NFL Draft 2018: Ranking the Eagles' biggest remaining needs

Posted April 27, 2018 at 05:30 AM | Updated April 27, 2018 at 05:31 AM

By Eliot Shorr-Parks | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

The first round of the 2018 NFL Draft came and went on Thursday night without the Eagles making a selection, the result of their trade with the Baltimore Ravens that moved them from No. 32 overall to No. 52.

Although the trade did net them a second-round pick in 2019, it also means they are back to square one on Friday when it comes to improving their roster for 2018.

Here is a look at some of the Eagles' biggest needs on the roster entering the second day of the 2018 NFL Draft:

Howie Roseman

Michael Perez | AP PHOTO

Defensive end to develop

The Eagles had arguably the best defensive line in the NFL last season. That very well could be the case in 2018 as well.

As for 2019?

Well, that is when things could get dicey for the Eagles, as it is possible Brandon Graham, Chris Long and Michael Bennett are all gone after this upcoming season. Graham is currently set to become a free agent, Long almost didn't come back for 2018 and cutting Bennett would save the Eagles $7 million in salary cap space.

Even if all three don't leave, the Eagles still need a defensive end to develop to play across from Derek Barnett for the next five-plus years. The defensive end they draft doesn't have to be ready to contribute next season, but a player with elite physical traits that they can coach up for 2019 is a need heading into the last two days of the draft.

Offensive tackle

Even if he wasn't coming off of a season-ending knee injury, there would still be a chance this was Jason Peters last season with the team. Add in the knee injury, his age (36-years old) and his cap hit for 2019 ($10.6 million), and it is very likely Peters isn't back in 2019.

Unless the Eagles see Halapoulivaati Vaitai as Peters' long-term replacement, they need to draft an offensive tackle soon to prepare for Peters' departure.

Punt/kick returner

Although the Eagles' special teams had a strong finish to the season, they took a big step back last overall, especially at kick and punt returner. Kenjon Barner did a good job -- for most of the season -- taking care of the ball, but he was not the dynamic return that Darren Sproles has been over the last few years.

Adding a receiver or cornerback late in the draft that can also return kicks should be a priority for the Eagles.

Blocking tight end

The loss of Brent Celek might not hurt the Eagles in the passing game, but the job that he did blocking last season in the run game should not be overlooked -- and the Eagles need to find a tight end to take his spot in 2018.

Zach Ertz might be the best tight end in the league, but the Eagles do not want to use him in the same blocking role they had Celek in last season. Veteran tight end Richard Rodgers, that was signed earlier this offseason, is also not considered a strong blocker.

The Eagles need to find a tight end that has potential in the passing game but is already a strong blocker.

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