The Philadelphia Eagles enter a crucial draft, looking to improve a team that lost six of seven to close the season. The Eagles have some needs at key defensive positions as they look to reshape the defense in Vic Fangio’s system.
While the Eagles’ most pressing needs are cornerback, linebacker, safety and added upside on defense, the Eagles could look for more depth at wide receiver, picking a long-term replacement for Lane Johnson at right tackle and find a holder. keep right at the start of this project. Philadelphia signed its productive young players to long-term extensions this offseason, looking for the next group of players to join a core group that has already been to a Super Bowl.
The Eagles added Saquon Barkley, Bryce Huff and brought back CJ Gardner-Johnson to highlight free agent signings. Now, attention turns to the draft to restock its roster with productive starters, especially with Quinyon Mitchell at No. 22 and Cooper DeJean at No. 40. The Eagles, who made a record number of trades in this year’s draft, also moved up. in the second round and back in the third round twice, storing the picks on Day 3.
This is a pivotal time for the Eagles, so you won’t want to miss a second of the action during this three-day spectacle. Here is every selection the Eagles have for the 2024 NFL Draft:
|
1 |
No. 22: CB Quinyon Mitchell (Toledo) |
B+ |
|
2 |
No. 40: DB Cooper DeJean (Iowa) |
A- |
| 3 | No. 94: EDGE Jalex Hunt (Houston Christian) | B- |
| 4 | No. 127: RB Will Shipley (Clemson) | C+ |
| 5 | No. 152: WR Ainias Smith (Texas A&M) | A |
| 5 | No. 155: LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (Clemson) | A |
|
5 |
No. 172: G Trevor Keegan (Michigan) |
D+ |
| 6 | No. 185: WR Johnny Wilson (Florida State) | A- |
| 6 | No. 190: C Dylan McMahon (NC State) | C+ |
Round 1 (No. 22 overall): Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
Mitchell was the first cornerback selected in the NFL Draft, falling to the Eagles at 22nd overall. Setting school records for passes defensed in a season (25) and career (52), Mitchell has the athleticism to compete with any receiver in man or zone coverage. He defended 43 passes and 6 interceptions in the last 27 games he played.
Mitchell is an opening day starter in the NFL and should immediately compete for a starting spot, even with Darius Slay and James Bradberry. He has defended the most passes in the FBS (37) over the past two seasons.
Pete Prisco grade: B+
“The Eagles wait and get the best corner in this draft. It’s smart. There’s been talk about trading them, but now they’re drafting a player who fills a need with age creeping into their defense. Nice pick .”
Round 2 (No. 40 overall): Cooper DeJean, Iowa
The Eagles traded up to No. 40 and selected Iowa’s DeJean, a player they originally coveted at No. 22. They traded their second-round picks (No. 50 and No. 53) and a fifth-round pick (No. 53). . 161) to move up 10 spots in the draft. The Eagles acquired the No. 40 pick (which they used to select DeJean), a third-round pick (No. 70) and a fifth-round pick (No. 152) from the Commanders.
DeJean is a hybrid player in the secondary who can play outside cornerback, slot and safety. While the Eagles are settled at outside cornerback with the selection of Quinyon Mitchell, DeJean can play the role or line up alongside CJ Gardner-Johnson at safety in 2024. He will have a major role in the secondary .
DeJean allowed just one catch of 15+ yards last season and is rarely out of position. He also had 3 pick-sixes last season for the Hawkeyes and is an excellent shooter on special teams. The Eagles have a do-it-all player.
Chris Trapasso’s rating: A
“Howie Roseman strikes again. DeJean is an excellent tackler, a dynamic athlete who can line up anywhere and provides additional return ability. Addresses a need in this secondary that needs to be reworked.”
Round 3 (No. 94 overall): Jalyx Hunt, Houston Christian
The Eagles traded up twice in the third round to settle on Hunt, another big runner at 6-foot-4, 252 pounds. More of a developmental prospect who can get bigger, Hunt can learn in a pass rush behind Bryce Huff, Josh Sweat and Nolan Smith.
