They Eagles signed veteran Patrick Robinson in free agency and could use second-year pro Jalen Mills at the other spot while waiting on Jones.
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To help keep Jones comfortable, and to add depth at defensive tackle the Eagles selected his Huskies teammate, Elijah Qualls, in the sixth round.
Roseman also failed to adequately address the running back position. But it’s never too early to look ahead to next year, right?! They weren’t quite as enthusiastic when Barnett’s name was called, but cheered him on as he made his way around.
Pumphrey seems like a terrific fit for the Eagles because he has similar skills to versatile Darren Sproles, soon to turn 34.
An impact like that is exactly what the Eagles need in their passing game.
MS quarterback Chad Kelly, a talented player with a history of off-the-field issues and injuries, was the 253rd and final selection Saturday by the Denver Broncos. “Every time I eat, I always think I’m making up a meal I missed in junior college or something like that”.
Regardless, running back isn’t necessarily the monumental issue it’s been made out to be. Jones is an intriguing pick by Roseman, but he won’t be helping this team in 2017 to a torn left Achilles. “I look forward to being in this town and having a couple more”.
The company line was that this was an Eagles Draft.
It is without question that Barnett is an outstanding pass rusher and could become better under the teaching of Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. I wasn’t as enthused as some people with the decision to select Jones in Round 2 (see video).
THE EAGLES selected a total of eight players in the draft. It was really not a surprising move that the Eagles took him, even if it is a safe pick on the grounds of upside instead of instant gratification. Their selection of RB James Conner of Pitt, who came back from cancer to play for the Panthers, was inspirational – and wise. What if he loses a step or even half a step? Both are West Virginia products. The former Tennessee star was greeted with a huge ovation from the home crowd after being drafted by the Eagles with the no. 14 overall pick. His tape is impressive.
Oklahoma’s All-America wide receiver Dede Westbrook, who finished fourth in Heisman Trophy balloting, went to Jacksonville. He averaged more than 20 yards per reception at North Carolina. He really is a lot like Sproles – very elusive with the ability to cut at full speed. Donnel Pumphrey set the FBS career rushing record with 6,405 yards and is probably a part-time back. But he shouldn’t be asked to carry the same kind of load (1,100 touches) in the pros. “I guess in OH, the (exotic animal) permits aren’t as hard to get”.
“When you have to walk to McDonald’s in the snow and you order five things and you eat two of them at 12 o’clock and you save the other two dollar-menu things for later on in the day, I think that was one of my craziest days”, he said on Saturday, when he met reporters a day after being taken in the third round.
The Eagles hope Hollins will carry that attitude with him to Philadelphia. The transition for him could be a tough one, and as a third-round pick, it might be unrealistic to expect him to contribute right away.
The worst draft was Chicago.
Howie Roseman insisted the Birds nabbed Hollins because they think he’s a young and talented wide receiver who can provide quarterback Carson Wentz with an explosive option on the outside of the offense. “It was real interesting before us how it went”. It was a huge success.
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The Cleveland Browns turned Carson Wentz into picks and prospects far as the eye can see, and that’s getting played up quite a bit in the immediate aftermath of the 2017 National Football League draft. “All of us upstairs were just watching them and seeing the energy and seeing what the city of Philadelphia has done for this draft”. It was a great weekend.
