How Eagles ace their 2024 NFL draft picks: Examining biggest needs, best fits
The Philadelphia Eagles enter the 2024 NFL draft looking to get back to their Super Bowl form from 2022 while avoiding the pratfalls that led to a 1-6 finish to last season.
They'll have to do this despite the retirement in two legendary players in center Jason Kelce and defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, while trading sacks leader Haason Reddick to the Jets.
The Eagles addressed many of their needs in free agency, but they did not address cornerback or a No. 3 wide receiver. And they could use more depth on both the offensive and defensive lines.
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The Eagles also hired new coordinators on both offense and defense in Kellen Moore and Vic Fangio, respectively. Moore represents a departure from the Eagles' offense under head coach Nick Sirianni and previous coordinators Shane Steichen and Brian Johnson. So that will bear watching.
Fangio, a longtime defensive coordinator and former Denver Broncos head coach, will have autonomy over the defense. It shouldn't be much of a change in philosophy because the previous two defensive coordinators − Jonathan Gannon and Sean Desai − are Fangio disciples.
Here's how the Eagles can ace the 2024 NFL draft:
Eagles' biggest positional need addressed early
Eagles GM Howie Roseman always tries to address immediate needs in free agency. And the Eagles spent freely in March and April adding running back Saquon Barkley, edge rusher Bryce Huff and safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, among others.
But Roseman might not see cornerback as the biggest need. After all, Darius Slay is still a Pro Bowl player, even at 33 years old, and James Bradberry could recover from a bad season. In addition, 2023 rookies Kelee Ringo and Eli Ricks had big roles last season.
So unless the Eagles can trade up for someone like Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold or Toledo's Quinyon Mitchell, I can see them passing on cornerback and either drafting Alabama tackle JC Latham or LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas. Those players also might require a trade up.
Latham would make the most sense because he could play right away at right guard, and then potentially move out to tackle in two or three years if perennial Pro Bowl right tackle Lane Johnson retires.
Shoring up second most important need
If none of the above players are available, and you can add edge rushers Laiatu Latu and Dallas Turner to that list, the Eagles could trade back and go for the best available corner or wide receiver.
At corner, that could be Clemson's Nate Wiggins or Iowa's Cooper DeJean. At wide receiver, it would be someone like Florida State's Keon Coleman or Florida's Ricky Pearsall. If the Eagles go O-line, look for Duke center/guard Graham Barton or Arizona tackle Jordan Morgan.
Eagles' 2024 NFL draft will be a success if ...
The Eagles will set themselves up for a Super Bowl run if they can come away from the draft with a plug-and-play right guard this season, a No. 3 wide receiver to supplement the Eagles top playmakers − A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, tight end Dallas Goedert and running back Saquon Barkley.
A bonus would be a Week 1 starter at cornerback to replace Bradberry. But if the Eagles can come away from the draft with a starting guard, a No. 3 receiver, and add depth to the defensive line, they could get by with the same group of cornerbacks.
When is the 2024 NFL draft?
The 2024 NFL draft will be April 25-27 in Detroit. The first round begins at 8 p.m. April 25 and will be broadcast on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network. Rounds two and three begin April 26 at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN and NFL Network. Rounds four through seven begin Saturday at noon and will be on ESPN and NFL Network.
Where do the Eagles pick?
The Eagles have eight draft picks in the 2024 NFL draft, with their first three picks coming in the top 53 − their first-round pick and two second-rounders. The Eagles also have three fifth-round picks, and it's a good bet that one or more of them will be used in a trade, either to improve their position this year or to get an extra pick in 2025.
Round 1, pick 22
Round 2, pick 50 (from New Orleans)
Round 2, pick 53
Round 4, pick 120 (from Pittsburgh)
Round 5, pick 161 (from Tampa Bay)
Round 5, pick 171 (compensatory)
Round 5, pick 172 (compensatory)
Round 6, pick 210 (compensatory)
Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on X @Mfranknfl.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: How the Philadelphia Eagles can nail the 2024 NFL draft
