The first round of the 2019 NFL Drafts is in the books, but the picking is just getting started — especially for the Eagles.
The Eagles have already selected Washington State offensive tackle Andre Dillard, but with two picks in the second round (No. 53 and 57) on Friday night, their work is far from over. The team still has both immediate-and-long term needs at defensive end, defensive tackle, running back and receiver.
Here are the five best players at key positions that are still available after the first round:
Running back:
Miles Sanders, Penn State
Darrell Henderson, Memphis
Devin Singletary, Florida Atlanta
Damien Harris, Alabama
Trayveon Williams, Texas A&M
Analysis: The ability to catch the ball out of the backfield is likely the top requirement for any running back the Eagles draft this year, and all five of the listed players have the ability to do just that. Henderson finished last season with 295 yards on just 19 catches, an average of 15.5 yards-per-catch. The 2.8 yards per route run that Henderson averaged last season was best in college football among running backs. Sanders ran routes out of the slot last season. Williams caught 27 passes for 278 yards. If the Eagles do take a running back it would likely be by either trading into the third round or in the fourth round.
Wide Receivers:
Parris Campbell, Ohio State
A.J. Brown, Ole Miss
Deebo Samuel, South Carolina
D.K. Metcalf, Ole Miss
JJ Arcega-Whiteside, Stanford
Analysis: The Eagles can go a number of different ways at receiver. They can try to add speed by selecting Campbell, a big-play receiver who could also contribute right away on special teams. They could go with a slot receiver by adding Brown. Or, if he falls far enough, they could take a chance on one of the best athletes in the draft in Metcalf. With Nelson Agholor reportedly on the trade block, DeSean Jackson at 32-years old and Alshon Jeffery not showing great chemistry with Wentz on the field, the Eagles need at receiver is a real one.
Offensive Guard:
Michael Deiter, Wisconsin
Nate Davis, Charlotte
Connor McGovern, Penn State
Michael Jordan, Ohio State
Dru Samia, Oklahoma
Analysis: The Eagles passed on Cody Ford for Dillard, so their need for an offensive guard prospects is still a very real one. Davis, 6-foot, 317 pounds, is one of the best interior offensive linemen in the draft and could very well be a target at either 53 or 57. Davis is a great athlete for the position and offers position versatility, as he spent time at both right guard and right tackle in college.
Defensive End:
Jaylon Ferguson, Louisiana Tech
D'Andre Walker, Georgia
Oshane Ximines, Old Dominion
Joe Jackson, Miami
Maxx Crosby, Eastern Michigan
Analysis: The Eagles saw a whopping 13 defensive linemen go off the board in the first round, so although there are still some talented players left, they won't be getting the same caliber of player now that they would have in the 1st round. Ferguson is likely their best bet at finding a steal in the second round. Ferguson finished his final season at Louisiana Tech with 63 total pressures — 39 quarterback hurries, 18 quarterback hits, 13 quarterback knockdowns and 17.5 sacks.
Defensive Tackle:
Charles Omenihu, Texas
Dre'Mont Jones, Ohio State
Gerald Willis III, Miami
Zach Allen, Boston College
Khalen Saunders, Western Illinois
Analysis:Like defensive end, there was indeed a run on defensive tackles, a run the Eagles missed out on despite their efforts to move up for Christian Wilkins. One player that could end up being a steal in the second round? Omenihu out of Texas, who finished last season with a whopping 37 quarterback pressures, according to Sports Info Solutions.
Cornerback:
Rock Ya-Sin, Temple
Byron Murphy, Washington
Amani Oruwairye, Penn State
Isiah Johnson, Houston
Greedy Williams, LSU
Analysis:There was only one cornerback taken on Thursday night, meaning the Eagles can still have a chance at some of the top prospects at the position if they want. It would be surprising if either Williams or Murphy lasted to them at No. 53 or 57, but local product Ya-Sin could be an intriguing option, considering the many questions marks the Eagles have at cornerback.
Safety:
Nassir Adderley, Delaware
Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, S, Florida
Juan Thornhill, S, Virginia
Taylor Rapp, Washington
Amani Hooker, Iowa
Analysis:The Eagles will be taking a safety in this year's draft — it is just a matter of when and who. The good news for the Eagles is that there are still plenty of versatile options at safety. Gardner-Johnson, Thornhill and Hooker all spent time at slot receiver last season, but still have the speed to play centerfield if needed. Of all the positions, safety seems like most likely to be a target with one of the team's second-round picks.
You can follow Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
