The NFL Draft is now just eight days away, a critical draft for the Eagles considering they have three picks in the first two rounds and the potential of a Carson Wentz extension hanging over their heads.
On Tuesday the team's top two decision makers — Howie Roseman and Joe Douglas — sat down with the media for a little over 30 minutes to answer questions about next week's draft.
As is always the case, Roseman and Douglas didn't want to give away any secrets or tips on what they might do next week. Especially this late in the process.
Still, reading between the lines of what they said, here are some takeaways:
They prefer a linemen: The Eagles want to draft a linemen with their first pick. That much is clear after Roseman discussed at length how important it is to build this team from the lines-out, and how he was essentially raised in the NFL to have that belief. Douglas also hinted at a linemen early on when he said that history in the NFL shows the elite defensive tackles often come in the first two rounds. The draft board could break a number of different ways, causing the Eagles to go in a different direction, but if they have their way, they will be selecting a player either along the offensive or defensive line in the first round.
They like their cornerbacks: The Eagles are never going to completely rule out taking a certain position, and anything is possible. Roseman and Douglas did their best to convince the assembled media on Tuesday, however, that they remain very confident in their young group of cornerbacks. Roseman highlighted the youth they have at the position and the resources they have invested in them. He also brought up how they re-signed Ronald Darby. Douglas spoke at length about how the team still has faith in Sidney Jones, even highlighting certain games the second-year cornerback played well in. Despite all of that, there is a strong argument to be made that cornerback is a need. Roseman and Douglas did their best to make it seem they don't see it that way, however.
Running back early finally feels possible: Roseman was asked specifically about the idea that he doesn't value the running back position. His answer was interesting, as he highlighted all of the elite running backs the team had when Roseman was in his early days with the team — Duce Staley, Brian Westbrook, LeSean McCoy. Even after the trade for Jordan Howard, I wouldn't rule out the Eagles taking a running back with one of their two second-round picks. Taking a running back at No. 25 still feels like a stretch.
They might not draft a quarterback: Owner Jeffrey Lurie said at the NFL Annual Meetings that he would like to get back to drafting young quarterbacks to develop. Roseman might see things a little differently. Roseman said that by having Nate Sudfeld in the building the last two seasons, being able to develop him almost makes him in some ways like a mid-round pick, which is likely the highest the Eagles would have taken a quarterback anyway. Sudfeld is still just 25-years old and will likely be the backup this season. If the Eagles don't draft a quarterback, Sudfeld will likely be the reason why.
You can follow Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
