The Philadelphia Eagles selected Miles Sanders at No. 53 overall and J.J. Arcega-Whiteside at No. 57 overall in the 2019 NFL Draft. There was thought the team might trade down and/or take a defensive player with at least one of their picks but instead the Eagles are loading up on offensive talent.Now it’s time to see how the so-called “experts” have graded these selections. Draft grades are hardly the ultimate determination of whether a pick is actually good or not Youth Brian Westbrook Jerseys , but it’s still interesting to see what non-Eagles fans are saying about the selection.But before we do that, let’s look at how Eagles fans reacted to the picks here at Bleeding Green Nation. With just over 3,700 votes cast, 89% of Eagles fans are giving the Sanders selection either an “A” or “B” grade.I’ll give the Sanders pick a “B” grade.Some things I do like about the Sanders pick:The Eagles FINALLY drafted a talented running back. They’re no longer going overboard in neglecting the position.Sanders has low mileage after only logging 308 total touches in three years at Penn State.Sanders fits the Eagles’ need for a back who can make defenders miss and is able to contribute as a pass catcher.Sanders can be the 1A in the Eagles’ running back rotation but he doesn’t necessarily need to carry the ground game right away with Jordan Howard in the fold.Sanders is only 21 and might have some untapped potential after being used in a limited role in college. There’s some thought he could end up being the best back from this class.Sanders has a strong athletic profile:Some things I don’t like about the Sanders pick:Ball security issues. Sanders had five fumbles in 2018. Sanders gets knocked for poor vision and struggles in pass protection. These issues, combined with the fumbling thing, remind me of why Wendell Smallwood can be so frustrating. Sanders is better than Smallwood but, still Youth Herman Edwards Jerseys , this line from Thor Nystrom sums up my concern with this pick: “If Sanders hits his ceiling, he’s going to become one of the best backs in this class — perhaps even the very best. If it turns out that this is just sort of who he is, then he’ll be a solid-enough committee guy, eminently replaceable.” You don’t take a running back at No. 53 overall to be “Just A Guy.” There’s pressure on Sanders to produce at a fairly high level.Sanders only ranked 13th among draft eligible running backs in yards after contact per attempt, per Pro Football Focus.The downside to Sanders’ low usage is that’s there isn’t a huge track record of production and experience. Now let’s take a look at how Eagles fans are grading the JJAW pick. With just under 4,200 votes cast, only 65% are giving the pick a “B” grade or better.I’ll give the JJAW pick a B-.Some things I do like about the JJAW pick:The Eagles are loading up on weapons for Carson Wentz. That’s always nice to see. Investing in offense in general is a good philosophy. It’s no coincidence the top four offenses in the NFL (Chiefs Wes Hopkins Jerseys Stitched , Patriots, Saints, Rams) were all playing in the Conference Championship Games this year.JJAW is absolute beast at the catch point. Ever since Terrell Owens entered my life, I’ve always had a soft spot for big guys who look unguardable on jump balls. The Eagles have a lot of size with JJAW, Alshon Jeffery, Zach Ertz, Dallas Goedert Youth Seth Joyner Jerseys , and even Mack Hollins. Their red zone efficiency could improve in 2019 after dropping to 17th last season.JJAW can potentially replace Jeffery down the road. Jeffery has a near $16 million cap number in 2020 and can be cut to save just over $10 million. To be clear, I’m not rushing Jeffery out the door. Just saying the option will be there.The Eagles have talked about how they believe wide receiver is a position that really takes time to learn in the NFL. JJAW won’t immediately be forced into a huge role.Some things I don’t like about the JJAW pick:Not perfectly sure how JJAW fits into this offense. Jeffery, DeSean Jackson, and Nelson Agholor are the current projected starters. Does Agholor get traded? There’s been buzz that he’s available but Howie Roseman downplayed that idea on Friday night. How much playing time does JJAW get if Agholor stays?JJAW reportedly ran in the 4.4’s and actually ranked 11th in explosive players in 2018 but there are questions how his play speed will translate to the NFL. It felt like the Eagles had the most tackleable offense in the NFL last year. Too many guys who can’t make stuff happen with the ball in their hands. JJAW is another guy who isn’t going to get this team YAC.Speaking of translation issues, how much will JJAW be able to rely on catching jump balls in the NFL? The Eagles weren’t able to trade down and acquire more picks ... or address their defense at all so far.It’s going to be annoying to type out JJAW’s full name at times. Will no one think of the bloggers?! Also: how are we pronouncing JJAW out loud? Jay jaw? Jay jay ay doubleyou? You have to be concerned JJAW doesn’t pass the Jack Fritz name test.Now for more hot takes and draft grades from “experts” around the web.ESPN (Winners)The Athletic (A- and B for Sanders; B and B- for JJAW)Sanders:JJAW:NFL.com (A)Bleacher Report (B for Sanders, A- for JJAW)DraftWire (B for Sanders; B for JJAW)Another receiver not named D.K. Metcalf comes off the board. Getting more weapons for Carson Wentz is a priority, and this is one of the best red-zone targets in the draft.CBS Sports (A for Sanders; B+ for JJAW)Sports Illustrated (A for Sanders; B for JJAW) But not serious ones."So it seems like the Philadelphia Eagles were involved in trade talks for Antonio Brown after all. To some extent Black Harold Carmichael Jerseys , at least.ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports the Eagles “were players” for Brown but their interest was “not serious enough.” NFL insider Adam Schefter offered some more context:This reporting follows Jason La Canfora doubling down on his previous report that the Eagles were a team to watch in a potential Brown trade. La Canfora said the Eagles, Raiders, and Redskins were the three teams that “continued to engage” with Pittsburgh following the trade with the Bills that fell through.Of course, the Raiders ended up being the team most willing to trade for Brown. Oakland sent a 2019 third-round pick and a 2019 fifth-round pick to the Steelers. The Raiders were also willing to give Brown an extra $30 million guaranteed.As we previously wrote, trading for Brown was never a slam dunk move for the Eagles. It’s no surprise that they ultimately passed on him. It’s also no surprise that the Eagles showed some interest because Howie Roseman is one of the most active executives in the league and Brown is a future Hall of Fame talent. The Eagles ultimately didn’t do what it took to get Brown. Fans should still appreciate the Eagles were at least interested in seeing what it would take to get him to Philly. Roseman’s penchant for being aggressive didn’t manifest in this scenario but we can expect the Eagles to make some other interesting additions this offseason.
