Day 2 – Eagles Draft Preview

The 2024 draft got off to a good start for the Eagles. Teams loaded up on offense and that pushed some good defensive prospects down the board. Howie Roseman thought about trading up, but held and ended up getting a player the Eagles really wanted, CB Quinyon Mitchell. I think the Eagles hit a home run in getting Mitchell. Let’s see if they can have another good day.

Before talking about prospects and scenarios, let’s take a look at where the roster stands as of today.

WR  DeVonta Smith … DeVante Parker
WR  AJ Brown …… Joseph Ngata
WR  Parris Campbell ….. Britain Covey
QB  Jalen Hurts …….. Kenny Pickett ….. Tanner McKee
RB  Saquon Barkley ..… Kenneth Gainwell …….
TE  Dallas Goedert …… CJ Uzomah ……..… Grant Calcaterra
LT  Jordan Mailata …… Fred Johnson
LG  Landon Dickerson…..
OC  Cam Jurgens ……… Matt Hennessy
RG   Tyler Steen ….… Brett Toth
RT  Lane Johnson …….

ED Josh Sweat …… Nolan Smith …. Patrick Johnson
DL  Milton Williams …. Moro Ojomo
NT  Jordan Davis  …… PJ Mustipher ……. Noah Ellis
DL Jalen Carter ………… Marlon Tuipulotu
ED Bryce Huff  ….. Brandon Graham … Zack Baun
MB Devin White ………. Oren Burks …… Brandon Smith
WB Nakobe Dean  ……… Ben VanSumeren
SS  CJ Gardner-Johnson … Tristan McCollum
FS  Reed Blankenship …… Sydney Brown … Mekhi Garner
CB  Darius Slay ………..  Isaiah Rodgers ……… Eli Ricks
CB  Quinyon Mitchell ….. Kelee Ringo ……. James Bradberry
NB  Avonte Maddox …… Tyler Hall ………. Zech McPhearson

P Braden Mann
K Jake Elliott
LS Rick Lovato

NEEDS

Linebacker is a need. Nakobe Dean barely played last year and can’t be counted on at this point. Devin White is here on a one-year deal. The team needs a young, talented LB to add to the mix. Expect a pick in rounds 2-4.

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The OL should be set for the upcoming season, but it would be good to have quality competition for Tyler Steen at RG. They could also add the RT of the future if the right player is on the board. They don’t have to force that one. It would be about the right player being available. There is also a need for depth. Reliable backups Jack Driscoll and Sua Opeta are gone.

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DL is a quiet need. Fletcher Cox retired. Milton Williams is projected to take his spot in the starting lineup, but there is some risk. Williams has 12 career starts. He’s looked really good at times, but hasn’t proven to be a high level starter. He’s in the final year of his contract so the Eagles have an eye on the present and the future in regard to him. At the least, the Eagles need depth here.

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Saquon Barkley and Kenny Gainwell give the team a good pair of RBs. There is a need for depth. This should be a Day 3 pick.

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WR is a wild card. The Eagles have shown interest in some good receivers. I don’t think they would take anyone before the second round, and that would have to be a player they just didn’t want to pass on. I do expect them to address WR on Day 3.

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The Eagles could take an edge rusher. They have checked out some guys, even first round targets. Josh Sweat and BG could be gone after this season.

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The Eagles have talked to some athletic TEs. They have bodies, but no sure things after Dallas Goedert.

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I don’t think the Eagles will take a safety early. They have a good trio of players already in place. The Eagles could take one on Day 3, wanting to add more depth to the secondary.

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THE PICKS

1st round – CB Quinyon Mitchell
2nd round – pick 50
2nd round – pick 53
4th round – pick 120
5th round – pick 161
5th round – pick 171
5th round – pick 172
6th round – pick 210

— TARGETS AT 50 & 53 —

The one thing I want the Eagles to do tonight is take a LB. They need a talented player to add to the mix. There should be some good players available in the fourth round, but I’d rather see them go get someone tonight. Add a top shelf talent to a position that needs it.

That said, they can’t force the pick. If they don’t have the players rated as highly as I do, go elsewhere. Or, if a really good player at another position slides, don’t pass on talent. WR and Edge rusher are spots the team could target, but I focused on LB/OL/DL. I guess TE is another spot to watch.

LB Edgerrin Cooper – Texas A&M – 6-2, 230

If the Eagles want an explosive player in the middle of the defense, Cooper is the guy. He has things to clean up in his game, but he is an athletic playmaker who can fly around and make things happen.

LB Junior Colson – Michigan – 6-2, 238

The leading tackler of a championship defense. Not as athletic as other LBs, but a sure tackler and physical presence in the middle of the defense.

