The Philadelphia Eagles secured their franchise quarterback when they drafted Carson Wentz number two overall. But they also secured hope for their franchise.
The Los Angels Rams selected former University of California quarterback Jared Goff number one overall in the 2016 NFL Draft, which allowed the Philadelphia Eagles to select former North Dakota State quarterback, Carson Wentz, number two overall.
Some, including myself, would argue that the Eagles actually got the better quarterback even though they had the second choice of the two.
The two quarterbacks will now have their careers compared throughout their journey in the NFL, even if they’ll be different paths, they’ll forever be connected. There will always be a debate on whether the Rams or the Eagles got the better quarterback, but for the Eagles, that shouldn’t matter.
What should matter is that, finally, for the first time since 1999 when they drafted Donovan McNabb number-two overall, the Eagles have locked up their franchise quarterback.
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McNabb played 11 NFL seasons for the Birds and gave Eagles fans some of the greatest moments in Eagles history. When it was all over for McNabb in Philly, he was the Eagles all-time leader in career wins, passing yards and passing touchdowns, however, after the great career that McNabb had in Philadelphia, there was something missing; a Super Bowl victory.
McNabb led the Birds to the Super Bowl in 2004, but was unable to complete the job against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. Fast forward to present time, 2016, and the Eagles still have not won a Super Bowl, which is why the trade to acquire the second overall pick and select Wentz with that pick makes complete sense.
The Eagles know what they are getting with Wentz. He is a big bodied, athletic quarterback that can make every NFL throw. He may have played D1AA football at North Dakota State, but Wentz was a winner in college and the leader of a championship team.
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Standing at 6’5″ and weighing 237lbs, Wentz looks the part, but his game looks even better. Wentz played in a pro style offense in college where he set protections, called audibles and much more that will translate to the NFL game. He throws with great anticipation and has more than enough arm strength to succeed in the NFL. His accuracy may be his best trait because Wentz is able to put the ball where only his wide receiver can catch it. Wentz is the kind of quarterback who beats perfect coverage with a perfect throw.
Wentz is expected to sit behind current Eagles starting quarterback Sam Bradford, but if Bradford is dealt anytime before the season; I fully expect Wentz will be their Week 1 starter. You can explain to fans that Wentz should sit behind Bradford, but good luck trying to act as if Chase Daniel will be a better option than Wentz going forward in 2016.
Regardless of the situation that unfolds in 2016, Wentz is the future of the Eagles going forward and that is why this trade and pick make complete sense.
Bradford was never the future of the Eagles and will never be the future of the Eagles. The Eagles have Daniel as a backup quarterback, but again, the future isn’t bright with a guy that has only throw one touchdown in six NFL seasons.
Wentz has all the talent in the world, but this pick wasn’t made fully off of his talent, it was made off of hope. The Eagles hope that Wentz will be the player that will not only step up as the face of their franchise, but also allow them to hoist their first Lombardi Trophy.
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You can critique the Eagles all you want, but if the Eagles get their first Super Bowl out of this move, it could go down as their greatest move in the history of they franchise.