The Eagles were being equipped to stay away from the hangover that has normally haunted previous Super Bowl runner ups, creating the playoffs last calendar year soon after an 11-6 frequent season just before falling in the Wild Card spherical to the Buccaneers. As a end result, they maintain the 22nd decide on of the 2024 NFL Draft and will now be tasked with getting a player at that benefit to aid them get back again to the massive sport.
So, the concern turns into: where on the roster could the Eagles use the most advancement? Cornerback has been a prevalent posture individuals have pointed to in Philadelphia, one of all those individuals currently being Ralph Vacchiano of FOX Sports activities, and this calendar year’s crop of draft prospective customers is effectively-suited to fill that need.
The group’s starters, Darius Slay (33) and James Bradberry (31), are growing old and struggled in 2023, as did oft-hurt veteran Avonte Maddox. Slay missed the closing four games of the typical year and didn’t carry out very well in his playoff return. Bradberry rebounded horribly from his 2022 2nd-crew All-Pro collection. Just after grading out as the league’s 27th ideal cornerback in 2022, in accordance to Pro Football Concentration (membership demanded), Bradberry rated 100th of 127 graded corners in 2023.
Maddox had been produced and re-signed after an harm-riddled 2022 time then only appeared in 4 game titles in 2023. The Eagles have youthful prospective buyers in Kelee Ringo, Eli Ricks, and Josh Jobe who demonstrate promise, but none appear to be all set to consider on a complete-time purpose.
There are about 4 cornerbacks predicted to go in the initial round, and thanks to most likely early runs at offensive positions, a quantity of them should nonetheless be all around by the time Philadelphia selects. Best cornerback prospective customers like Alabama’s Terrion Arnold and Kool-Assist McKinstry, Clemson’s Nate Wiggins, Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell, and Iowa’s Cooper DeJean all stand a respectable likelihood at turning into the Eagles’ initial cornerback taken in the to start with round given that Lito Sheppard in 2002.
ESPN’s Matt Miller available up a further possibility if Philadelphia opts not to draft a cornerback. While not automatically a placement of want, Miler indicates that offensive tackle may well be a concentrate on for the Eagles, pointing specially to Oklahoma deal with Tyler Guyton, who has been training with Eagles correct deal with Lane Johnson, a fellow Sooner. Philadelphia boasted an impressive bookend with Jordan Mailata and Johnson rating as the league’s 3rd- and 13th-very best tackle in the league, for each PFF. So why would they draft a tackle?
Miller details to the teams dealing with of Jason Kelce, whose eventual retirement appeared to loom just about every offseason. They tried to remain in advance of the conclusion, drafting Nebraska centre Cam Jurgens with the 2022 2nd-round select. Miller see them potentially carrying out the exact with Johnson, who turns 34 a long time outdated shortly right after the draft. Guyton may be able to come in and in essence redshirt until a occupation opens up for him to just take above.