The 2017 NFL Combine kicks off today, the start of one of the biggest weeks on the NFL calendar.
Outside of learning where they will actually be selecting in the first round of the NFL Draft, the Eagles have plenty they need to accomplish during their time in Indianapolis.
Here is a look at what top personnel executive Howie Roseman, head coach Doug Pederson and the whole Eagles’ staff need to accomplish over the next week.
Mike Williams: The top receiver in the draft, regardless of what happens over the next week, is Clemson’s Mike Williams. He was the best receiver entering college football last season and he was the best when it ended.
The 6-foot-3, 225 pound Williams is the Eagles’ best chance at a difference maker, something they desperately need at the receiver position.
Where Williams is drafted is still very much up in the air, however, as mock drafts have him going everywhere from No. 5 overall, all the way down to the Eagles at either No. 14 or 15.
The Eagles must figure out where exactly they expect Williams to go, which teams like him, which teams don’t and decide if he is a realistic possibility as they try to fix their wide receiver group.
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Dede Westbrook: Outside of Williams, the Eagles’ best shot at a playmaker on offense in the draft at the receiver position might be Oklahoma’s Dede Westbrook.
Westbrook averaged a whopping 19.1 yards-per-catch last season, hauling in 17 touchdowns in the process. Westbrook has elite speed, and in many ways fits exactly what the Eagles looking for.
The issue?
Westbrook has twice been arrested for domestic violence, giving him some serious red flags entering the draft process.
The Eagles need to meet with Westbrook during their time in Indianapolis, and although they won’t get a final answer on how concerned they should be, sitting down with the speedy receiver should get the process started on figuring out if the red flags are enough to take him off their draft board.
Cornerbacks: The Eagles’ biggest need is cornerback, as they are going to need at least one — if not two — new starting corners next season.
The good news for the Eagles is that the first round of the draft seems to be setting up nicely for that need, as there should be at least two-or-three very quality cornerbacks available midway through the first round.
What Eagles need to accomplish at NFL Combine
The key for the Eagles will be deciding which one is the right fit for them. Is it Florida’s Teez Tabor, or Washington’s Sidney Jones? Or Maybe Iowa’s Desmond King?
The Eagles need to start really forming their cornerback rankings during their time at the Combine.
Connor Barwin & Jason Kelce: One big issue the Eagles need to solve while they are at the Combine has nothing to do with the draft.
According to a person familiar with the situation who requested anonymity, the Eagles will be meeting with the agents of both defensive end Connor Barwin and center Jason Kelce this week, and the meetings are expected to result in some clarity on the future of both players.
Barwin has a $8.35 million cap hit next season, but if he is released, the Eagles would save $7.75 million against the cap. Kelce has a cap hit of $6.62 million this upcoming season, and would open up $3.8 million in cap space if released.
It is possible the Eagles move on from both players, or restructure their deals. A trade is also possible, as both players still have value around the league.
Whatever the outcome, however, the Eagles can’t leave Indianapolis unsure of what will be happening to potentially $11.5 million in salary cap space.
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Eliot Shorr-Parks may be reached at eshorrpa@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @EliotShorrParks. Find NJ.com Eagles on Facebook.
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