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Smallwood: Eagles should go all-in for Carson Wentz

    by John Smallwood
    Published 
A year ago, leading to the NFL draft, the talk was how could then-Eagles Football Guru Chip Kelly move up from the 20th pick to get the second overall pick from the Tennessee Titans and select University of Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota.
I was in with those who believed the Eagles should surrender whatever it took to get Kelly the quarterback he believed he needed to successfully build a championship team in Philadelphia.
No one knows for sure, but it was reported the offer the Titans turned down included two first picks, a second round pick, quarterback Sam Bradford or Mark Sanchez and any defensive player on the Eagles roster – including Pro Bowl tackle Fletcher Cox.
The more things change, the more they remain the same.
With nine days remaining until the 2016 NFL draft on April 28, talk around the Eagles is again about moving up to the No. 2 overall pick to draft a quarterback – this time for one preferred by new coach Doug Pederson.
This time the target is North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz and the trade partner would be the Cleveland Browns.
I won’t say what was good for the Titans is good for the Browns because this time the Eagles would be swapping to move just six spots from No. 8 overall.
Still, while my offer pot would not be overflowing with honey, it would be close to full – the 2016 first-round pick, the 2017 first-round pick and Cox.
Considering Eagles owner Jeffery Lurie believed in Pederson enough to hire him despite his limited experience as an NFL assistant coach and coordinator, the Birds should get him the quarterback he believes he needs to be successful.
A franchise quarterback has more value than any other position.
The Los Angeles Rams just sent the 15th overall pick, two second-round picks (Nos. 43 and 45), a third-round pick (No. 76) and their first- and third-round picks in 2017 to Tennessee for the 2016 No. 1 overall pick, a fourth- (113) and sixth-round pick (177).
The Rams are expected to draft University of California quarterback Jared Goff.
Two first-round picks and Cox, which actually makes it three first-round picks, is steep to move up six spots to get Wentz but those are the kind of things you have to do to get a franchise quarterback.
A high enough price could convince Cleveland to move off a quarterback for itself at No. 2.
With the eighth pick, Cleveland would get an impact rookie.
Cox, 25, is a two-time second team All-Pro selection entering his prime. He would be the sweetener to trump offers from a team with a higher pick to package like Dallas (No. 5) or San Francisco (No. 7).
Considering how bad the Eagles would likely be by adding a rookie quarterback instead of filling another need, the Browns would probably have two Top 10 picks in 2017.
The Eagles re-signed Bradford to a contract that was not a significant vote of confidence that he is considered the long-term answer, and veteran free-agent quarterback Chase Daniels was signed from Kansas City to help install Pederson’ offense.
The most important position in sports is still in flux with the Eagles.
A year ago, the Eagles were willing to let Kelly gut the future of a 10-win team to get the quarterback he wanted.
Considering the costs would not be nearly as high, the Eagles should make a strong play to get Wentz for Pederson.
    JS
    John Smallwood
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