Don’t Rule Out a WR in the First Round

We all know cornerback is the Eagles biggest need, the deep corner class just got a little bit thinner with the news on Ohio State corner Gareon Conley and the earlier injury to Sidney Jones. 

This will have an impact on the Eagles come draft day.

Conley, a first-round consideration for Philadelphia, is under investigation after an accusation of sexual assault was revealed Tuesday. Jones a corner from Washington, ruptured his Achilles at his pro day workout in March.

It’s hard to tell how these issues will affect the players’ draft stock, but it will cause some changes for the Eagles. General manager Howie Roseman, along with Joe Douglas and Andy Weidl will most likely have the chance to draft either guy when they are on the clock at No. 14. While Jones will almost certainly not be the pick at No. 14, would the Eagles consider him at No. 43 - many draft evaluators have Jones coming off-the-board anywhere from late-Rd. 1 to Round 3.

Here are a few Eagles draft thoughts with the draft tomorrow:

• Conley might have been an interesting possibility for the Eagles in the first round. Though he may not be the top corner in the draft, he was definitely as strong possibility for the Birds in Round one and could be plugged in as a starter right away. It’s not known how the allegation will influence what the Eagles do if he’s available at 14 - but yesterday on the Sports Bash, 973ESPN.com Eagles insider John McMullen said: "I would say he is out of the mix."

• I’m not sold that the Eagles will draft a cornerback in the first round, like many fans have speculated.  Sure, there will be some tempting options at 14, but I could see the Eagles taking a wide receiver, a running back or even tight end O.J. Howard if he is available in the first round instead. Howard might be too good and intriguing option to pass up for the Eagles, giving Carson Wentz a elite weapon in the first round. At wide receiver, adding Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith, could allow the Eagles to explore a deal for Jordan Matthews, adding a wide out at No. 14 and adding another pick later in the draft to add some defense, particularly cornerback.

• The Eagles recently had Tennessee defensive end Derek Barnett in for a pre-draft visit. He has interior pass-rushing ability and has the potential to land as a top-10 pick, but the Eagles would have to consider him if he was on the board at No. 14. The 6-foot-3, 259-pound Barnett has the ability to rush the passer, but his athletic ability has been questioned.