PHILADELPHIA -- NFL teams are in the home stretch of preparations for the 2016 draft. Philadelphia Eagles executive vice president Howie Roseman traded up to the No. 8 spot because, he said, the Eagles feel there are 10 elite players available in this year’s draft.
For the next two weeks, we’ll look at one player a day who could be on Roseman’s elite list.
Laremy Tunsil, offensive tackle, Mississippi.
Thumbnail: The 6-foot-5, 305-pound Tunsil is generally considered not only the best offensive tackle in this draft, but perhaps the best player overall. According to Pro Football Focus, Tunsil faced some of the best edge rushers in college football. He allowed just five quarterback pressures in 185 pass-blocking efforts.
On the other hand: Tunsil missed time due to injuries in each of his three seasons at Ole Miss. He also missed seven games due to an NCAA suspension for receiving illegal benefits and failing to cooperate with investigators. The Eagles would have to feel very comfortable with those issues before making a move for Tunsil.
How he fits: The Eagles drafted Lane Johnson with the No. 4 pick in 2013 and extended his contract just last month. That gives them one long-term solution at offensive tackle.
But Jason Peters is 34 and coming off a tough year in which he was plagued with injuries. If Doug Pederson is looking to build a program similar to Andy Reid’s, he must be well aware of the roles played by Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan. The Eagles could use a long-term bookend for Johnson.
What are the chances: Slim and none. Tunsil could well be the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. The Tennessee Titans are looking to build an offensive line in front of their own franchise quarterback, Marcus Mariota. Tunsil would help tremendously in that effort.
There have been whispers that the Titans are open to trading that pick. If the Eagles were to make a move up to No. 1, it would likely be for a quarterback. That would allow the Titans to drop down to No. 8 and take the best offensive lineman remaining on their board.
It would be surprising if the Eagles gave up what it would take to move from No. 8 to the top of the draft for a tackle.
Other options: Notre Dame’s Ronnie Stanley and Michigan State’s Jack Conklin could be among the top 10 players that Roseman referred to. If the Eagles stay at No. 8, they should have a chance for one of them. They could even have their pick of the two.