With the 22nd overall pick, the Philadelphia Eagles are in an interesting spot for day one of the NFL Draft. Going 11-6 in 2023 is considered a disappointment for them since they were knocked out in the Wildcard playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
I could see Howie Roseman staying true to his nature and going aggressive, trading up for a player he likes. But at the same time, trading back is an option as well due to having a few starting positions up for grabs on the roster.
The focus for this year’s draft has to be on the trenches and the defense as a whole, including the secondary and linebacker positions, areas where they historically don’t address with high capital. However, Philadelphia wasn’t known to pay running backs and they gave Saquon Barkley a bag in the offseason.
So the Eagles could have a few tricks up their sleeve depending on how they want to attack this draft.
Eagles: Will Philly Finally Address Cornerback Early?
Although they re-signed nickel corner Avonte Maddox, the Eagles still need more at the position. It was clear veterans Darius Slay and James Bradberry were not enough to stop teams from throwing all over their pass defense. The young trio of Kelee Ringo, Eli Ricks, and Josh Jobe were not the answer either.
If Philadelphia takes a corner in the first round, it will be the first time since they picked Lito Sheppard in 2022 with the 26th pick.
Prospects like Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell bring the whole package of traits for an aggressive tone-setting corner, but they would have to trade up for him, most likely. Clemson’s Nate Wiggins has the size and speed that make him a potential replacement for one of their veterans on the outside.
Either Alabama corner could be in striking distance for Vic Fangio’s scheme, whether it is Kool-Aid McKinstry or Terrion Arnold. Arnold is considered one of the better man-coverage corners who’s versatile in the draft but he might not be available when the Eagles pick.
Speaking of versatility, Iowa’s Cooper DeJean is an option as a defensive back with inside and outside versatility and safety traits.
Philadelphia re-signed Chauncey Gardner-Johnson and Reed Blankenship, but having a solid safety rotation with nickel experience is beneficial. This is on top of having Sydney Brown in their safety room as well, but adding someone like DeJean would potentially make it a top unit.
Eagles: Drafting a Lineman is a Howie Roseman Special
Whether it’s on offense or defense for the Eagles, Howie Roseman loves to draft linemen, planning and finding potential starters at pivotal positions. This is coming off back-to-back years drafting defensive linemen in the first round.
Especially with the Georgia pipeline, Philadelphia has drafted five Bulldogs in the last two years. So I really wouldn’t be surprised if it was someone like Amarius Mims, despite needing to trade up for him, most likely.
But with the lack of starting experience due to injuries, Mims has so much untapped potential with his age and athleticism among the potential available prospects. He could be their plan at right tackle when veteran Lane Johnson retires, which could be sooner or later due to injuries and age.
This would be a move for the future despite having a starting guard position open, depending on how they feel about Tyler Steen. If the Eagles think he can stick at right guard, then drafting a tackle to sit and provide depth at either tackle spot is a smart move. But if a guard is a priority and Steen moves back out to tackle, then it could be addressed on the second day of the draft.
Cam Jurgens will likely start as a center to replace the great Jason Kelce, who retired this offseason. With the Eagles also re-signing both Jordan Mailata and Landon Dickerson, drafting a lineman early would fit the theme of their recent moves.
Eagles: Linebacker is a Day Two Priority
In free agency, the Eagles signed Devin White, a former Pro Bowl and All-Pro linebacker from the Bucs. This signing pairs him with former second-rounder Nakobe Dean, a former Georgia Bulldog. This still isn’t enough at the position, as Philadelphia will need to add more talented depth, most likely on day two of the draft in a weaker linebacker class.
Consensus-wise, there isn’t a linebacker prospect that is first-round caliber but there are a few that warrant second or third-round status. The Eagles would have to trade up for him in the second, but Texas A&M’s Edgerrin Cooper would fit in the middle of Fangio’s scheme the best out of the class. Many have him as the top linebacker prospect in the draft.
Other notable names that could be taken on day two of the draft include N.C. State’s Payton Wilson and Michigan’s Junior Colson. Clemson’s Jeremiah Trotter Jr. getting picked by the Eagles would make for a nice storyline, with him being the son of a former four-time Pro Bowl linebacker for Philadelphia.
Jeremiah Trotter Sr. was drafted by the Eagles in 1998 and having his son get drafted by the same team would be cool to see. Trotter Sr. played 12 seasons in the NFL as a former third-rounder.
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