Eagles Wake-Up Call: Morning Notes

Jack Conklin. (USA Today Sports Images)

Have to start with ‘Nova, right? Congrats to Jay Wright and Villanova. One of the great finishes in NCAA history, and it delivers a local team a championship. Beautiful end to a tremendous run for a class team.

And what a shot.

THE SHOT HEARD ‘ROUND THE WORLD: https://t.co/JTFshhTI0p https://t.co/rIcXuHzr0p

— SB Nation (@SBNation) April 5, 2016

*Lance Zierlein of NFL.com added fuel to the theory that the Eagles are hot after Carson Wentz during an interview with Harry Mayes and Rob Ellis on 97.5 The Fanatic Monday.

“Make no mistake about it, I still think the Eagles first and foremost are trying to find a way to get Carson Wentz. I know Doug Pederson loves him,” he said. “I know that from people behind the scenes, in the know. That’s who he wants and that’s who he likes. It’s just going to be tough — to move up that far is going to be a challenge.”

Though not necessarily impossible. Zierlein believes that Tennessee could be convinced to move out of the No. 1 slot. Similarly, he thinks Cleveland could also be swayed “if someone is willing to give up an RGIII deal.” (Washington surrendered the No. 6 overall pick, two additional first rounders and a second rounder to the Rams to move up four slots in the 2012 draft for Robert Griffin.)

“I think one or two could be for sale. For the first time in quite a while I do think there is at least a 50-50 chance that No. 1 or No. 2 is a potential trade-out spot,” said Zierlein. “Usually we talk about it a lot, it doesn’t happen, but I think it could happen this year because of the amount of excitement that Carson Wentz is generating in this draft.”

*Zierlein was originally brought on to talk about his mock draft, which has the Eagles taking Michigan State offensive tackle Jack Conklin with the eighth pick over Notre Dame’s Ronnie Stanley. 

“My comp on Conklin is actually Jon Runyan. He’s a better athlete than Runyan but he’s got some of the nastiness, the determination,” said Zierlein. “I think solid pass pro, can be a bigger impact in the running game. And I just think for what the Philadelphia Eagles want and need, he’s just a  better fit.

“I just think the tough guy in Jack Conklin will be appealing to the new regime — or the new, old regime I should say, I guess — than the athletic Ronnie Stanley.”

*The Eagles worked out Cal receiver/returner Trevor Davis recently, according to a source. Davis (4.42) had the third-fastest 40 time among receivers at the Combine. The former track standout had 40 catches for 672 yards (16.8 avg.) and 686 kick return yards last season.

Davis (6-1, 188) could end up being a Day 3 pick.

The Eagles continue to look at burners. Earlier in the pre-draft process they brought in  TCU  receiver Kolby Listenbee, who was the second-fastest wideout in Indy.

*The Eagles’ offseason training program opened Monday. Because they switched head coaches, they are permitted a bit of a head start (teams with returning coaches begin on April 18) and get an extra minicamp as well (April 19-21). They will be in Phase One for the first two weeks, with activities limited to strength and conditioning and physical rehabilitation only.

Here’s the schedule in case you’re interested:

Voluntary Minicamp: April 19-21
Offseason Workouts: May 17-19, May 24-26, May 31, June 1-3
Mandatory Minicamp: June 7-9

WHAT YOU MISSED

No charges expected for LeSean McCoy. Josh has the latest.

More on Peter King’s take that the Eagles could be in the mix for the top pick.

Analysis of the Eagles newest signing, guard Stefen Wisniewski.

Delve into some Ezekiel Elliott tape with Josh in his Draft Daily Wake-Up Call.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

In response to Peter King, Jimmy Kempski looked into the idea of trading up to number one.

While trading into the No. 1  spot would likely not be cheap, allow me to go ahead and reveal a spoiler — Nobody is giving up anything close to what the Redskins gave up four years ago so that they can draft either Carson Wentz or Jared Goff.

Wentz and Goff are great quarterback prospects worthy of being drafted highly, in my opinion, but certainly they are not Andrew Luck. If the Eagles have interest in making a move to the top spot, competition from other teams vying for a quarterback could raise the cost some, but it’s difficult to imagine anyone doing whatever is necessary to get that top pick.

Last year was a good year for the Titans to be picking in the top two. This year their No. 1 overall status is nowhere near as strong, and surely rest of the league knows it. Overpaying to land the top spot would indeed be “desperation,” or perhaps better stated, a failure to recognize that the decreased value of that spot.

Tommy Lawlor evaluates Howie Roseman‘s offseason.

The key is making the right signings. That means finding talented players who fit the roles you have on the team. Daniel knows Pederson from their KC days. McKelvin, Brooks and Bradham know Schwartz. The coaches know how to use these players. The Eagles had a big hole at RG. They spent big on a big body to fill that hole. Wisniewski comes to the Eagles to challenge for the LG spot, but he’s also able to be the backup C. He’s played both spots in the NFL.

Here’s a simple way to think of Howie and the kind of signings he has made. In the past, he made moves that impressed Jerry Jones. This year he is making moves that would be more likely to impress Ozzie Newsome.

First, you focus on your own players. The Eagles re-signed several free agents and gave extensions to others. When you do turn to outsiders, don’t just go out and sign the most talented players. Fight the right guys. Build a team.

So far, so good.

COMING UP

Could Joey Bosa slip to eight? Paunil explores in the latest Draft Daily.