Despite plenty of speculation and another unpredictable start, the Eagles stood firm with their pair of second-round picks, stacking up on skill positions.
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It's scary to think the Eagles changed stance so quickly. A team previously so reluctant to draft skill-position players early, have now taken a running back in the second round or below for the first time since LeSean McCoy and a potential future WR1 for the second round in the first time since...it's been a while.
Miles Sanders, RB, Penn State
Philadelphia has been rumored to be in love with the Penn State running back for quite some time now in what's become a poorly kept secret. Sanders fell into the Eagles' laps at 53 and has shown flashes of an all-round back at the next level and could make for a fantastic compliment to Jordan Howard in his rookie season.
If the Eagles want a back that truly resembles what LeSean McCoy used to bring to the table, my unpopular opinion here is Sanders has the ability to cut, in buckets. He has a real spring in his step and bounces out of his cuts so smoothly, it’s impossible to stop him once he jukes and blows past a defender. He drops his hips well and is a real finesse runner.
Sanders spent much of his career with the Nittany Lions basking in the light of Saquon Barkley and after finally getting his shot in the big time, provided enough of a sample size to earn himself a second-round grade. Tallying 1,274 yards on 220 attempts, Sanders showcased his acceleration and ability to be a home-run hit.
The Eagles did a great job of adding some short-term backfield stability by trading for Jordan Howard. They did a great job of finally adding long-term stability, by drafting a man who not only stacks up as his perfect running-mate, but a back who could one day take the reins for his own.
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Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
J.J Arcega-Whiteside, wide receiver, Stanford
The Eagles currently have one of the best receiving corps in the league, and when you factor in Zach Ertz as a pass-catcher it only gets better. But beyond this year there is some uncertainty. No one outside of the building can really get a feel on what the Eagles plans are for Nelson Agholor, and DeSean Jackson and Alshon Jeffery are only getting older. Mock drafts where Eagles take a wide-out have consistently put speed-type receivers going to the Eagles. Instead, a player like Arcega-Whisteside would be a much better fit for what the Eagles try to do on offense. At least, that's what they're drafting him for.
It seemed unlikely he'd be around in this sort of range, but here we are.
Arcega-Whiteside is a big body at 6’2, 226 comparable to none other than Alshon Jeffery. He has great hands, technical route running and is a strong blocker in the run game. There were concerns over his speed but, his pro-day 40 time of 4.49 was impressive. Arcega-Whiteside could serve as a strong red-zone threat and a mismatch machine who could eventually mold into Alshon Jeffery’s successor.
