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The Philadelphia Eagles had a very disappointing 2020 season, as they finished it with a 4-11-1 record — the worst in the NFC East. After going through a tough year, the offseason definitely proved to be a crucial one for the Eagles who are seeking to bounce back and get back on the right track as soon as possible. However, general manager Howie Roseman and company still failed to find luck as they made some questionable decisions in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Seemingly bound to complete an unproductive offseason, the upcoming NFL season will most likely be another uphill climb for the struggling Eagles even under the leadership of their new head coach in Nick Sirianni.
Here are the two draft mistakes made by the Eagles in the recently-concluded proceedings:
1. Eagles not trading away Zach Ertz for assets
Prior to the 2020 season, veteran tight end Zach Ertz vocally expressed his desire to land a new contract with the Eagles but talks eventually broke down to his dismay. Things continued to go south for the Stanford product as he had a disappointing season marred by a high ankle sprain which ruled him out of several games. Through 11 appearances, he only recorded a total of 335 receiving yards on 36 receptions along with a lone touchdown for the Eagles.
It was quite surprising how Ertz still found himself playing in Philadelphia by the end of the campaign, given that he was linked to countless trade rumors all throughout the season. Given his frustrations with the contract talks, it became even more staggering that the Eagles decided to stick with Ertz as they chose not to trade him away heading to the 2021 NFL Draft.
Philadelphia could've gotten multiple assets in exchange for the three-time Pro Bowler in a trade for him prior to the draft. With Ertz staying with the Eagles, it is clear that the organization is still trying to repair the relationship between the two sides in a bid to work together again for the 2021 season.
However, cap implications along with Ertz's displeasure with the Eagles front office will definitely make it hard for the team to retain the services of their veteran tight end moving forward. Considering the situation, the Eagles are better off having multiple assets at their disposal instead of a wantaway player as they continue with their rebuilding efforts.
2. Prioritizing to draft Alabama center Landon Dickerson in the second round
Alabama center Landon Dickerson had an illustrious collegiate career as he bagged numerous awards in the amateur ranks. His accomplishments definitely proved that he possesses a great level of talent as an offensive lineman.
However, it was his injury history that made him a questionable draftee selected by the Eagles with the 37th pick in the second round. Dickerson already sustained two ACL injuries along with a handful of ankle injuries all throughout his collegiate career. Though his versatility to play various positions in the offensive line is definitely a great asset for any team, there are still question marks about his ability to stay healthy, especially as he makes the jump to the pros.
Given that he's injury-prone and the Eagles aren't in dire need of a young offensive lineman, the front office could've just used the 37th pick to address their other needs, especially on defense. The Eagles could've nabbed anyone from the promising talents at the linebacker position like Notre Dame's Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Missouri's Nick Bolton, or Ohio State's Pete Werner.
The team's cornerback unit also needs new reinforcements and they could've drafted Syracuse's Ifeatu Meifornwu, Minnesota's Benjamin St-Juste, or UCF's Aaron Robinson who were all available at the time. After prioritizing to draft Landon Dickerson above the other holes on their roster, the Eagles can only hope that the 22-year-old can stay healthy on the field and successfully live up to their expectations moving forward.