OL Cooper Beebe – Kansas State – 6-3, 322

Played LT and LG at KSU. Projects to G or C in the NFL. Physical blocker with some athleticism mixed in. The Eagles brought him to Philly for a visit.

OT Roger Rosengarten – Washington – 6-5, 308

A 2-year starter at RT for the Huskies. Natural pass protector with really good athletic ability. Ran 4.92 at the Combine. Could be the RT of the future.

DL Ruke Orhorhorho – Clemson – 6-4, 294

Fletcher Cox is retired. The Eagles could use someone to offer depth and competition. Orhorhorho is an athletic playmaker who could be of interest.

DL Maason Smith – LSU – 6-5, 306

If the Eagles prefer a run stuffer, Smith makes sense. He can battle blockers and play the run. Limited pass rusher.

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VISITS & SPECIAL INTEREST

-VISITS-

OG Christian Mahogany – Boston College
OG Cooper Beebe – Kansas State
OG Zack Zinter – Michigan
OG Brandon Coleman – TCU
OT Tyler Guyton – Oklahoma
OT Travis Glover – Georgia State
OT Roger Rosengarten – Washington
OT Troy Fautanu – Washington
OT Blake Fisher – Notre Dame

WR Brenden Rice – USC
WR Ainias Smith – Texas A&M
WR Johnny Wilson – Florida State
WR Xavier Legette – South Carolina

RB Marshawn Lloyd – USC

DL Khristian Boyd – Northern Iowa

Edge Laiatu Latu – UCLA
Edge Chop Robinson – Penn State
Edge Marshawn Kneeland – Western Michigan
Edge Jalyx Hunt – Houston Christian
Edge Adisa Isaac – Penn State

LB Edgerrin Cooper – Texas A&M
LB Trevin Wallace – Kentucky

CB Cooper DeJean – Iowa
CB Andru Phillips – Kentucky
CB Shon Stephens – Ferris State
CB Caelen Carson – Wake Forest
CB Jarrian Jones – Florida State
CB Terrion Arnold – Alabama
CB Kool-Aid McKinstry – Alabama
CB Decamerion Richardson – Mississippi State
CB Elijah Jones – Boston College
CB Max Melton – Rutgers
CB Quinyon Mitchell – Toledo

-SPECIAL INTEREST-

WR Xavier Worthy – Texas -WR coach at his Pro Day
WR Adonai Mitchell – Texas – WR coach at his Pro Day
WR Jordan Whittington – Texas – WR coach at his Pro Day
WR Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint – Georgia – Met with him at his Pro Day
WR Kyle Sheets – Slipp Rock – Worked him out at Temple Pro Day
WR Tez Walker – UNC – Virtual visit

RB Audric Esteme – Notre Dame – RB coach at his Pro Day
RB Kimani Vidal – Troy – Eagles showing interest
RB Cody Schrader – Missouri – Asst OL coach worked him out at his Pro Day
RB Dillon Johnson – Washington – Worked out by coach at his Pro Day

TE Jaheim Bell – Florida State – Zoom meeting
TE Ja’Tavion Sanders – Texas – Zoom meeting

OT Joe Alt – Notre Dame – Asst OL coach at his Pro Day
OT Blake Fisher – Notre Dame – Asst OL coach at his Pro Day
OT Javon Foster – Missouri – Asst OL coach at his Pro Day
OG Mason McCormick – S. Dakota St Asst OL coach at his Pro Day
OT Garret Greenfield – S. Dakota St – Asst OL coach at his Pro Day
OT Cameron Covin – FAMU – Scout worked him out at Pro Day
OT Troy Fautanu – Washington – Met with him at his Pro Day
OT Matt Goncalves – Pitt – Stoutland worked him out at his Pro Day
OL Delmar Glaze – Maryland – Stoutland worked him out at his Pro Day
OG Gottlieb Ayedze – Maryland – Stoutland worked him out at his Pro Day

DL Makody Robertson – FAMU Scout worked him out at Pro Day

Edge Javon Solomon – Troy Met with him at the Combine
Edge Dre Jones – FAMU – Scout worked him out at Pro Day

LB Jaylon Ford – Texas – LB coach at his Pro Day
LB Jontrey Hunter – Georgia St – LB coach at his Pro Day
LB Derrick McClendon – Colorado – Eagles reportedly showed interest at Pro Day
LB Omar Speights – LSU – Will attend Eagles local Pro Day
LB Bo Richter – Air Force – Met with him. Not clear where/how.

