2017 NFL draft positional breakdown: Quarterback

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We continue our positional breakdown leading up to the 2017 NFL draft with a look at quarterbacks. We already looked at offensive linemen

Instead of a top five, we'll highlight players at these positions who fit the Eagles and have a chance to be available when the team picks.

At No. 14

Yeah … no.

Quarterback isn't even close to being a need, but the Eagles will take a dead money hit for releasing backup Chase Daniel and will pay Nick Foles to be Carson Wentz's backup. What could make sense is developing a cheap backup in the mid-to-late rounds? If they show any promise, you could pull an Andy Reid and get something from a quarterback-needy team down the road. With that in mind …

In the middle

Jerod Evans, Virginia Tech (6-3/232)
After tearing it up for a junior college, Evans transferred to Virginia Tech and flashed tons of raw ability to go along with tremendous size. An extra season might have helped Evans improve his stock, but a team that can have the patience to let Evans develop could be rewarded.

Joshua Dobbs, Tennessee (6-3/216)
Dobbs is tough, has a decent arm and is a good athlete. His intangibles are also off the charts. Adjusting to an NFL offense could be difficult coming from Tennessee. There are also serious questions about his decision making. He could settle into a career as a solid NFL backup.

Late-round sleeper(s)

Seth Russell, Baylor (6-3/213)
Russell has ideal size coupled with a big arm and above-average athleticism. He was also extremely productive against strong competition. Serious injuries will cause Russell to drop as low as the seventh round if he's even drafted at all.

Alek Torgersen, Penn (6-3/230)
It's pretty cool that a quarterback from Penn has a chance to get drafted. Torgersen has NFL size and the arm to back it up. The level of competition and speed of the game will be his biggest obstacles. And, oh yeah, he's pretty smart.

Cooper Rush, Central Michigan (6-3/228)
There's nothing spectacular about Rush, but he's smart, fundamentally sound, accurate (62 percent career completion percentage) and durable (started all 39 games the last three seasons). That's a pretty solid recipe for a backup quarterback.

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