Polls: Fans Give Draft 'B' Grade, Say Team Is Better Than Last Year
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- When players were being cut, traded, and signed left and right as part of Chip Kelly's chaotic inaugural offseason with personnel control of the Philadelphia Eagles, many folks took the "wait and see until after the draft" approach.
Over the weekend Kelly completed his first draft with "final say," and now, the 2015 Eagles' roster is more palpable. Now, we can start to evaluate it.
On the 94WIP Morning Show's Audio Roadshow poll question, the plurality of fans (39-percent) gave Kelly a "B" for his first draft. 30-percent of fans gave Kelly the coveted "A" grade, while just nine-percent gave him a "D" or "F."
The Eagles started with eight picks, but drafted just six players after making two trades. Of the six players Kelly selected, WR Nelson Agholor (No. 20 overall) was the only offensive player taken by the Eagles, a franchise first.
Agholor, combined with the respective second and third round selections of defensive back Eric Rowe (No. 47) and linebacker Jordan Hicks (No. 84), filled key needs heading into the 2015 season.
With those needs at wide receiver and secondary addressed in the draft, the offensive line (see: Mathis, Evan) seems to be the team's biggest weakness. Nevertheless, the unit boasts four potential Pro Bowlers in Jason Peters, Jason Kelce, Lane Johnson, and the aforementioned Mathis, assuming he remains an Eagle.
The most dubious part of the Birds' roster comes at the most crucial position, thanks to new quarterback Sam Bradford. Bradford, the former 2010 No. 1 overall pick out of Oklahoma, has played just seven games over the past two years with the St. Louis Rams due to two ACL tears.
Still, according to Monday's 94WIP Mike & Ike Show, the majority of fans (64-percent) say the team is better now than they were at the end of their 10-win 2014 season.