With two weeks to go until the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles have already been connected to just about every top-5 and most every possible top-10 prospect under the sun. Carson Wentz? You bet they covet the small school wonder. Jared Goff? Why he's just Doug Pederson's version of Alex Smith. Jalen Ramsey? Who wouldn't want a player with that much talent who brings that much confidence and versatility to the secondary? Myles Jack and Joey Bosa? They'd be lucky to land elite defenders like that.
Oh, and Ezekiel Elliott, the best back in all of 2016 NFL Draft Land? Well the Eagles are either enamored, interested, or full-on head-over-heels in love with the former Buckeye ballcarrier.
In short, the only player the Eagles haven't been connected with at this point, but who they should look to acquire via a trade up later this month, is Ole Miss tackle Laremy Tunsil.
And after the Los Angeles Rams traded into the first slot with the Tennessee Titans, the Eagles and GM/not GM Howie Roseman actually have a chance to pull it off.
When the Titans were stuck at the top of the draft with no use for a franchise quarterback and in dire need of a Marcus Mariota-protecting left tackle, it seemed a no-brainer that they'd select Tunsil, a player who, by just about any measure, is the closest thing to a surefire long-term starter at his, or any, position in the entire draft.
In short, Tunsil is the kind of guy you draft, plug in at left tackle, and forget about for the next 10 years. And while that's an obscene exaggeration, Tunsil is the kind of player who comes into the league trailed closely by words like "elite," "high-end," and "uncompromised."
The Eagles, should they see an opportunity at No. 2 with Cleveland, who are said to be desperate to move back and pick up extra picks, or No. 5 with Jacksonville, a team probably thinking similarly to the Browns, need to fork over whatever picks or players not named Fletcher Cox it costs to move up and select Tunsil.
Jason Peters, ironically the very same type of "set it and forget it" left tackle than Tunsil is purported to be, isn't getting any younger. A testament to his elite ability, even at age 34 and with a declining skillset, Peters is a top-notch starter at tackle. He is, as he put it at the end of a difficult 2015 season, the Eagles' best option for left tackle in 2016.
Unless they pick up Tunsil.
Now, it won't be easy and it won't be cheap, but if the price isn't prohibitive the Eagles should seriously consider making up a move up for Tunsil. It would immediately solidify their offensive line on both ends and, for 2016, give them an absolute embarrassment of riches in front of Sam Bradford and whoever winds up running the ball.
And sure, Doug Pederson would probably prefer to land his future franchise signal-caller, a guy he can "grow" with, via this draft, but the nature of Bradford's two-year deal means the Eagles don't absolutely have to land their QBOTF right here, right now.
If the Eagles did land Tunsil, t's not as simple as saying, "Tunsil can slide inside to guard until Peters leaves," but it's likely that a guy with the skills of a "basketball defender" can operate and even excel in the telephone booth. Tunsil's a little light in the backside and may get pushed around at times, but get him pulling or up on the second-level and watch the bodies fly.
And for those worried about Lane Johnson's new contract extension and his expected move to left tackle, don't. There's a reason Roseman does those deals early - Johnson is under Philadelphia's control and will play when and where he's asked to.
And while his five-year, $56.26 million does represent left tackle money, the NFL is first, last and always about getting the most talent on the field.
And if the Eagles were able to land Tunsil, they'd surely find a way to make it work.
