Andrew Noel, Staff Writer
For a team in Super Bowl contention, the Eagles certainly had a lot of roster needs heading into this year's NFL Draft. Luckily, GM Howie Roseman was able to work his magic and fill most of the needs for the Eagles. Here is a breakdown of each pick.
Quinyon Mitchell CB Toledo - Everyone knew what the Eagles biggest need was coming into the draft. With the decline of James Bradberry and the aging Darius Slay, the only two reliable cornerbacks on the roster, the Eagles with the 22nd pick got Quniyon Mitchell from Toledo. Mitchell was seen as one of the best athletes in the draft and Eagles fans were very happy with the pick. The only knock on Mitchell is that he played his college football in the Mid-American Conference, causing him to face lesser talent than some of the other defensive backs in the draft. s This has led some to believe that he may struggle to succeed against the much better competition in the NFL.
Cooper Dejean DB Iowa - Howie Roseman once again addressed his roster's biggest need with his second pick. Dejean can play corner, safety and even some linebacker, which were all massive needs going into the draft. A lot of analysts were surprised when Dejean did not get picked in the first round, so getting him in the second round is a steal for the Eagles.
Jalyx Hunt DE Houton Christian - With their 3rd pick, the Eagles took the first player ever to be drafted out of Houston Christian University. Hunt is a defensive end, another position the Eagles needed to address, especially after trading Hasson Reddick to the Jets. 2023 first-round pick Nolan Smith can also play defensive end, but he will have to show improvement in 2024 if the Eagles plan on making him a starter. Due to the uncertainty at the position, this was a no-brainer for the Eagles.
Will Shipley RB Clemson - You can never have enough offensive weapons, and this pick backed up that philosophy. A running back wasn't the most pressing need for the Eagles given the signing of free agent Saquon Barkley, but depth was needed at the position with Kenneth Gainwell being the only other NFL-ready back on the roster. These kinds of picks are smart because they allow a young player to sit behind a veteran and develop with no pressure on him to succeed. It is a great sign that the Eagles are willing to show this type of patience in player development.
Ainias Smith WR Texas A&M - Similar to the Shipley pick, this is not a move that will impact the Eagles much in the short term but was nonetheless necessary to make. Besides the great duo of AJ Brown and Devonta Smith, the Eagles had almost no options at wide receiver. Depth was needed in the position and this pick is exactly what it provides. Like Shipley, not much will (or should) be expected from Smith early in his career, but sitting behind two of the best wide receivers in the game will no doubt benefit Smith and the Eagles in a few years time.
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. LB Clemson - The son of an Eagles legend, Trotter will fit right in with the Eagles. Lineback was the biggest need on the team after cornerback, and Trotter fills the need nicely.
Trevor Keegan G Michigan - You can also never have enough depth on the lines, and this pick is an example of that. Not a ton is expected out of Keegan, but worst-case scenario, he adds depth to one of the most important positions in football.
Johnny Wilson WR Florida State - Wilson is a wide receiver who will probably convert to tight end in the NFL. A fantastic pick as the Eagles lacked tight end depth beyond Dallas Goedert. Goedert is also starting to get older, so picking up a player who could take over for him immediately is smart.
Dylan Mcmahon C N.C. State - Mcmahon is probably the most underrated pick of this Eagles draft class. After the retirement of Jason Kelce a center was needed on the roster to back up converted center Cam Jurgens. Mcmahon plays three offensive line positions and versatility is one of the best traits a player can have in the NFL.
Only time will tell how good this draft class ends up being for the Eagles. In the short term, it was a great success, with the biggest holes on the roster being filled. There is a lot of work to be done before the Eagles kick off their season in Brazil in September, but these last three days can certainly be seen as a step in the right direction as the Eagles look to return to the playoffs next year.
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