The Philadelphia Eagles are in a prime position as the NFL draft starts next week on Thursday, as the team has the fourth overall pick and a chance to add a high-impact player just one year after having a terrible season and that player could be a quarterback.
According to Philly.com, the team could draft another quarterback to sit behind Nick Foles and Michael Vick, who both split the reps in Chip Kelly's first official practice as head coach, fueling speculation about who will start when the season begins. Both players took turns with the starting offense at practice on Tuesday and Kelly said that the competition was currently even as the offseason heads into the draft and summer.
The Eagles just released Trent Edwards and now has Dennis Dixon, Vick, Foles and GJ Kinne, who will likely not factor into the starting competition. Foles had the chance to start after Vick was injured last season and played fairly well despite the fact that the Eagles lost 11 of their final 12 games of the year. The team went just 4-12 and the poor result ended with Andy Reid getting fired.
Scouts around the league have anticipated seeing Kelly's offense in the NFL and based on what he did at Oregon, Vick is the likely choice to start, although that could change depending on who the team drafts. The quarterback position could be intriguing, as the Eagles could have a selection of anyone they want if the three teams ahead decide not to take Ryan Nassib, Geno Smith or Matt Barkley.
The Chiefs are likely to take a lineman in Eric Fisher or Luke Joeckel, while the Jaguars may take Sharrif Floyd, leaving the Raiders to select Dee Milliner or Jarvis Jones, which would allow the Eagles to add the quarterback. Kelly could develop one of the quarterbacks behind Vick, who signed a two-year deal with the team after there were reports he would be released.
Kelly spoke about his expectations for next season and he said that he feels there are many areas where the Eagles can improve.
