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With Doug Pederson as the new head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, the franchise is hoping to rebound from its disappointing 7-9 2015 season. The Eagles do have a lot of holes to fill this offseason and will look to address them in the draft. Critics believed quarterback was the Eagles’ top need, but after signing Sam Bradford to a two-year deal, it is not imperative for the team to draft a quarterback in the first round. With that in mind, the Eagles should address their ailing offensive line first, and Jack Conklin should be on top of their wish list.
Conklin was originally a walk-on at Michigan State University. However, he immediately made an impact on the team and became the team’s starting left tackle during his freshman season. In fact, Conklin started in 38 of 39 games he played in for the Spartans and remained relatively healthy during his time at Michigan State. He did leave Michigan State with one year of eligibility left, but NFL scouts believe he is a first-round talent. At the combine, he validated everyone’s thoughts about him and solidified himself as one of the top linemen in this year’s draft.
Conklin showcased everything scouts like about him and showed off some skills scouts didn’t know he had. His 25 reps on the 225-pound bench press proved that he had the power and strength to be a starting offensive tackle, but he shocked scouts with his speed and quickness. Conklin demonstrated his quickness by posting a 5.00 40-yard dash and a 4.57 shuttle time. He also displayed his athleticism by showing his close-range explosiveness and agility in position specific drills. Conklin has everything the Eagles are looking for in a starting offensive lineman.
The Eagles’ offensive line played dreadfully at times. Whether it was run blocking or pass blocking, the offensive line never looked on the same page. Conklin would provide some stability for the Eagles. Pederson wants to do a variation of a spread offense with the Eagles. If that is the case, the Eagles need athletic offensive linemen who can run and pass block in space. When he was in college and at the combine, Conklin proved he has the perfect mix of power and athleticism that the Eagles are looking for.
While Conklin is not the flashiest draft prospect, he is certainly a good fit for the Eagles. He is a solid offensive lineman and has the potential to be a productive player for a long period of time. The Eagles will eventually draft a quarterback, but not until the later rounds. The Eagles should address their more pressing needs first, like offensive line. For this reason, Conklin should be the Eagles’ No. 1 draft prospect.
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