CB Terrion Arnold – Alabama – DB coach at his Pro Day
CB Kool-Aid McKinstry -Alabama -DB coach at his Pro Day
CB Ennis Rakestraw – Missouri – DB coach at his Pro Day
CB Kris Abrams-Draine – Missouri – DB coach at his Pro Day
CB Max Melton – Rutgers – DB coach ran workout at his Pro Day
NB Morice Norris – Fresno State – Eagles showing interest

SAF Sione Vaki – Utah – Had coach at his Pro Day
SAF Jaylon Carlies – Missouri – DB coach at his Pro Day
SAF Jaylin Simpson – Auburn – Had coach at his Pro Day

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DRAFT BOARD

This is my rankings of players matched with my guess on who the Eagles will like.

-1st Round Board for the Eagles-

DT:  Johnny Newman

CB: Cooper DeJean, Kool-Aid McKinstry

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-2nd Round Board for the Eagles-

RB: N/A

WR: Adonai Mitchell, Troy Franklin

TE: Ben Sinnott, Ja’Tavion Sanders

OT: Kingsley Suamataia, Roger Rosengarten

IOL:  Zach Frazier, Cooper Beebe, Dominick Puni, Jackson Powers-Johnson

Edge: Marshawn Kneeland, Chris Braswell

DT: Maason Smith, Kris Jenkins, Ruke Orhorhorho

LB:  Payton Wilson, Edgerrin Cooper, Junior Colson

S: Cole Bishop, Tyler Nubin, Jaden Hicks,

CB: Ennis Rakestraw, Max Melton, TJ Tampa, Mike Sainristil

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-3rd Round Board for the Eagles-

RB: Trey Benson, Blake Corum, Jonathon Brooks, Braelon Allen

WR: Javon Baker, Malik Washington, Jalen McMillan, Roman Wilson, Ja’Lynn Polk, Malachi Corley, Devontez Walker

TE: Tanner McLachlan, Theo Johnson

OT: Matt Goncalves, Blake Fisher, Kiran Amegadjie, Caedan Wallace, Patrick Paul

IOL: Christian Haynes, Zak Zinter, Christian Mahogany, Brandon Coleman, Sedrick Van Pran-Granger

Edge: Adisa Isaac, Bralen Trice

DT: Braden Fiske, Michael Hall, Brandon Dorlus, DeWayne Carter

LB:  Trevin Wallace, Jeremiah Trotter Jr, Cedric Gray

S: Malik Mustapha, Javon Bullard, Kam Kinchens, Beau Brade, Dadrion Taylor-Demerson

CB: Andru Phillips, Caelan Carson, Jarvis Brownlee, DJ James, Renardo Green

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ALL TOMMY TEAM 

(my favorite non-1st round players)

QB Michael Pratt – Tulane
RB Audric Estime – Notre Dame
WR Javon Baker – UCF
WR Ainias Smith – Texas A&M
WR Ricky Pearsall – Florida
TE Ben Sinnott – Kansas State
OT Matt Goncalves – Pitt
OG Christian Haynes – UConn
OC Hunter Nourzad – Penn State
OG Christian Mahogany – Boston College
OT Garret Greenfield – South Dakota State

DE Adisa Isaac – Penn State
DT DeWayne Carter – Duke
DT Braden Fiske – Florida State
DE Jonah Elliss – Utah
LB Jordan Magee – Temple
IB Junior Colson – Michigan
LB Payton Wilson – NC State
S Beau Brade – Maryland
S Cole Bishop – Utah
CB Max Melton – Rutgers
CB Mike Sainristill – Michigan

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Please draft a couple of these players

RB Audric Estime – Notre Dame
WR Javon Baker – UCF
WR Ricky Pearsall – Florida
OL Graham Barton – Duke
OL Amarius Mims – Georgia
OL Roger Rosengarten – Washington
OL Matt Goncalves – Pitt
OL Caedan Wallace – Penn State
OL Zak Zinter – Michigan

DE Adisa Isaac – Penn State
DL Ruke Orhorhoro – Clemson
LB Payton Wilson – NC State
LB Junior Colson – Michigan
LB Edgerrin Cooper – Texas A&M
LB Trevin Wallace – Kentucky
LB Jordan Magee – Temple
S Beau Brade – Maryland
CB Quinyon Mitchell – Toledo
CB Terrion Arnold – Alabama
CB Kool-Aid McKinstry – Alabama
CB Max Melton – Rutgers

Please avoid these players

WR Johnny Wilson – Florida State – Big WRs make me nervous. They rarely pan out in the NFL.
OT Christian Jones – Texas – 6-year player. Not a polished blocker despite all his experience.
FS Calen Bullock – USC – Finesse player with great ball skills, but he’s allergic to tackling. No thank you.

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