Dave Uram
The Eagles picking Derek Barnett with the 14th overall selection in the NFL Draft resulted in a wide range of reactions from this usually negative media member … me.
First reaction was one of no surprise. After the roller coaster Gareon Conley story, I believed the Eagles were going to address the defensive line in the first because of the draft’s supposed plethora of corners and other needs for the Birds. Defensive lineman was the safe route. Jim Schwartz’s defensive relies so much on its production.
Second reaction was one of excitement. Barnett is a stud who’s not even 21 years old yet. Collecting 33 sacks at an SEC school is not too shabby, especially if it’s breaking the great Reggie White’s record in only three seasons, while racking up 198 tackles, 52 of which were for losses. The Birds could use a player like Barnett considering their defensive coordinator is stubborn for not blitzing.
The final reaction was one of annoyance. How many chances will Howie Roseman and company get to solidify the defensive line?
If you just look at the selection and no prior events, the pick is sensational. As I wrote last week, the tandem of Roseman and vice president of player personnel Joe Douglas remains dynamic. These two continue to acquire talent, and even if most of it is Douglas’ work, Roseman is doing an outstanding job coming off as more humble and collaborative.
But, let’s include prior events.
Let’s be honest. The talented Barnett is another “do-over” for Roseman and the Birds. Barnett is a result of Vinny Curry’s failing five year contract and the lack of judgement in drafting Marcus Smith.
In fairness, you could argue that all draft picks are “do-overs” in some sense, but Carson Wentz came after years of trying to band-aid the departure of Donovan McNabb with aging veterans and inferior talent.
Nelson Agholor was taken in 2015 after foolishly cutting DeSean Jackson and not re-signing Jeremy Maclin. This decision may not have been Roseman’s, but it was still the Eagles, ultimately governed by owner Jeffrey Lurie.
Lane Johnson was drafted in 2013 after the Danny Watkins debacle of 2011. Fletcher Cox was taken in 2012, two years after Brandon Graham was selected in 2010. Obviously, Cox and Graham are different positions, but it took Graham half a decade to finally play like a first rounder.
If mistakes weren’t made in the recent past, maybe the Eagles wouldn’t need to exhaust a first round pick on a position they’ve attempted to address.
Maybe they could’ve used the 14th pick on a corner regardless of the Conley rumor, instead of being under pressure to deliver quality defensive backs Friday and Saturday. Maybe they could’ve coughed up a couple of picks to trade up in the first and land one of the prized running backs or receivers.
It’s not that the selection of Barnett is bad or mediocre, it’s that this could’ve been avoided if Curry and Smith performed. Instead a player in the early stages of a five year deal and another who’s officially a first round bust, are put on notice.
Hopefully this is the last “do-over” for the Eagles. Maybe in the future, with this newfound duo of Roseman and Douglas, the Birds can use their high draft picks on positions which were left vacant by retiring players or ones who left for unwarranted money in free agency. It’s getting pretty tiresome of these picks being wasted to replace young guys who shouldn’t have been on the roster in the first place.
Before I Forget…
-A record-breaking 100,000 fans attended the first day of the NFL Draft on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, and based on my eyes walking around Thursday afternoon, most root for the Eagles. That’s a great reflection on the city and its love for football. In the future when national polls and surveys want to do a list of the best football fan bases in America, Birds fans should be near the top, if not at the top. This city doesn’t get enough recognition nationally for being an outstanding football town. Too often, lazy national voices will reference Santa Claus and snow balls. Unfortunately for them, there’s a new example that describes Philadelphia fans – the 2017 draft.
-Heading into Friday, the Phillies are on a six game winning streak and in sole possession of second place in the NL East. While it’s obvious they won’t catch the Nationals, who should be in strong competition for a World Series, it’s clear the Phils aren’t the laughing stock of baseball anymore. They’re fun to watch, they (for the most part) play hard, never quit and are surprisingly entertaining. They’re doing this minus a couple of over priced, injured veterans they traded for in the off-season, Clay Buchholz and Howie Kendrick. With the exception of Jeremy Hellickson and Joaquin Benoit (again…for the most part), any veteran the Phils have brought in to provide “professional help” hasn’t succeeded. They’re winning a lot these games as young players are developing. There’s no need to waste money on a band-aid veteran when there’s promising talent throughout the organization, majors and minors.
Dave Uram is a weekly contributor to Philly Influencer. You can follow him (@MrUram) and email him at [email protected].