NFL draft 2019: Top prospect rankings, Eagles’ needs, player profiles
Everything you need to know about this weekend's draft.
After months of analysis, speculation and projection, we’re finally getting some answers.
The NFL draft is finally here.
Eagles fans know that top executive Howie Roseman has a type when it comes to draft selections. But what will that mean for the Birds’ approach during the first round, when they’re picking at No. 25? Zach Berman explores that here.
Speaking of that: Who will the Eagles draft at No. 25? Berman, along with our other Eagles writers Les Bowen, Paul Domowitch and Jeff McLane, graded 12 players on a scale of 1 to 10 -- 10 being the most likely, 1 the least likely. Check that out here.
But what if the Eagles don’t even end up picking at No. 25? There’s chatter in Nashville, according to Bowen, that the Eagles aren’t seeing anything they like in the bottom half of the draft and might want to trade down. And of course, as McLane explained this week, that isn’t unprecedented: Roseman’s known for blockbuster draft-day trades, and there’s no reason to expect this weekend would be any different.
This draft is particularly important for the Eagles because they finally have a plethora of picks to play around with. In the past few years, they’d been feeling the ramifications of trading up to land quarterback Carson Wentz and putting together a deal for Ronald Darby. But in 2019 (and in 2020), they’ve got opportunities to replenish the roster, explains Berman. Last time they did that, they won a Super Bowl.
Zach Berman’s mock draft | Les Bowen’s mock draft | Paul Domowitch’s mock draft | Jeff McLane’s mock draft
On the topic of Wentz: Should the Eagles draft someone who can protect him? Bob Ford argues yes in his column. There’s too much value in the quarterback to let an aging Jason Peters provide all the protection. And in the pipeline? Halapoulivaati Vaitai and Jordan Mailata. The former might be good in a pinch, but the latter hasn’t played a down of American football.
More on the NFL draft:
Berman and McLane discuss what surprises we might see on Thursday and which players the Eagles should trade their first-round pick for on the latest episode of the Birds’ Eye View podcast.
Draft analyst Ben Fennell breaks down the best, riser and sleeper prospects at 12 position groups.
Ed Barkowitz dives into NFL draft betting. Yes, you can do it, but only in Jersey.
Barkowitz also shows us the history of the 25th pick, and where else the Eagles are picking.
Bowen asks an interesting question: With so much prep that goes into the draft, how do teams get a pick wrong?
Berman looks at local players, including Temple’s Ryquell Armstead, who might land in the NFL (and maybe even with the Eagles).
Domowitch tells the story of Main Line native Mike Mayock, who spent 15 years creating a niche as the NFL Network’s draft analyst. He was so good at it, he got hired as Raiders GM.
Lastly: The Eagles have Carson Wentz. So why would they draft a QB? Berman explains.