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The start of the NFL draft can sometimes act like a formality; with little surprise as to who is chosen at the top of the first round. The San Francisco 49ers’ trade in the top three certainly indicates that three quarters will come off the board with the top three picks, and there’s a very good chance that a fourth quarterback will also be caught with the fourth pick, which would be the first. times that four quarters are the top four choices.
Assuming the Cincinnati Bengals don’t trade, they’re in control to take the first non-quarterback in the draft with the fifth overall pick. Conventional wisdom says this player would be Oregon tackle Penei Sewell, but according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, the Philadelphia Eagles took over the sixth pick with the apparent belief that the Bengals will end up taking LSU wide receiver Ja’Marr. Chase.
The Eagles worked exclusively with the dolphins, and Roseman had to keep the trade a secret over the two-plus weeks in between to account for the explosive nature of how he would eventually collapse. And with some decent enough good luck, the Bengals will take LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase at five (we mentioned in our simulation this week that Joe Burrow gave Cincinnati Brass a commendation), Philly felt comfortable with the talent gap between six and 12 – and also worked knowing that it would be difficult to have a future first (he is Miami’s No.1 in 2022) in exchange to get closer to the draft, especially if it looked like the top four picks would be QBs.
Are the Eagles playing with that line of thinking? The Bengals are rumored to be targeting Sewell, but Breer mentioned last week that Joe Burrow is indeed pushing for the Bengals to draft Chase.
The Eagles have no way of knowing for sure who will pick the Bengals, even though they are certain four quarterbacks will come before them. This move couldn’t have been made with the certainty that Chase was gone, so maybe they are working with value in mind. Now with the 12th pick in the first round, the Eagles will likely be able to get one from Devonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle or even Kyle Pitts after a manageable trade past the Dallas Cowboys.
At this point, if the Bengals remain at five, the choice is bound to be one of Sewell or Chase. There is certainly a buzz for Chase right now, but I would say the safest bet would still be on Sewell until something more substantial is leaked.
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