Quantcast

Did the Eagles just have one of their worst drafts, ever?

by recklessfear | 5 months ago | 1 Comments

**Eagles’ Rookie Class Faces High Expectations After Offseason Losses**  


PHILADELPHIA – The confetti had barely been swept from the turf at Caesars Superdome before the Eagles were forced to confront a harsh reality: their Super Bowl window isn’t going to stay open on sentimentality. With legends like Lane Johnson, Brandon Graham, and Darius Slay hanging up their cleats, Howie Roseman and Nick Sirianni had to reload in April’s draft. But did they do enough?  

The Eagles' draft approach left some scratching their heads. Instead of aggressively replacing their departed veterans with top-tier prospects at positions of need, Roseman opted for a mix of athletic upside and long-term development pieces. Now, as training camp looms, the pressure is on this rookie class to prove the doubters wrong.  

 **Jamarcus Bryan, WR – Oregon (1.31)**  
The Eagles have been searching for a true WR3 to complement A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, and they hope Bryan is the answer. At 6'3", with track speed and massive hands, the Oregon product has all the physical traits you’d want in an outside receiver. The question is whether he can translate that raw talent into production against NFL defenses.  

The early word from OTAs? Flashes of brilliance, but inconsistency in his route-running and play recognition. Bryan has the tools to be a dangerous deep threat, but he’ll need to sharpen the details of his game if he wants to earn Jalen Hurts’ trust. Right now, Jahan Dotson and free agent addition D.J. Chark Jr aren’t just handing him the WR3 role—he’ll have to take it.  

 **Michael Santiago, TE – Ohio State (2.31)**  
With Dallas Goedert entrenched as TE1, the Eagles looked to add a complementary piece, and Santiago fits the bill. He’s a rugged blocker with soft hands and a work ethic that’s already earned him praise from the coaching staff.  

But here’s the issue: he’s not exactly a dynamic pass-catcher. Santiago isn’t the kind of guy who’s going to stretch the seam or demand targets. He’s more of a safety valve than a playmaker, and in an offense that already features two elite wideouts and Goedert, he might struggle to carve out a meaningful receiving role. That being said, if the Eagles want to keep leaning on their power run game, he’s going to be a big part of the equation.  

 **Shelton Randolph, LE – Texas (3.31)**  
Losing Brandon Graham isn’t just about replacing a defensive end—it’s about replacing a leader, a tone-setter, a Philly icon. Enter Shelton Randolph, a 6'4.5" athletic freak from Texas who looks the part of an NFL pass rusher but is as raw as they come.  

Randolph’s tape shows flashes of dominance—explosive first steps, long arms that can shed blockers—but also moments where he looks completely lost. He’s a project, plain and simple. The Eagles have the depth to ease him in, with Jalen Carter, Josh Sweat, and Nolan Smith leading the way, but there’s no guarantee he develops into anything more than a rotational guy. If the Eagles were looking for an immediate contributor, this might not have been the best pick.  

 **Did the Eagles Do Enough?**  
Losing Johnson, Graham, and Slay in one offseason is no small blow. Three core pieces of a Super Bowl team gone, and not a single clear-cut replacement drafted early. Instead, the Eagles went with upside plays, trusting their coaching staff to mold these rookies into long-term assets.  

It’s a gamble, and in Philly, we don’t have patience for gambles. Sirianni is optimistic, but that’s his job. The reality? This rookie class isn’t stepping into starring roles—at least not yet. If the Eagles are serious about getting back to the Super Bowl, it’s going to take more than a few promising rookies. It’s going to take veteran leadership, smart coaching, and maybe a little magic in the free-agent market.  

For now, we wait. And in this city, waiting comes with high expectations.