Ranking the Eagles’ needs prior to the 2019 NFL Draft

The Philadelphia Eagles’ enter the 2019 NFL Draft in an enviable position. Their offseason acquisitions have filled a good deal of their needs and has given them flexibility when they’re on the clock.

That’s not to say they don’t have any needs, but they’re currently in a spot where there isn’t a starting role that isn’t at least filled by a replacement level starter. The needs they do have are early round selections to upgrade those replaceable starters and late round needs for depth.

For instance, left guard Isaac Seumalo is on a cheap and tentative contract, but provides baseline starter quality. Drafting an early upgrade would make sense, especially with Brandon Brooks’ recovery, but drafting late isn’t a “need”. What I’m trying to say is, each need is snowflake, or something to that effect.

Still, if you had to rank the Eagles’ needs entering the draft, in what order would you put them? That’s what we aimed to do on The Kist & Solak Show #89. Here’s how our list starts out:

1. SAFETY

More of a long term need than an immediate hole to fill, this shows you just how strong the Eagles’ roster is after their offseason moves. The Eagles’ have shown a strong interest in bringing in top safety talent for official visits and could be eyeing one in the back end of the first round.

2. LEFT TACKLE

This very easily could’ve been the top need, but we aren’t sure the Eagles’ see it this way. Ultimately, this position is fine if the Eagles’ get a healthy and solid Jason Peters for the duration of the season. If Halapoulivaati Vaitai is pressed into extended action, look out. If the Eagles’ do draft a tackle of the future, Vaitai should be on the trading block immediately.

3. RUNNING BACK

While trading for Jordan Howard was a decent move, banking on his return to form is still a gamble. I’m not fully on this train (in terms of ranking) with Benjamin Solak but I won’t scoff at adding a complementary piece in the draft as high as the second round. This isn’t exactly a great class to find that value though.

How did the rest of the needs fall for us? You can find out by listening on the media player below or by clicking here if the player doesn’t load. New to podcasts? Check out our guide on how to listen to BGN! FLY EAGLES FLY!