The Philadelphia Eagles took home the NFC East title in 2019. However, they have a lot of improving to do.
Although they won the division, it was more due to the weakness of the NFC East. Philadelphia went just 9-7 and was promptly bounced from the playoffs in the Wild Card round by the Seattle Seahawks.
So even though they have some clear steps to make, Philadelphia does not get an early pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. In fact, their pick comes all the way at number 21.
Who will they take with that pick though? A team that is good enough to win their division, but won't get much further than that.
What about wide receiver Justin Jefferson from LSU? Here's why he's the perfect fit for the Eagles with pick number 21.
There's a very simple reason to start out with. The Eagles desperately need a wide receiver. Most people would probably agree that it's their biggest need in fact.
The Eagles ended the playoffs with Greg Ward as a top target. Ward was an undrafted rookie in 2017, coming out of Houston as a quarterback.
J.J. Arcega-Whiteside was drafted by Philadelphia in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft. But he ended last season with just 10 receptions for 169 yards and one touchdown. So while he has a lot of potential, it wouldn't be all that wise to expect him to suddenly put up big numbers in 2020.
With all that in mind, it's obvious that the Eagles should take a wide receiver in the first round.
And there are a few reasons it should be Jefferson.
The first reason is another simple one. He will likely be the best receiver available.
Jefferson boasted incredible numbers in 2019. He racked up 111 receptions for 1,540 yards and 18 touchdowns.
List at 6'3″, 192 lbs, he's got a big frame. But Jefferson isn't just a big body. He's a big body with speed and athleticism. Jefferson can run routes extremely well, burn past defenders, and jump over them to make the play with his incredibly sure hands.
He would be an immediate upgrade for the Eagles. In fact, he would probably be their best receiver the second he was announced as their draft pick.
Getting weapons for quarterback Carson Wentz has to be the number one concern for the Eagles right now. They can't continue to waste the best years of his career with questionable targets.
Jefferson gives them an elite-potential weapon that they will have (pretty cheap) team control over for a while. That gives them a nice window to work with.
Not only is Jefferson at the position of most need for Philadelphia, but he's one of the most talented players in the draft. It's pretty obvious why the Eagles should take him with the 21st pick.
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