Eagles' Worst-Case 2024 NFL Draft Scenarios
The Philadelphia Eagles enter the 2024 draft with plenty to be excited about in the 2024 offseason. The team has made some moves that look good on paper and could propel them further after a disappointing end to the 2023 season.
There's nothing more important than continuing to hit on draft picks, though.
Like any general manger Howie Roseman has had some notable misses, but he's also made some great picks that have created a successful era of Eagles football. Finding Jalen Hurts in the second round of the 2020 draft is one of the most notable.
It's helped overcome the fact that he passed on Justin Jefferson to draft Jalen Reagor in the first round of that same draft.
Last year, Jalen Carter fell into the Eagles' lap with ninth overall selection. But not every scenario always plays out to the team's benefit.
With the draft just a few weeks away, here's a look at three scenarios the Eagles should be hoping to avoid to have a successful 2024 draft.
Somebody Jumps in Front of Them to Draft a Corner
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One of the best-case scenarios for the Eagles is that they could come away from this draft with a starting-caliber outside cornerback.
James Bradberry's shaky 2023 campaign should be the impetus for the Eagles to target a cornerback early. The veteran cover man gave up a passer rating of 114.3, including 11 touchdowns on 101 targets.
Teams consistently picked on him and it was a profitable strategy for opposing offenses. His struggles made him the poster child for the Eagles decline on defense from 2022 to 2023.
The problem for the Eagles is that his contract made it nearly impossible for them to move on. Cutting him offered no cap savings so they are essentially forced to stick with him and see if he can bounce back.
That doesn't mean they shouldn't bring in competition, though. Next year they can release him with a post-June 1 designation and it would save cap space. If they can get Kool-Aid McKinstry or Cooper DeJean in the first round, they would have an easy succession plan for Bradberry.
At No. 22 the Eagles are in a bit of a precarious position. The Dolphins should be motivated to trade back from the No. 21 spot. They only have six total picks and only two of those are in the top 100.
That could set the stage for someone leap-frogging the Eagles and stealing a target.
Draft Jackson Powers-Johnson in the First Round
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The Eagles have enjoyed the benefits of an elite offensive line throughout the Jalen Hurts era. They have consistently had one of the best groups up front every year and Jason Kelce played a big role in that.
With the older Kelce brother retiring, the Eagles are left to replace one of the foundational pieces of some great offensive lines.
The good news is they already have a succession plan in place. They drafted Cam Jurgens to play center with the 51st pick in the 2022 draft. Jurgens spent last season playing guard. It made sense to get him on the field and he played well, but he should be making the transition to the pivot.
That leaves an opening at right guard. Tyler Steen was drafted with a third-round pick in the 2023 draft and should be given an opportunity to compete for the job.
Abandoning that plan for Jurgens and drafting Jackson Powers-Johnson could be tempting on paper. Powers-Johnson is a good prospect and the top center in our rankings.
But if the Eagles are going to target an offensive lineman in the first round it should be a tackle. Philly is set at the position for next year with Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson, but Johnson can't play forever. He's 33 years old and entering his 12th season.
This is a loaded class for offensive tackles. There are five offensive tackles in the top 32 of our rankings.
The return on investment of taking a center in the first round doesn't match the potential to find a long-term solution at tackle.
Ignoring Wide Receiver Talent in the Second Round
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Much like right tackle, wide receiver is not an immediate need in 2024. A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith remain one of the best receiver duos in the league. The Eagles moved on from Quez Watkins this offseason but they signed Parris Campbell and DeVante Parker.
Parker and Campbell are both intriguing additions. Campbell still has the speed to make an impact and Parker should benefit from being a third or fourth option in an explosive offense instead of trying to be a top option in a struggling offense like the Patriots were.
Neither veteran receiver should keep the Eagles from looking to add a dynamic receiver in the draft.
This year's class should provide some real values in the second round. In the latest mock draft based on our scouting department's rankings there's a run on receivers that includes Jalen McMillan, Adonai Mitchell, Xavier Worthy and Ja'Lynn Polk just before the Eagles get on the clock at No. 50.
If any of those four get to their pick at No. 50 or No. 53 they should be under heavy consideration.
Adding another young talented pass-catcher would help the offense evolve in 2024 and provide flexibility with decision-making in the future. Smith just signed a three-year, $75 million contract extension so the Eagles will need a cheap third receiver for the next several seasons.
Check out all of the latest scouting reports for the 2024 NFL draft at the scouting department hub.
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