2019 NFL Draft: Grading the Philadelphia Eagles Day 2 picks

The Philadelphia ended up making two selections, both in the second round, on Day 2 of the 2019 NFL Draft. Did they get them right?

The Philadelphia Eagles traded up in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft from No. 25 to 22 and selected former Washington State offensive tackle Andre Dillard. Philly may not have needed a left tackle this year, but they got Jason Peters’ replacement and the best pass protector in the NFL Draft with the 22nd pick.

It was a great pick for the Eagles and earned an A from me. The Eagles regrouped after the first round of the draft and came into Day 2 with two picks, both in the second round. I thought the Eagles would move around and be more aggressive on Day 2, but the draft fell to them perfectly.

That started with the 53rd pick.

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Round 2, Pick 53: Miles Sanders, RB, Penn State

If you’ve followed me, you know that former Penn State running back Miles Sanders was my draft crush this year. Former Alabama running back Josh Jacobs may have gone in the first round, but Sanders was the best running back in the 2019 NFL Draft class, and the Eagles got him with the 53rd pick.

I have been talking about the Eagles drafting Sanders all draft season, mainly because I felt that Sanders fit what the Eagles like to do more than any other running back in the draft class. Sanders reminds me a lot of LeSean McCoy, but with power. As I said before, he has the “It” factor.

Philly may have traded for running back Jordan Howard, but adding Sanders just gave Carson Wentz a running back he can trust for a very long time. This was my favorite pick so far in the 2019 NFL Draft.

Grade: A+

Round 2, Pick 57: J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, WR, Stanford

After adding Sanders, the best running back in the draft at No. 53, the Eagles followed that up by taking former Stanford wide receiver J.J. Arcega-Whiteside with the 57th pick. Arcega-Whiteside was a bit of a surprise pick for me, especially with some solid safeties on the board.

However, Roseman decided the Eagles would make it three-straight offensive players when they took the wide receiver. Arcega-Whiteside is a physical receiver who is known as a  50-50 ball guy, but I would argue that when the ball is in the air, it is more like 75-25.

He is a great red zone target, but the Eagles already have some solid red zone targets. Arcega-Whiteside probably will not make a big impact in his rookie season, but the Eagles always draft for the future, and he will be part of their future. Also, there is nothing wrong with getting Wentz another weapon.

It will be interesting to see what this means for wide receiver Nelson Agholor, but the Eagles should keep as many weapons as they can for Wentz.

Grade: B-