Carson Palmer Calls Matt Barkley a ‘Steal’ for the Eagles

At least one current NFL quarterback thinks the Eagles got a steal by taking USC signal-caller Matt Barkley in the fourth round; Cardinals QB and former Trojan Carson Palmer is a fan of the pick.

"For him to go in the fourth round is an absolute steal," Palmer said on NFL Total Access. "I think the bigger question is how he fits into that system and only time will tell that. But whether the guy can play or not, he can absolutely play and I know he's excited to prove a lot of people wrong."

(Watch Carson Palmer on NFL Total Access)

To prove people wrong, Barkley is going to need to be healthy.  He suffered a separated shoulder and it was something that had scouts worried leading up to the draft and could have been one of the reasons he slipped to the Eagles in the fourth round.

However, Barkley pronounced himself "good to go" for OTAs.

"I just can't wait to get into minicamps and prove myself and show that I do have a strong arm, and I am capable of playing in this league, and playing strong," Barkley said.

Despite the injury and struggles his senior season at USC, Palmer, the former Heisman trophey winner, thinks that is all in the past.

"I know Matt can play. I've had the opportunity to workout with him over the last couple of years and I've obviously had a chance to watch him play," Palmer said.

Injury isn't the only question about Barkley's future in the NFL, many have wondered how he will fit into what Chip Kelly wants to do offensively.  Many NFL observers believe Kelly's offense will be a faced-paced, quick decision making type of offense, making people wonder how Barkley will fit.

"For him to go in the fourth round is an absolute steal. I think the bigger question is how he fits into that system, and only time will tell that," Palmer stated.  "But whether the guy can play or not, he can absolutely play, and I know he's excited to prove a lot of people wrong."