Recent NFL Rumors suggest that the Philadelphia Eagles are considering taking a quarterback with their first round selection. After their already active off season at the position, that would seem like an odd move.
The Philadelphia Eagles have been an active team this off season, with the quarterback position not being an exception. The Eagles not only re-signed last year’s starter Sam Bradford to a two-year, $35 million deal, they brought in free agent Chase Daniel on a three-year, $21 million deal to battle Bradford for the starting job.
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With a lot of financial resources tied up into the position, quarterback would not seem to be much of a position of worry for the Eagles in the 2016 NFL Draft. However, that does not seem to be the case.
In back-to-back tweets posted on Wednesday morning, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport mentioned the Eagles working out the best quarterbacks in this draft class.
The #Eagles will work out NDSU QB Carson Wentz today, source said. They had #Stanford QB Kevin Hogan yesterday, Cal QB Jared Goff on Monday
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 30, 2016
#Eagles QB caravan rolls on Thursday when they work out #Memphis QB Paxton Lynch. They're serious, with owner Jeffrey Lurie on each trip
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 30, 2016
Carson Wentz, Jared Goff and Paxton Lynch are all extremely likely to be chosen in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft. So, why are the Eagles putting the full-court pressure on these players. Would they really consider taking a quarterback with the eight overall pick? With all of that money tied up into the position it seems unlikely.
However Rapoport is extremely plugged in and if he is noting the Eagles’ interest in the top players at the position in the draft, it is important to take note. Wentz, Goff and Lynch are all great quarterback prospects, but each player needs some time to develop. Perhaps that is what the Eagles are thinking?
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They could take a quarterback at number eight and sit him down on the bench while Daniel and Bradford fight it out for the starting job. If the Eagles take one of the quarterbacks, they would be groomed to take over the starting job as soon as they are ready.
I guess I understand the reasoning in a vacuum, but I still strongly believe that the team is much better off taking someone like RB Ezekiel Elliott or CB Vernon Hargreaves. By the time someone who needs development like Wentz or Lynch is ready to compete for Philadelphia a true superstar back like Elliott could absolutely be on top of the league.
It is important to note that this could just be smoke from the Eagles. I could certainly see the team chasing the quarterback position in visits, but never actually having any interest in taking one at number eight.
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Bradford and Daniel are enough. The Eagles would not be wise to spend an extremely valuable pick on a player who is not going to play for two years in a best case scenario. Taking a more proven player who can come in and contribute right away would be a much better plan of attack for Philadelphia.