Predicting Eagles' Early 2025 NFL Draft Big Board

The Philadelphia Eagles didn't rebuild as much as they reloaded for the 2024 season. General manager Howie Roseman was once again aggressive in addressing needs and that included his selection of Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean in the draft.

Roseman hasn't been afraid to make trades and bring in veterans, but good drafting has heavily influenced the current team.

It's going to continue to be critical for the Eagles to uncover talent in the draft. With Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and Jordan Mailata all cashing on multi-year extensions over the last two years, they have to find talent on rookie contracts to fill out their lineup.

With that in mind, there's no doubt that their scouts are already getting an early look at the 2025 draft class and how they might fit in Philadelphia.

Based on potential team needs, the available talent and a first-round pick that's likely to be in the bottom-third of the order, here are three players who should be atop their early big board.

3. Edge JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State

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PISCATAWAY, NJ - NOVEMBER 04: JT Tuimoloau #44 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on November 4, 2023 at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

If we know anything about Howie Roseman, it's that he's going to load up on defensive linemen wherever possible. It wouldn't be surprising at all if that's where he spent the first-round pick next year despite taking Jalyx Hunt in the third round of this year's draft.

Tuimolau was the Eagles' pick in our way-too-early mock draft and it's easy to see the fit.

Unlike Hunt, who is an elite athlete but needs to figure out the finer points of the position, Tuimolau doesn't show high-end athleticism. He does show heavy hands and a power-based game that's going to make him an effective edge-setter in the NFL.

B/R's Matt Holder put together a scouting report for Tuimoloau before the defensive end announced he'd be returning to school. He noted that the 6'4", 270 pound lineman has an ideal NFL frame, but lacks move outside of a bull rush to get after the quarterback.

Another year in Columbus could give him time to improve his athleticism and work on his craft.

If he can add some more polish to his pass rushing repertoire he could make sense as a replacement if the club doesn't extend Josh Sweat, who is an impending 2025 free agent.

2. S Malaki Starks, Georgia

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KNOXVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 18: Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Malaki Starks (24) defends during a college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Georgia Bulldogs on November 18, 2023, at Neyland Stadium, in Knoxville, TN. (Photo by Bryan Lynn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

It wouldn't be an Eagles big board with at least one defender from Georgia. Roseman hasn't put an emphasis on the safety position in the past, but he might have learned his lesson with the C.J. Gardner-Johnson situation last season.

Gardner-Johnson's versatility and playmaking were huge for the defense in 2022. However, they let him walk in free agency the following year and the secondary struggled.

Gardner-Johnson is back, but safety is still a long-term need for the Eagles. Having another player who can play deep, in the box or in the slot would give defensive coordinator Vic Fangio another chess piece in the secondary.

Malaki Starks is that weapon.

Starks played all over the Georgia secondary last season, logging 365 deep snaps, 177 slot snaps and 153 box snaps and only missing three tackles all year, per PFF. With three interceptions and seven passes defended he had a knack for finding the ball in the air.

Mitchell and DeJean were foundational pieces that are going to form a solid foundation for the next generation of the secondary. Adding Starks to the mix could be the recipe for elite coverage unit for years to come.

1. OT Emery Jones Jr., LSU

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ORLANDO, FL - SEPTEMBER 03: LSU Tigers offensive lineman Emery Jones Jr. (50) looks to block an incoming defensive lineman during the Camping World Kickoff game between the LSU Tigers and the Florida State Seminoles, on Sunday, September 3, 2023 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla. (Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

A lot of the Eagles recent success can be attributed to the presence of an elite offensive line. Year in and year out offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland helps guide a great offensive line group.

They've been able to continue to put out excellent lines despite losses to free agency over the years because of how well they draft and develop the position.

So with Lane Johnson entering the season at 34 years old, it's hard to believe they won't be targeting a tackle early in the 2025 draft. They were fortunate to find Jordan Mailata in the seventh round. That isn't likely to happen when the right tackle job becomes available.

Instead, they could target a player like Emery Jones. The LSU Tiger is already a two-year starter at right tackle in Baton Rouge and he improved his pass blocking to only allow one sack last season, per PFF.

At 6'6", 315 pounds he has the ideal frame to play tackle at the next level. The Eagles did sign Mekhi Becont, but it's hard to believe he'll turn things around based on his injury history.

Jones would provide an opportunity to start over on a rookie contract at a crucial position.