Could the Eagles pass up a WR in the first-round for a defensive playmaker?

The Philadelphia Eagles could choose to go defense with their first-round pick because of the deep draft class

The talk of the NFL Draft process has centered around the Philadelphia Eagles coveting a wide receiver in the April selection process.

Whether it be Henry Ruggs III, Tee Higgins or Justin Jefferson, the Eagles have been linked to a wide receiver, but with this draft class being so deep, could Howie Roseman forgo an offensive player in the first round to target a defensive playmaker at No. 21?

Whether it be at the safety, cornerback, or defensive end position, the quality of player drops after the top 3 or 4 highest rated guys come off the board.

At wide receiver, the Eagles could get a player in the second, third or fourth round with the same NFL projection as some of their first-round counterparts.

In a recent NFL mock draft from The Athletic’s Bo Wulf and Zach Berman, the Eagles go defense in one mock, choosing to double-back and address the wide receiver position with later round picks.

If guys like Ruggs III and Justin Jefferson, the Eagles could decide that guys like Tee Higgins, Laviska Shenault, Jalen Reagor, KJ Hamler, Denzel Mims, and Brandon Aiyuk could hold similar value.

At that point, could the Eagles choose to address the needs at defensive end or safety with their first-round pick?

It hasn’t been a hot topic during the NFL draft process, but the Eagles could definitely be in the market for youth and more talent along the defensive front.

With guys like A.J. Epenesa, Javon Kinlaw, Neville Gallimore, Marlon Davis of Auburn, Xavier McKinney, Grant Delpit and others available, the Eagles could shock the world and go defense with the first-round pick.

it would have to be a player the Eagles could utilize as an integral part of their defense for years to come, but it’s definitely a possibility, especially if the player the Birds covet is off the board.