The Eagles Need To Draft A Player Who Helps Them Now, Not Just in 3 Years
This is a very important draft for the Eagles. Howie has mostly done a good job in the offseason, apart from giving Haason Reddick. But if the Eagles are going to be competitive this season, they need to nail the draft. Which is why they can’t just go with the generic “Best Player Available,” it needs to be the best player who helps them right now.
There is so much talk about taking the future replacement for Lane Johnson. And that is a need they need to think about. But Lane has at least 2 years left in him, maybe more. Anyone they draft to replace him could be waiting for 2 seasons before they play a snap at RT. That is not a luxury they have with their 1st round pick this year.
There is this narrative that the Eagles need to think of the future and not just the present. It’s true, you don’t draft someone specifically to help you next year. But that doesn’t mean you throw the next two years out the window.
The Eagles Could Play That RT At RG
If they take someone who can play RG for 2 years, and then slide to RT whenever Lane retires, awesome. In that case, it would be a player who helps them now, and in the future.
A player like JC Latham would be perfect for that. He played guard his first season at Bama, before sliding over to Tackle. A player like Amarius Mims, who has no experience at guard, and by most accounts is not a good fit at guard, would not be ideal.
They cannot draft someone, who might redshirt for the next two seasons. At least not with their 1st round pick. 2nd round? That is a different conversation. But they have too many needs to take someone who wont play until 2026 at the earliest.
There is also the question of if a RG is the best value, now or long term. Is the jump from Tyler Steen, to whoever they draft larger than the jump from whoever they have at Corner, to who they might draft? Which pick would improve you the most? I don’t think its a RG.
They Have Major Needs Now
The defense is still full of holes. They have 1 starting-caliber corner, 1 healthy starting-caliber safety, and only question marks at linebacker. Those needs don’t necessarily have to be addressed with a 1st round pick, but it is the best option. especially at corner when you have a great draft for corners, with at least 5 guys having 1st round grades.
If they trade up for Terrion Arnold or Quinyon Mitchell, that person can potentially help you win next season, and 8 years from now. They will fill a need, and be among the best players available.
The Next Two Years Is Their Best Window To Win
The Eagles have a lot of good young players to build around long-term on offense. Devonta Smith, Landon Dickerson, Jordan Mailata, and Jalen Hurts are all here until for several years into the future.
With that said, the next two years are still their best chance. Not their only chance, but their best one.
AJ Brown technically has 3-years left on his deal. But after this season, the cap number skyrockets. Jalen Hurts cap number skyrockets after the 2025 season. Dallas Goedert has only 2 years left on his deal. Saquon Barkley is pretty much on a 2-year deal, even though there is an option for a 3rd, and Lane Johnson has said he has 2 good years left.
The time to win is now. Take advantage of Hurts still being relatively affordable. Take advantage of having a future Hall of Famer at RT. And take advantage of having Saquon Barkley. Their offense is pretty much guaranteed to be elite for the next two seasons. Now is the time to win something. But their defense needs to be better if they are going to do that.
The 1st round pick should reflect that. Don’t lose sight of the future, but also don’t obsess so much over it you don’t help yourself in the present.
We saw the difference a top Corner can make with trent McDuffie and the Chiefs. We saw the difference good linebackers can make with both the Chiefs and the Niners.
Use this pick to maximize your chance to win right now. You can always address the future of RT in the 2nd round.
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