Eagles Draft Clues: Each Position Addressed in 1st Round Since 2000

There may be some clues as to which way the Philadelphia Eagles will turn when the NFL Draft arrives on April 27 by looking at their drafting history

Howie Roseman was a front office intern with the Philadelphia Eagles when the 21st century dawned, growing up in the pro game on the knee of then-coach Andy Reid and then-team president Joe Banner.

So it's not surprising that the organization’s future general manager adopted the philosophy shared by Reid and Banner, and that is to build in the trenches.

Looking for crumbs when the NFL Draft begins on April 27, look no further than the tact taken by the franchise since 2000.

Trades aside, the Eagles have taken eight defensive linemen in the first round of the last 23 drafts dating back to 2000.

If you count Marcus Smith, it’s nine. Technically, though, Smith, the surprise first-round pick in 2014, is listed as a linebacker.

Here’s a closer look at each position:

DEFENSIVE LINE

Drafted:

Jordan Davis, 2022

Derek Barnett, 2017

Fletcher Cox, 2012

Brandon Graham, 2010

Broderick Bunkley, 2006

Mike Patterson, 2005

Jerome McDougal, 2003

Corey Simon, 2000

Note: Trevor Laws was the team’s first pick in 2008 but came in the second round

Three in contention in 2023 first round:

Jalen Carter, Georgia

Nolan Smith, Georgia

Lukas Van Ness, Iowa

Thoughts: It’s extremely likely one of these three will be Eagles on April 27, with Carter the likely leader in the clubhouse if he gets past the Seahawks at No. 5 and the Chicago Bears at No. 9.

RECEIVER

Drafted:

DeVonta Smith, 2021

Jalen Reagor, 2020

Nelson Agholor, 2015

Jeremy Maclin, 2009

Freddie Mitchell, 2001

Three in contention in 2023 first round:

Zay Flowers, Boston College

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State

Quentin Johnston, TCU

Thoughts: No way the Eagles are taking a pass-catcher in the first round with either pick. It would be the third time in the last four years they would have done that. Nope. Won’t happen.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Drafted:

Andre Dillard, 2019

Lane Johnson, 2013

Danny Watkins, 2013

Shawn Andrews, 2004

Three in contention in 2023 first round:

Peter Skoronski, Northwestern

Paris Johnson, Ohio State

Broderick Jones, Georgia

Thoughts: It helps to have Jeff Stoutland around to mold a player at this position no matter what round they come in, but it’s telling that the Eagles haven’t taken one in the first round in four years. 

The chance they end that drought goes up even more when you factor in they lost two of their top linemen in free agency: Isaac Seumalo and Dillard.

QUARTERBACK

Drafted:

Carson Wentz, 2016

Note: Kevin Kolb was the team’s first pick in 2007 but came in the second round

Nobody is in contention in 2023 with Jalen Hurts and Marcus Mariota around.

CORNERBACK

Drafted:

Lito Sheppard, 2002

Three in contention in 2023 first round:

Joey Porter, Penn State

Kelee Ringo, Georgia

Emmanuel Forbes, Mississippi State

Thoughts: Obviously, Illinois’ Devon Witherspoon and Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez could be on this list, and maybe one will be taken but the interest in Porter is real and Ringo and Forbes could be the selection with their second pick in the first round.

That the Eagles haven’t taken a player at this position in 21 years, though is telling, and there’s no reason to think that drought ends now with the return of James Bradbery, the extension given to Darius Slay, and the signing of free agent Greedy Williams, added to a roster that includes Avonta Maddox, Zech McPhearson, and Josh Jobe.

LINEBACKER

As mentioned, Smith came as a linebacker, though he was used more as a defensive end. If he doesn't count as a linebacker, then the last time the Eagles took one was Jerry Robinson in 1979.

It seems pointless to name three who the Eagles could take in the first round because they simply won't do it.

TIGHT END

None were drafted, though Dallas Goedert was the first pick back in 2018, though he came in the second round.

RUNNING BACK

Not since Keith Byars in 1986 have the Eagles taken a player at this position in the opening round.

SAFETY

Never have the Eagles taken a player at this position in the first round.

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Ed Kracz covers the Philadelphia Eagles for SI's EaglesToday.

Please follow him and our Eagles coverage on Twitter at @kracze.

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