After a free agency period filled with major trades and signings, the Philadelphia Eagles have turned their sights to the 2024 NFL Draft.
With so much talent brought forth, and still plenty of needs to address, the Eagles are expected to be major players in the first few days of the NFL Draft. Philadelphia owns three picks in the top 64 overall selections — enough ammo to be as aggressive or passive as they want to be.
So, where will the Eagles go on draft night? Today, we break down the biggest needs.
What Are the Philadelphia Eagles’ Biggest Needs in the 2024 NFL Draft?
Philadelphia is coming off a stunning end to its 2023 season where the team dropped six of its final seven games including a 32-9 playoff loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That alone was reason enough for the organization to go through something of a roster overhaul in the last few months.
Saquon Barkley, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and Bryce Huff were just some of the players added to the organization.
Now, with much of their star power intact and plenty of ammo, where should the Eagles focus on draft weekend?
Offensive Line
Philadelphia may have its heir apparent to Jason Kelce following his retirement in Cam Jurgens, but they do not have a viable replacement for All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson.
When it comes to players of importance, Johnson may be the most pivotal player for the Eagles over the last few years. Philadelphia is 89-53-1 with Johnson in the lineup and 14-22 without him. That’s what makes finding his potential replacement very important.
Some names to target on the offensive line are Washington’s Troy Fautanu and Oklahoma’s Tyler Guyton. Guyton has a similar build to Johnson and could be the kind of replacement the former fourth-overall pick approves of.
If Kelce helped pick his replacement in Jurgens, it’s not hard to see Johnson do the same.
Edge Rusher
Before the Haason Reddick trade, it was hard to envision the Eagles drafting a pass rusher with one of their high picks. With Nolan Smith, Bryce Huff, Josh Sweat, Brandon Graham, and Reddick, any top pick would be overwhelmed on the depth chart.
Now? An edge rusher is certainly needed.
Sweat is entering a contract year, and his long-term future with the team is in doubt; meanwhile, Graham will be 36 years old this season and is expected to retire after 2024. While Smith has potential after being a first-round pick in 2023, he is still completely unproven, and Huff has only been a role player to this point.
Whether it’s UCLA’s Laiatu Latu or Florida State’s Jared Verse, the Eagles will potentially look for another first-round edge rusher to continue their youth movement on the defensive side of the ball.
Cornerback
The secondary is an interesting hole on the Eagles’ roster for 2024. First off, Philadelphia appears ready to give James Bradberry another chance to be a top corner after a massive letdown last season.
Gardner-Johnson being back also means the safety position has been addressed. Outside of that, though, plenty of depth-related questions surround the unit. It’s why a slot cornerback or even help on the outside will be a position that Philadelphia addresses early.
Whether it’s Iowa’s Cooper DeJean or Rutger’s Max Melton, the cornerback position is as deep as any other in this class, and that’s great news for the Eagles.
KEEP READING: Eagles 2024 NFL Draft Prospect Visit Tracker: Who Is Philadelphia Interested In?
But will the Eagles actually draft a cornerback in the first two rounds?
The last time they picked a cornerback in the first round was Lito Sheppard in 2002, and since Howie Roseman was promoted to general manager in 2010, the only player at the position he has drafted in the first two rounds was Sidney Jones IV in 2017.
Miss football? The 2024 NFL Draft is almost here, boss. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s all-new Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls — lone wolf or with your friends!