The 2019 NFL Draft is underway in Nashville, and FTW’s lead NFL writer Steven Ruiz is grading picks and offering analysis on how each player will fit with his new team.
No. 22 (from BAL): Andre Dillard, LT Washington State
Analysis: Howie Roseman does it again! The Eagles needed a franchise left tackle to replace Jason Peters, and they got one … at pick 22. That never happens. Dillard is the best pass protector in the class. He’s not overly powerful, but he doesn’t let people get by him. Washington State threw the ball a ton — and QB Gardner Minshew held the ball for an eternity — and Dillard gave up only one sack in all of 2018.
GRADE: A+
Round 2
No. 53: Miles Sanders, RB Penn State
Analysis: He’s not Saquon Barkley, but Miles Sanders is a strong runner with good testing numbers. I’m not sure he’s the best compliment to Jordan Howard — I would have preferred more of a receiving threat — but Sanders can play on third downs because of his pass blocking skills.
GRADE: C+
No. 57: J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, WR Stanford
Analysis: This is a better pick than the Eagles’ last one. Before the draft, I compared J.J. Arcega-Whiteside to Alshon Jeffery, so this is obviously a good fit and one that will help the Eagles’ cap situation down the road. Philadelphia is officially the most difficult team to defend in the red zone with Arcega-Whiteside., Zach Ertz, Dallas Goedert and Jeffrey on the roster.
