Eagles draft focuses on defense

One of the most anticipated drafts in Eagles history finished Saturday without much pageantry. The Eagles made six picks over three days, none of whom were named Marcus Mariota. They added five players to the defense, including three to their rebuilt secondary.

The "Do the deal!" pleas were likely not for the two unceremonious, sensible swaps that actually matriculated - one to move up in the second round, and one to acquire a future pick.

The first draft in which Chip Kelly had final say did not come with the craziness that some might have expected, but instead with further evidence of how he wants to build the roster. They were scheme-specific players who fit the desired prototypes at positions, and there was an emphasis on versatility in the defensive backfield.

The Eagles came away with Southern California wide receiver Nelson Agholor in the first round, Utah defensive back Eric Rowe in the second round, Texas linebacker Jordan Hicks in the third round, Kansas cornerback JaCorey Shepherd and Kansas State defensive back Randall Evans in the sixth round, and Boston College defensive lineman Brian Mihalik in the seventh round. They also picked up a 2016 third-round pick.

"It kind of fell the way we thought it was going to fall," Kelly said. "There were a couple guys . . . you hope he [lasts] a couple more picks, but realistically when they got picked, I think our scouting staff did a great job of slotting where we thought they were going to get picked."

The noticeable omission among their drafted players was an offensive lineman, which was the by-product of how the board fell on the first two days.

The emphasis was on upgrading the defense, with a priority in the secondary. Kelly realized that the organization had struggled drafting defensive backs in recent seasons, and he wanted to create a pipeline that would keep the team from needing to sign free agents every season. Kelly made clear that the team did not reach to address the position.

"When your needs match the board, that's when you're in good shape," Kelly said. "As we looked at it, we fit. But there was nowhere we went, 'We really have [a player] here, but let's push him up in this round and select him because it's that position.' "

Kelly did not want to wait until the draft to fill most of the needs. He noted that it was a deep running back draft, but the Eagles addressed the position in free agency, so they did not force a pick.

Not all of their needs were met, and he said he would pay attention to the offensive line and tight end to see whether the Eagles must supplement those positions. He also must determine which of the defensive backs will play cornerback or safety, because four of the nine cornerbacks can line up at either spot.

This was the first time that Kelly was in charge of the draft, along with Ed Marynowitz, the vice president of football operations. Kelly called the room "orderly" and said that decisions were not made in the room. They were made in predraft meetings when the team discussed scenarios.

He said former general manager Howie Roseman was in the room "advising." He credited Marynowitz's organization throughout the process and acknowledged a front office in which the coaches and scouts work together, and everyone is encouraged to have a voice. The only unacceptable answer is, "We've always done it that way."

"It can't be personnel department vs. coaches, coaches vs. personnel, you guys coach, we pick," Kelly said. "We're all on the same side. And all we want at the end of the day is the same goal."

This Eagles draft might be remembered for the player they did not pick, but it was a chance for Kelly to upgrade the roster. In his first offseason in charge, there will be no ambiguity about who was responsible for the picks. The question now is how the players perform and whether Kelly deserves credit or blame.

"My role hasn't really changed," Kelly said. "It's just if it comes between Player A and Player B, then [I] get to break the tie."