have been fine this training camp and can get the job done on the back end.

If Epps or Carter win the job, the Eagles can survive. With that being said, there's room to improve.

The Eagles spend just over $8 million on the safety position, the lowest amount in the NFL. There isn't depth behind Epps or Carter, even with either starting next to Andrew Mukuba.

Could the Eagles use a No. 4 safety? Absolutely, but I wouldn't mind giving Andre Sam or Maximus Pulley a chance. I don't think they go that route.

A starting safety could still be in play here, and the Eagles shouldn't have too much troble finding one if they get creative. Perhaps converting a cornerback into a safety again -- or maybe that player is Carter?

This isn't a priority by any stretch, but it helps on the back end with the pass rush the Eagles are going to have.

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