No Quick Fix

The 2003 Eagles were good. They went 12-4 and hosted the NFC title game, which they lost to Carolina. That game made it painfully clear just how bad the Eagles needed an upgrade at wide receiver. They traded for Terrell Owens and went to the Super Bowl in 2004. One player made a huge difference for that team.

The 2021 Eagles are not a player away. Unless Reggie White, Brian Dawkins, Seth Joyner and Donovan McNabb somehow end up on the roster and they’re all magically 25-years old, this team will be watching the Super Bowl on TV.

There is no quick fix for this team.

That is good and bad news. The bad news, this team lacks talent. The good news, they have a lot of flexibility when it comes to the draft and offseason moves. The Eagles aren’t locked in to a certain position. It will take multiple years of drafting to bring in young talent to revitalize the roster.

I’ve been studying draft prospects and trying to figure out what the Eagles should do. One of the real keys is for the scouting staff to talk to the new coaching staff and all get on the same page. Let’s talk about cornerbacks for a second. The Eagles could have a very different group of choices in the second round.

Asante Samuel Jr. – 5-10, 185 – Florida State – Samuel is best suited to play a lot of zone. He had 29 career pass break-ups and is a playmaker.

Elijah Molden – 5-10, 188 – Washington – One of the most versatile DBs in the draft. He can play in the slot, back at free safety or in the box. Had an amazing year in 2019. Molden had 5.5 TFLs, 4 picks and 12 PBUs.

Ifeatu Melifonwu – 6-3, 212 – Syracuse – Probably the biggest corner in the draft. Good cover skills. Played well at the Senior Bowl. Put this guy outside and let him man up on the best receiver.

Which guy would be the best fit for the new scheme?

Obviously part of this is how the coaches see the current roster. Do they like Avonte Maddox in the slot or back at safety? I’d find it hard to believe they want him at outside corner.

Do the coaches want Jalen Mills back? Would they put him in the slot or at safety?

Do the coaches think K’Vonn Wallace can be a starter or do they see him as a role player?

We are going to be doing a lot of guessing this offseason. The Eagles can’t bring prospects to Philly. They can’t send a bunch of people to pro days. And we have to guess as to what the coaches want based on their work history.

I don’t have a strong feel for the overall draft class yet, but I am encouraged by the amount of good DB prospects. The Eagles need help at safety and corner. I think they’ll have a chance to address both spots.

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Melifonwu is intriguing.

Melifonwu one hell of a force player and tackler… Fights off perimeter blocks like rag dolls and will use those long limbs to wrangle ball carriers. Throws body around.

Size, length, physicality – good skillset on Ifeatu Melifonwu 6’2 205lbs with 80” wingspan pic.twitter.com/3eWuEobZJk

— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) January 26, 2021

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No Wentz talk today, but that doesn’t mean we’ll avoid trades entirely.

As the Carson Wentz trade saga continues, some people around the league also expect the Eagles to explore options with Zach Ertz, who is bracing for a change of scenery via release or trade, per source. Perhaps Philly could include him in a Wentz trade package to maximize value

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) February 13, 2021

SOURCE: #Eagles have talked to Seahawks, Colts about trade for Zach Ertz. While it may prove difficult from a salary cap standpoint to make Carson Wentz and Ertz a package deal to Indy, maybe Ertz and Andre Dillard go in same deal. Here's a closer look:https://t.co/haiHjEPkUU

— Ed Kracz (@kracze) February 14, 2021

Trading Ertz would be good for both sides.

The Eagles need to focus on young talent. Ertz will turn 31 in October. He is the best TE in franchise history and he’s been an outstanding player, but he really stunk in 2020. The Eagles need to find players for the future. Ertz doesn’t fit that. And moving him would save money.

I don’t know if it was lack of focus or what, but Ertz looked like a different player in 2020. He might be able to bounce back and play like his old self for a new team. I think a new environment would help. I also think putting him on a veteran team would help.

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