The NFL's legal tampering period (and the new league year) started yesterday, and we saw a lot of movement in the WR landscape across the NFL
One of the best WRs in the game, DeAndre Hopkins was traded to Arizona for basically a 2nd round pick and an injured RB in David Johnson. Former Vikings WR Stefon Diggs got sick of Kirk Cousins, and after his 2 year extension with the team, Diggs got moved to Bills for a slate of picks, including a first rounder this year. Amari Cooper re-signed with Cowboys for 20 mil/year (funny when they decided to bench him in their crucial matchup vs Eagles in 2019)
These moves beg the question: Are the chances of a top WR slipping to the Eagles at 21 suddenly a lot bigger? Let's have a look.
1. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals have one overwhelming need: Quarterback. And they will select Joe Burrow...
Next.
Risk assessment: Neglectable
2. Washington
Terry McLaurin proved to be a major steal in last years draft, and Kelvin Harmon was a diamond in the rough late as well. The Redskins shouldn't pass on a top edge rusher in Chase Young, which is a big need for them.
Risk assessment: Neglectable-low
3. Detroit Lions
Lions are pretty much set at WR with Golladay, Jones Jr, Amendola, and Jermaine Kearse. The need for CB and help on the defensive line is too much to start getting cute with more pass catchers.
Risk assessment: Neglectable-low
4. NY Giants
There are some decent pass catchers available for Daniel Jones. They spent fairly big on Golden Tate, drafted Darius Slayton last year, and Sterling Shepard is very serviceable. The big need for G-men is OT, and this is the spot to do it.
Risk assessment: Low
5. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins need help everywhere, but the biggest - and most important need - is help on the OL, and maybe even a QB, should they not have faith in big ol' Fitzie and Josh Rosen. I'm not too worried about Dolphins here. The emergence of Davonte Parker makes WR a luxury.
Risk assessment: Low
6. LA Chargers
No. They don't need WRs. Keenan Allen, recent 1st round pick Mike Williams, and Travis Benjamin.
Oh and they need a QB.
Risk assessment: Neglectable
7. Carolina Panthers
DJ Moore was a first round pick in 2018, Curtis Samuel a 2nd round pick in 2017, and the need for a QB (if Cam is not back), DL, or CB heavily outweights a WR here.
Risk assessment: Low
8. Arizona Cardinals
If you asked me yesterday, I would say: Fitzgerald has been old since last century, they spend 2nd round picks on Andy Isabella and Christian Kirk the last two seasons but not slam dunk guys, and Hakeem Butler hasn't caught a pass yet.
One day later, and they have arguably the best WR core with the addition of DeAndre Hopkins. And they still have a first-round pick... What?!
Risk assessment: Neglectable
9. Jacksonville Jaguars
Jaguars have needs in a lot of places, especially on defense. What once was considered a great group, now is dismantled. With guys like D.J. Chark, a 2nd round pick in 2018, Marqise Lee, Keenan Cole, and Dede Westbrook, WR is not a huge strength, but also not a primary need.
Look for Jags to go best available DEFENSIVE player at this point
Risk assessment: Low
10. Cleveland Browns
Heavily invested in offense, the Browns locked up Austin Hooper to the biggest contract for a TE in the league. Add that to Njoku, OBJ, Juice Landry, and Rashard Higgins, and the offensive playmakers should be fine. Help on the offensive line, on the other hand........
Now, if the quiet rumors about trading OBJ becomes a reality, things may change drastically. But for now, they are not a threat.
Risk assessment: Low
11. NY Jets
This is where it gets interesting. Robby Anderson is likely to leave in free agency, which leaves the team with Jamison Crowder, old man Demaryius Thomas, Josh Doctson, Quincy Enunwa.
Considering the need for help on the offensive line, they may want to lock that up here, and wait till 43 to select a WR, considering the depth at WR in the draft. However, with no WRs taken so far, they may also look at a potential big star at WR that can grow with mono-Darnold.
Risk assessment: Moderate-High
12. Las Vegas Raiders
Nothing spectacular here: Hunter Renfrow a 5th round pick, Zay Jones who they traded a late pick for last year, and Tyrell Williams who they signed last offseason to 11 mil/year.
With two first-round picks in this draft, they will select a WR with one of them. The question is whether it will be here, or at 19. Considering one of the big three (Ruggs, Ceedee, Jeudy) is available, they probably do it here.
Risk assessment: High
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Mandatory photo credit: AP Photo/Vasha Hunt
13. SF 49ers (from Indianapolis via trade for Deforest Buckner)
Another big player in the WR market here. Emmanuel Sanders may be leaving, and even if he isn't, he is still 33 years old. Deebo Samuel was pick #36 a year ago, and speedster Marquise Goodwin is also still there.
They could be in play for a big-time CB here, or even try to replace Buckner, but after getting beat by the oh-so explosive Chiefs, I can see them grabbing a WR here.
Risk assessment: High
14. Tamba Bay Buccaneers
Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. They don't need WRs. They need a lot of other things, maybe even a QB.
Risk assessment: Neglectable
15. Denver Broncos
Highlighted by Courtland Sutton, a 2nd round pick from 2018 and DaeSean Hamilton (which is not a good highlight), Broncos need a WR. Assuming they are fine with Drew Luck, that is.
Risk assessment: High
16. Atlanta Falcons
Julio Jones is still one of the best WRs in the game, and they spent a 1st round pick on Calvin Ridley in 2018. Falcons are in play for an edge rusher or someone to replace Desmond Trufant at CB. Not a WR.
Risk assessment: Low
17. Dallas Cowboys
They just spent 100 million on Amari Cooper and a good amount on TE Blake Jarwin. Randall Cobb did leave in FA, but already have their WR2 in Michael Gallup. Cowboys likely won't be contenders for a big-play WR.
Risk assessment: Low
18. Miami Dolphins (from Pittsburgh via trade for Minkah Fitzpatrick)
"Guess who's back!" Already covered at #5, of course, there is a potential for grabbing best available at this point - and it may be a WR - but they need so many other positions filled, that it still remains unlikely.
Risk assessment: Low
19. Las Vegas Raiders (from Chicago via trade for Khalil Mack)
"Back again!". Covered in #12, Raiders will select a WR in the first round. If they don't do it early, it will happen here. They might be too worried Eagles will jump them at this spot, which is why I believe they address pass-catchers first.
Risk assessment: High
20. Jacksonville Jaguars (from LA Rams via trade for Jalen Ramsey)
"Jags are back, tell a friend!". Same with Raiders at #18, WR could be best available, but still shouldn't be a pressing need here.
Risk assessment: Moderate
Trade up is likely a must for Eagles, and Hhre's what they should do:
The big risk starts with the Jets at 11 and just skyrockets from there.
Picks number 11, 12, 13, and 15 are all in play for one of the three aforementioned "big heads" in Ruggs, Ceedee, and Jeudy, and considering their skill, they may be too intriguing to pass for those teams.
Add the risk of a team trading up past the Eagles, and it gets messy.
A strategy that could work is to monitor what happens from pick 10. If Jets, Raiders, or 49ers decide to pass on a WR at 11, 12, and 13, trading up with Bucs at 14 (who need a ton of draft picks to fill A LOT of needs) could secure a potential star WR.
Using the draft pick value chart from drafttek.com, moving from 21 to 14 cost 300+ points. That would require Eagles to sent #21 and #53 (value 370), or #21, both 3rd round picks, and a future 4th (value roughly 300).
Will Howie strike a deal or risk it all and stay put?
Mandatory photo credit: AP Photo/Vasha Hunt
