College Football

Eagles draft Wentz - now what?

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 12:02 a.m. ET

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PHILADELPHIA (STATS) - Carson Wentz was selected second in the NFL draft behind the Rams' new franchise quarterback and ironically may sit behind their old franchise signal-caller.

While the former North Dakota State QB is the future of the Philadelphia Eagles, Wentz arrives to a crowded position, and he could be groomed slower than what No. 1 overall selection Jared Goff faces with Los Angeles.

After signing Wentz, the Eagles will have invested a significant amount of money into the position. Last month, they re-signed starter Sam Bradford (two years, $35 million), who was once the No. 1 overall pick of the St. Louis Rams, and signed Chase Daniel (three years, $21 million), who has reunited with new Eagles coach Doug Pederson after they were in Kansas City last season.

Had the Eagles known they would trade up to Cleveland's No. 2 pick last week, they probably would not have made both signings. With their three's-a-crowd scenario seemingly untenable, Bradford's agent has asked the Eagles to trade his client.

"My guess is Bradford eventually forces his way out," said Eagles writer Mark Eckel, who has covered the team in four different decades. "Maybe not this weekend, but if a quarterback gets hurt in (another team's) camp or a team isn't happy with what they have, they'll make a deal.

"If the Eagles are smart, they'll do with Wentz what they did with (Donovan) McNabb in '99. Let him sit, watch and learn, maybe even the entire season."

In today's NFL, a quarterback selected so high generally isn't afforded an apprenticeship. But that might happen with Wentz, the starter on North Dakota State's two most recent FCS national championship teams, but only after he learned behind Brock Jensen on the first three of five straight title seasons (including a redshirt year in 2011).

The Eagles maintain they will take a patient approach with Wentz. If they don't contend for a playoff berth - they finished 7-9 last season - there would be more reason to get him on the field.

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