A former safety, Hunt has a finishing burst that is great for showing up quarterbacks. He needs more moves on the rim, but he will get bigger with more time in the weight room.
Chris Trapasso’s grade: B-
“Former Cornell safety has developed into a dominant rusher at a small school with tantalizing traits. Showed incredibly advanced handwork despite being new at the position, but still a work in progress. Size, length , the burst, the curvature is there It will take time to acclimate to better competition.
Round 4 (No. 127 overall): Will Shipley, Clemson
The Eagles get a No. 2 running back behind Saquon Barkley in Shipley. A former five-star recruit at Clemson, Shipley shines in the screen game and has 33 rushing and receiving touchdowns for the Tigers over the past three years. Injuries have affected his production, but Shipley makes defenders miss his cuts. Also an excellent kick returner.
Rating from Chris Trapasso: C+
“Master of all trades. Works diligently between the tackles and has a decent hustle. Not too elusive. Speed is a plus. And he’s very useful out of the backfield as a receiver.”
Round 5 (No. 152 overall): Ainias Smith, Texas A&M
Listed as a wide receiver, but he is more of a “gadget” player. He can be used to carry the ball on runs or outside zone sweeps and doesn’t play much as an outside receiver. Nearly 70% of his snaps have come in the slot in 2023, which could be where he fits in Philadelphia. Another exceptional return as well.
Chris Trapasso’s rating: A
“An experienced, older prospect with YAC juice and plus contact balance. Slot, possession type and larger plays than his shorter size, but he comes with a compact frame overall. The radius of catch is very small. It will take time to become a quality Gadget-y type route runner.
Round 5 (No. 155 overall): Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson
The son of Eagles legend Jeremiah Trotter – and Philadelphia native – remains in Philadelphia. Trotter plays like his father in terms of how he attacks the ball carrier, but his coverage is limited. He has the natural strengths as a MIKE linebacker and Trotter Sr. always claimed his son was better than him. The young Trotter will be a fan favorite.
Chris Trapasso’s rating: A
“Reasonable, super smart young athlete at the off-ball LB position. Speed can be special once he gets into gear. Blitzing is a specialty. Active but not someone who plays full throttle every play and tackle reliability could improve. Knows how to beat blocks en route to the RB What I like most is his ball skills and coverage abilities underneath and in the middle.
Round 5 (No. 172 overall): Trevor Keegan, Michigan
A left guard for the Wolverines who is physical on the line, Keenan is aggressive from the snap. He didn’t allow any penalties last season and is strong in run blocking technique. Depth piece for Philadelphia on the offensive line.
Rating from Chris Trapasso: D+
“Limited athlete at guard, but has a lot of experience and run blocking skills. Best blocking in a phone booth. Has minimal range but has good momentum off the ball. Speed stalls almost instantly. Aware of stunts and blitzes, I can just “I don’t always get there too early for him but I understand that we add depth to OL on the 3rd day.”
Round 6 (No. 185 overall): Johnny Wilson, Florida State
An outside receiver at Florida State, Wilson has excellent size to create mismatches in coverage. Needs to work on his route running and needs to create better separation. Could convert to tight end.
Chris Trapasso grade: A-
“Huge width, essentially a sleek TE but has legitimate WR-like movement skills. Hands are incredibly explosive. Open field momentum leads him to drag defenders and is a capable blocker.”
Round 6 (No. 190 overall): Dylan McMahon, NC State
An all-ACC center in his first full year at the position, McMahon was one of the fastest centers at the combine. He projects as a center in the NFL (he played guard early in college), but has plenty of experience on the interior of the offensive line. He is flagged a lot and needs to work on his lower body, but he plays low and creates leverage.
Rating from Chris Trapasso: C+
“One of the elite center testers in this class. He lacks supreme length and that hurts him at times. Counters drive him crazy for long periods. Accurate when climbing to the second level. Balance could improve. Project type with traits.
