For instance, getting Jordan Matthews some help at wide receiver.
By Ben Sullivan
Forget the silliness of trading up to draft Marcus Mariota. The Eagles have other, far more pressing needs:
Wide receiver
Some Eagles fans would argue that quarterback is the team’s biggest need, even after the trade for Sam Bradford. And I wouldn’t put it past Chip Kelly to flip Bradford in a move up for Marcus Mariota. But as it stands currently, wideout is a more glaring hole. Jordan Matthews flashed the ability to handle a lot of volume as a rookie, but is primarily a slot receiver. Riley Cooper is one of the least effective starting wideouts in the game. 2014 third-round pick Josh Huff is intriguing but unproven. Kelly values size and agility in his wide receiver corps. Kelly’s wideouts also must be able to block.
Safety
Malcolm Jenkins solidified one of the Eagles’ safety positions last offseason, but Nate Allen left in free agency. Earl Wolff, Ed Reynolds and Chris Maragos haven’t proven to be starting-caliber commodities. Eagles DC Billy Davis utilizes his cornerbacks in press-man coverage, which places a premium on range in the deep middle.
Outside linebacker
The Eagles will promote Brandon Graham into a full-time role opposite Connor Barwin, but rush linebacker remains a needy position after last year’s first-round whiff on Marcus Smith. Davis’ defense would be in a lot of trouble if something happened to Graham or Barwin. Planning to jettison LG Evan Mathis and already having parted with RG Todd Herremans, the Eagles are also likely to target athletic interior offensive linemen in the draft. As Davis doesn’t seem convinced slot specialist Brandon Boykin can hang outside, perimeter corner is one more question mark at the position opposite new RCB Byron Maxwell. The current in-house options include Nolan Carroll and injury-riddled Walter Thurmond III.
Eagles Current First-Team Offense
QB: Sam Bradford
RB: DeMarco Murray
WR: Jordan Matthews
WR: Riley Cooper
TE: Brent Celek
TE: Zach Ertz
LT: Jason Peters
LG: Evan Mathis
C: Jason Kelce
RG: Allen Barbre
RT: Lane Johnson
Eagles Current First-Team Defense
LE: Cedric Thornton
RE: Fletcher Cox
NT: Bennie Logan
OLB: Connor Barwin
OLB: Brandon Graham
ILB: Mychal Kendricks
ILB: Kiko Alonso
CB: Byron Maxwell
CB: Brandon Boykin
FS: Earl Wolff
SS: Malcolm Jenkins
