The NFL Combine is set to begin, which means it is time for Howie Roseman and the Eagles to start to finalize their board for the 2019 NFL Draft.
The draft is a critical one, considering the desperate need for an infusion of youth on the team, and the fact that the team's window to win might be closing. A strong draft could push that window back open for years to come.
With so much pressure on this draft, chances are Roseman will rely heavily on what he believes in, and won't get too cute with trying to reach or overthink things.
So what does history show?
Since 2010, when Roseman was made general manager of the team, he has overseen eight drafts, making a 64 picks in the process.
Here is a look at how those picks have been distributed, excluding the 2015 draft that he spent on the other side of the building while Chip Kelly ran the show.
Defensive backs: 15
Defensive line: 12
Offensive line: 10
Linebackers: 8
Wide receiver: 6
Running backs: 6
Quarterbacks: 3
Tight ends: 3
Special teams: 1
As you can see, Roseman has shown a tendency to go with defensive backs and the defensive line, while he has invested far fewer draft picks into skill position players on the offense, like running back and wide receiver.
There are two interesting takeaways from a look back at Roseman's history in the draft.
The first is that Roseman has tried, tried and tried again in the secondary. The majority of those players (eight) were cornerbacks. Entering 2019, however, they still have questions at the position. Ronald Darby might not be back. Jalen Mills is coming off of a foot injury. Sidney Jones has been a disappointment so far, dealing with injuries throughout his first two years. The only two sure things at the position might be Avonte Maddox and Rasul Douglas, with Cre'von LeBlanc potentially on that list as well.
The questions at the position have led plenty of early NFL Mock Draft to project the Eagles will take a cornerback or safety. Roseman's history in the draft seems to back up the prediction.
The second takeaway is that Roseman's love for taking defensive linemen might very well match up with the best player on the board when the Eagles go on the clock at No. 25 overall. This year's draft is considered very deep along the defensive line, with an especially talented pool of defensive tackles. The Eagles have a massive need at defensive tackle, and history shows Roseman will lean towards the defensive line if presented with a handful of players to choose from at No. 25.
In fact, Roseman has made seven first-round picks in his career -- and six of them have been linemen.
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
