Roseman went on to say that it’s essential to know “those guys backwards and forwards,” and so that’s the task. That has been the focus. They are looking to build on an already-strong roster throughout the NFL Draft weekend, including the critical post-draft period.
You can be sure that Roseman will allow the first round of the draft to materialize and develop. After that? Once the draft is in its mid-20s? Roseman is going to have his ears perking.
Anything can happen, as we’ve learned so many times through the years.
“Maybe that’s an example of being on the outside and looking at the league when I was studying it, before I got into the league, and then coming into the league and understanding that there were opportunities to maybe get aggressive,” said Roseman, who joined the Eagles in 2000. “With that also comes risk, right? All those moves don’t always work out and it’s probably more conservative to just stand pat, stay where you are, whether it’s with players on your team or during the draft, and kind of see what comes to you.
“When you trade up in a draft, you gotta deal with the consequences of who ends up being there with the side you move out on. Sometimes, you say, ‘Man, I could have sat there and got this player.’ So, you have to deal with that, too. For me, being aggressive has always been part of my DNA.”
That is the Eagles’ way, which is why Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie has for so many years talked about his disdain for being risk-averse. The philosophy has worked well enough for the Eagles to reach the postseason 19 times in Lurie’s 31 seasons here, with two Lombardi Trophies in the NovaCare Complex display case.
Where will the Eagles focus their attention in this NFL Draft? As usual, there are no real clues. Roseman said that this Draft Class presents opportunities, as he says correctly every spring. The Eagles do not have 32 players with first-round grades – that just does not happen, Roseman said.