Super Bowl champs three years ago, the Eagles are in free fall after several draft failures.
Draft failures by GM Roseman have team in nosedive
Three years after winning a Super Bowl, the Philadelphia Eagles are spiraling.
There are questions about coach Doug Pederson’s job security and Carson Wentz’s future as quarterback. But the responsibility for the team’s collapse begins at the top.
The Eagles (3-7-1) have missed terribly in the draft since Howie Roseman regained control of personnel decisions following Chip Kelly ’s firing in December 2015.
Every team passed on wide receiver DK Metcalf, who was chosen by the Seahawks with the last pick of the second round of the 2019 draft. But the Eagles skipped him three times and took wideout J.J. Arcega-whiteside with their second pick of the second round. ArcegaWhiteside has 12 career catches and was a healthy inactive before landing on the COVID -19/reserve list.
Metcalf had 10 catches for 177 yards in Seattle’s 23-17 win over the Eagles on Monday night. He already has 1,039 yards receiving this season and nine touchdowns, one more than all of Philadelphia’s wide receivers have combined.
The Eagles took wide receiver Jalen Reagor at No. 21 in this year’s draft. Reagor has 19 catches for 222 yards and one TD in six games, missing five because of injuries. Justin Jefferson went to Minnesota with the next pick. He has 52 receptions for 918 yards and six TDS.
Philadelphia then took quarterback Jalen Hurts in the second round, even though Wentz’s $128 million, four-year contract extension kicks in next year. Running backs J.K. Dobbins and Antonio Gibson were on the board and could’ve contributed immediately to a stale offense.
The draft failures go back further.
Wentz is the only player selected by Philadelphia since 2014 to make a Pro Bowl. No one has been an All-pro.
The organization’s success rate on top picks has been abysmal since right tackle Lane Johnson and tight end Zach Ertz were the first two selections in 2013.
Pederson has accepted blame for the offense’s dismal performance. Wentz and other players have done the same.
Has the front office communicated to the coach its role in the team’s struggles?
“Those conversations are private,” Pederson said Monday. “I’m not going to get into that. This is not the time or the place to really get into those types of conversations.”
Giants: Linebacker Kyler Fackrell was placed on injured reserve with a calf injury and will miss at least three games. Browns: Defensive star Myles Garrett was activated from the COVID-19 list after missing two games with the virus.
Colts: Punter Rigoberto Sanchez said surgery to remove a cancerous tumor went well. The four-year veteran, who doubles as the Colts’ kickoff specialist, made the announcement in a Twitter post Tuesday night, one day after he revealed the diagnosis on social media. Falcons: Atlanta placed wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus on injured reserve with a toe injury. Packers: Green Bay signed wide receiver Tavon Austin and released wide receiver Darrius Shepherd.
Texans: Cornerback Bradley Roby was suspended for six games for violating the NFL’S policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
Vikings: Minnesota waived long snapper Austin Cutting.