NFL Draft Order: Eagles can pick as high as No. 3 overall

The Philadelphia Eagles were the TRUE winners of their Week 16 game against the Dallas Cowboys. Playoffs, shmlayoffs. It’s all about getting a higher pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, baby!

The Eagles are currently set to pick at No. 6 overall heading into Week 17. Here’s a look at the entire draft order for non-playoff teams via Tankathon:

The Eagles can finish no higher than No. 3 and no lower than No. 10.

For the third overall pick to become a reality, you need to beat rooting for the following outcomes in Week 17:

• Philadelphia Eagles (4-10-1) lose to the Washington Football Team (6-9)
• Cincinnati Bengals (4-10-1) beat the Baltimore Ravens (10-5)
• Atlanta Falcons (4-11) beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-5)
• Houston Texans (4-11) beat the Tennessee Titans (10-5)

The Eagles might very well lose — although not a lock given Washington’s awful quarterback situation — but it’s going to be difficult for them to get help. The Eagles clearly need bad teams to beat good teams that are actually playing for playoff implications.

In the case of the Bengals, who have the same record as the Eagles, Philly is currently losing out to them on the strength of schedule tiebreaker. If the Eagles can finish with a weaker strength of schedule, Philly can move ahead of Cincy. If they finish an identical strength of schedule, the Bengals will win the common games tiebreaker. So, the Eagles will hope it doesn’t come to that.

Getting a very high pick doesn’t guarantee that the Eagles will get the selection right, especially if Howie Roseman continues to have final say in the draft. But it could at least decrease their margin for error and help them find a true impact player. Ja’Marr Chase and Devonta Smith are early fan favorites; it sure would be cool to have a really good wide receiver on the team. There’s plenty of time to discuss potential options since the Eagles won’t be selecting until April 29.

Here’s hoping they find a way to land at No. 3. Eagles fans surely deserve it after watching such a miserable season.