Eagles Mailbag: Philadelphia shouldn’t be afraid to double-dip at cornerback

Welcome to the latest edition of the Bleeding Green Nation mailbag. Each week I'll be taking some of your Eagles questions and answering them in this post. As always, thanks to everyone who sent in a question. We already answered some of your questions during the BGN Facebook Live session I hosted. (Shameless plug: please like on the BGN Facebook page and the BGN Radio Facebook page.) Watch the Q&A below:

We also answered some of your questions on the latest episode of BGN Radio (click here to listen). And now it's time for some of the inquiries we didn't already address. Let's get started.

@j_delacruz8 asks: How would you feel if the Eagles took a cornerback in the first and second rounds of the 2017 NFL Draft?

Assuming the cornerback they take in each round is the top player on their board, I’m totally fine with it. It would be great if the Eagles could fix their never-ending cornerback issues with just two picks in one draft. The next coming of the Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown era? Sign me up.

I hardly think the Eagles have to double-dip at corner like that. Getting at least one within the first two rounds seems ideal though.

For more cornerback coverage, check out the options Dave Mangels profiled recently: early round prospects | mid-to-late round prospects.

@Dan_a_EaglesFan asks: Is wide receiver the biggest need for the Eagles in free agency? Is cornerback the biggest need in the draft? Thoughts?

I think that’s the perfect way to put it, Dan. The Eagles desperately need immediate help at wide receiver. They should sign multiple pass catchers. They can’t just rely on a first round pick to be the savior.

The Eagles also have an immediate need at cornerback, but they don’t need stop-gap options there. After failing to have cornerback continuity for so long now, it’s time the Eagles draft and develop some long-term fixes at the position.

@JuanLGalaviz asks: It’s gone rather quiet that Carson Wentz started all 16 games. How vital was it for him/team because of it?

Wentz starting all 16 games was special just because it feels like it’s been forever since the Eagles have had that happen. The last time was Donovan McNabb in 2008. It goes without saying that having continuity at quarterback is imperative to having success in the NFL.

The playing experience did Wentz good. Now he has a full offseason to study what went wrong and what he needs to improve.

Throughout the season I saw people criticize Wentz for not showing enough development throughout the year. First, I don’t fully agree with that assessment. Obviously the numbers weren’t awesome but I think his pocket presence really improved by the end of the year. Re-watch the final four games and you see him masterfully eluding defenders while in the pocket.

The most important phase in Wentz’s development is bound to take place this offseason. Players typically make their biggest jump from Year 1 to Year 2. The fact that Wentz has a lot of his experience under his belt could help accelerate his growth.

@camashta4 asks: Will Howie Roseman finally be fired in 2022 after only making playoffs once in 12 years?

The Eagles already made the playoffs twice in the Roseman era but they haven’t won a single playoff game during his tenure. But I understand the sentiment behind this question: will Roseman ever be gone? Sometimes I feel like he’s going to be here forever, honestly. For better or worse.

One would think Roseman would be gone if the combination of Doug Pederson and Carson Wentz turns out to be a total flop.

One thing that might help Roseman’s longevity is the fact Joe Douglas is supposedly taking over personnel control, so that could shift blame away from Roseman again. But then again Roseman is credited with the Douglas hire, so ... that shouldn’t be a valid excuse.

This is an important offseason for the Eagles. If they don’t get it right, Pederson and Wentz will suffer. And ultimately Roseman will (or at least should) as well.

@DevilDan09 asks: Re-sign Bennie Logan? Who fits best in free agency? What running back would fit best from the draft? Is Jim Schwartz overrated?

1 - I think the Eagles should re-sign Logan. I don’t think his price will be unreasonable as some are expecting. But I’d lean towards it not happening if I had to guess.

2 - Virtually any free agent wide receiver is a great fit for the Eagles in free agency because they just need so much help at the position. Kenny Stills seems to be a great fit in the sense he’s on the younger side and he has the deep speed the Eagles desire.

3 - Dalvin Cook is the obvious answer, but I don’t think the Eagles go running back in the first. So I’ll say Christian McCaffrey as the more realistic option. Andy Reid’s offense always featured pass catching running backs. I like his fit in Philly.

4 - I think Jim Schwartz is properly rated. He’s a good defensive coordinator. He’s not elite, but he’s good. The Eagles defense wasn’t as bad as some made it out to be last year. Philadelphia allowed the fewest touchdowns of any team at home last season. Schwartz’s unit ranked fourth in DVOA. The Eagles ranked 12th best in terms of points allowed per drive. The Eagles ranked tied for 16th in sacks, tied for ninth in interceptions, tied for eight in forced fumbles, and tied for third in defensive touchdowns scored. You could certainly do a lot worse.

@Angrypants24 asks: Which player would you pick to stay and continue developing for the Eagles, Bryce Treggs or Paul Turner?

If I could only pick one, I’m taking P.T. Cruiser. The reality is both players aren’t likely to amount to much in the NFL. But I like what I’ve seen out of Turner more than I like what I’ve seen out of Treggs. Not to mention there was that report out there that drew Treggs’ work ethic into question.

There’s a good chance neither player even makes Philadelphia’s roster in 2017. But I’d put Turner ahead of Treggs.

@JayLeadfoot asks: Hear anything on Alex McCalister's progression, think he pushes for a spot?

Haven’t heard anything about him, but he definitely has a long way to go based on where he left off last summer. Jim Schwartz talked about how McCalister needs to add a lot more weight, so hopefully for his sake that’s something he’s worked on.

I think he’s still a long shot to make the team. He might end up spending the season on the practice squad.

@ljssurfing asks: Will Jahlil Okafor be an Eagles fan after he's traded?

Jah is from Chicago so I imagine he’s been a Bears fan all this time. But I don’t care who he roots for. Just get the guy out of here already.