The Philadelphia Eagles hold the 6th overall pick in next April’s NFL draft. Having a high-end selection like that pick presents a franchise with the opportunity to acquire star level talent on a cheap contract for four years.
Besides names like Miles Sanders and Dallas Goedert, the Eagles roster is devoid of legitimate young star talent. This, of course could change with better usage of players like Jalen Reagor.
The roster is aging, expensive, and produced a 4-win season last year.
The 6th overall pick in the NFL draft is a premium selection. Over the last decade, the 6th overall pick has yielded, 6 players who have been either all-pro or pro bowl, and one NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
| 2011 | WR Julio Jones (Two-Time All-Pro & 7-Time Pro-Bowler) |
| 2012 | CB Morris Claiborne |
| 2013 | LB Barkevious Mingo |
| 2014 | T Jake Matthews (One-Time Pro-Bowler & has started every game since entering the NFL) |
| 2015 | DE Leonard Williams (One-Time Pro-Bowler) |
| 2016 | OT Ronnie Stanley (Pro-Bowl & All-Pro) – (2019) |
| 2017 | S Jamal Adams (Three-Time Pro Bowler & All-Pro) |
| 2018 | OG Quentin Nelson (Three-Time Pro-Bowler & Three-Time All-Pro) |
| 2019 | QB Daniel Jones |
| 2020 | QB Justin Herbert (2020 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year) |
As you can see, recent history shows more bad than good.
This year, the Eagles will have a multitude of talents to choose from. The main candidates (in no specific order) are as follows:
- WR Ja’Marr Chase
- TE/WR Kyle Pitts
- OT Penei Sewell
- WR DeVonta Smith
- CB Jaycee Horn
- CB Patrick Surtain
There has been talk of a possible selection of a quarterback, however, with the Eagles recent signing of veteran Joe Flacco and the ESPN report that team-owner, Jeff Lurie has,”sent the message to his personnel department and his general manager, Howie Roseman, that he wants to do everything he can to help Jalen Hurts be successful,” I can’t, realistically, see that happening.
The selection will likely come down to Chase or Pitts, depending on which player is avaliable.
Having a chance to select a wide receiver like Ja’Marr Chase, who was one of the most dominant players in college football in the 2019 (sat out the 2020 season). Chase, at 19 years old amassed 84 catches for 1,780 yards (21.2 yards per catch) and 20 touchdowns, doesn’t come around often. Chase has the ability to flat out dominate opposing defenses. Chase would add an immediate playmaking threat to the Eagles offense whenever he’s on the field.
The second option comes in the form of Kyle Pitts. Simply put, Pitts is an offensive weapon. Pitts can line up and be effective, on the outside at the X receiver position, in the slot, or in the traditional in-line tight end spot. The versatility is the main attraction with Pitts. I personally view Pitts as a generational ‘esque’ prospect. he does so much and does it all so well.
In the end, holding the 6th overall pick presents the Eagles an opportunity to add an elite talent to the franchise. Over the last 20 years, the 6th overall selection has yielded 18 players who have either been Pro-Bowlers or All-Pros.
With a roster lacking in talented youth, the players avaliable to the Eagles at 6 should only add to those figures.
The Philly Blitz 