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The Philadelphia Eagles didn’t have Nick Foles backing up Carson Wentz in 2019, and that came back to bite them in the postseason. Philadelphia won the NFC East with a 9-7 record, but were eliminated by the Seattle Seahawks in its first playoff game after Wentz left the game because of a head injury he suffered in the first quarter.
The Eagles came out on top despite all three of their top receivers missing at least five games. DeSean Jackson was limited to just three games before having his season ended by a core muscle injury. Wideouts should be a position Philadelphia focuses on this offseason, but it can’t forget about defensive backs.
2020 Draft Picks
Round 1, pick 21 (No. 21 overall): Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU
Round 2, pick 21 (No. 53): Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma
Round 3, pick 39 (No. 103): Davion Taylor, LB, Colorado
Round 4, pick 21 (No. 127): K’Von Wallace, S, Clemson
Round 4, pick 39 (No. 145): Jack Driscoll, OG, Auburn
Round 5, pick 22 (No. 168): John Hightower, WR, Boise State
Round 6, pick 17 (No. 196): Shaun Bradley, ILB, Temple
Round 6, pick 21 (No. 200): Quez Watkins, WR, Southern Mississippi
Round 6, pick 31 (No. 210): Prince Tega Wanogho, OT, Auburn
Round 7, pick 19 (No. 233): Casey Toohill, DE, Stanford
Team needs
Offense
Philadelphia’s inconsistent receiving corps hindered offensive production significantly last season. The team tallied 29 drops in the season, and players let passes slip through their fingers in clutch moments too often throughout the year. Those struggles forced Nelson Agholor out the door and could push Alshon Jeffery out as well. Wentz needs a reliable, young playmaker to build chemistry with. Jackson might be the most dynamic option, but he’ll turn 34 toward the end of the year.
Defense
The Eagles fielded what was arguably the NFL’s worst pass defense early in 2019 and were constantly mentioned in trade rumor discussions involving top-tier defensive backs like Minkah Fitzpatrick and Jalen Ramsey. However, none of those deals were able to get done. Philadelphia’s personnel improved, but the team could’ve been in a better situation had its secondary not taken so long to get it together.
Dream first pick
The top target for Philadelphia should be LSU’s Justin Jefferson. He ranked second in the country in receptions (111) last season and second in receiving touchdowns (18). He has some of the most consistent hands in the class and speed that would complement Jackson’s. If the ball is on the mark, he’ll probably catch it. The Eagles need that.