Eagles QB Carson Wentz plays during the game vs. the Giants, Dec. 22, 2016
Eagles QB Carson Wentz (11) argues a call vs. the Giants in the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field, Thursday, Dec. 22, 2016.
( (Tim Hawk | For NJ.com))
The NHL held an expansion draft on Wednesday night, the result of adding a new team -- the Vegas Golden Knights -- to their league.
An event that got me thinking -- if the NFL held an expansion draft, and the Eagles could only protect five players, who would they be?
In the NHL Expansion Draft, teams were allowed to protect as many as 11 players. So for fun, here is a look at the five players the Eagles would likely protect if there were to be an expansion draft in the NFL.
Note: I took into account age, contract and position:
1. Carson Wentz, QB: This is an easy one -- Wentz is the franchise quarterback and, outside of owner Jeffery Lurie, the most important person in the NovaCare Complex. The Eagles wouldn't trade Wentz under almost any circumstance, and they certainly wouldn't give him away for free.
2. Jordan Hicks, LB: Why Hicks second? The middle linebacker is set to make just $760,183 next season, and entering his third season, is already one of the best playmaking linebackers in the NFL. Injury history is a concern, but Hicks playing 16 games last season cements him as the second player on this list.
3. Lane Johnson, OT: If the Eagles are keeping Wentz, they are going to need to protect him. Johnson is one of the best offensive tackles in the league, and can play both the left and right side. The PED suspensions are a concern, but the results speak for themselves, as the Eagles were 5-1 with Johnson on the field last season
4. Zach Ertz, TE: Ertz might surprise some by being on this list. It shouldn't, however, as Ertz is one of the best in the NFL at his position and is a big part of the offense. Not many players on the team can say they are top five in the NFL at their position. Ertz can, and his stats over the last four seasons -- 247 catches, 2,840 yards -- back that up.
5. Derek Barnett, DE: This last one is tough, but Barnett gets the nod because he is just 20 years old and plays a key position in the NFL -- defensive end. He gets the protection over defensive tackle Fletcher Cox because of age, position and salary.
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Eliot Shorr-Parks may be reached at eshorrpa@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @EliotShorrParks. Find NJ.com Eagles on Facebook.