We've finally reached April, which means it's time to give the NFL Draft our full attention.
The 2024 draft begins on April 25 of this year, and the Eagles have eight picks, including No. 22 in the first round.
Here's our latest online look at some mock draft options. One center remains a popular choice for the Eagles in the first round.
22. Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
What did they say: The Eagles haven't taken a cornerback in the first round since 2002, and Darius Slay and James Bradberry are still on the roster. However, they don't have a long-term solution from the outside, and we've seen general manager Howie Roseman draft future replacements in the first round multiple times. The Eagles are also favorites to land a cornerback with their first pick, sitting at -120 on DraftKings.
My opinion on the choice: Yes, cornerback is the position we see being mocked by the Eagles most often this year. Aside from the history in the draft at the Eagles' position, it makes sense. The Eagles have a top-tier cornerback duo, and even with some exciting youngsters on the team, adding talent at a key position makes sense. The value also appears to be consistent with where the Eagles choose this year.
I really like McKinstry. He's been passed over by Alabama teammate Tyrion Arnold this year and there might be a disgrace if McKinstry isn't even the best corner on his team. But he was very good during his three years as a starter for the Crimson Tide and should be a first-round pick. He is SEC tested and feels like a safer choice at the position than others in this class. McKinstry's floor seems higher. One of the biggest questions some had about him was his long speed, but McKinstry ran a 4.47 at Alabama's pro day even with Jones breaking his foot.
22. Nate Wiggins, playmaker, Clemson
What did they say: Philadelphia needs cornerbacks, and Wiggins checks off all the athletic numbers you want at the position, even if his lean frame (173 pounds) is a concern. However, the Eagles have bet on high-end talent in unusual frames before, with freshmen DeVonta Smith and Jordan Davis on opposite ends of the spectrum.
My opinion on the choice: The ceiling with Wiggins is very high. He ran a 4.28 at the combine and has next-level athletic traits that would intrigue NFL executives. However, its slight frame raises some concern. At 6-1, 173 pounds, Wiggins is quite lean and may not be a good fit for every team. I'm curious if he can add weight and maintain his speed.
22. Ennis Rackstraw, CB, Missouri
What did they say: The Eagles deal with their aging through physical activity and energy Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
My opinion on the choice: The Missouri cornerback hasn't been the most talked about cornerback in this class but he has a physical style and playing temperament that could really suit Philly. Rakestraw certainly plays cornerback with a physicality that some don't. I also liked that he almost went to Alabama but recommitted to Missouri because he wanted to help build his own program.
22. Cooper Degen, CB, Iowa
What did they say: The Eagles' secondary was a disaster last season, and they were torn apart by big games. DeJean was great at Iowa State, and is one of the best athletes among all the DBs.
My opinion on the choice: DeJean has been a popular option for the Eagles in a lot of these models. DeJean is recovering from a broken fibula and was unable to practice at the combine or at Iowa State's pro day. He plans to hold an individual workout for NFL teams on April 15. It is expected to test very well. DeJean (6-0, 203) played cornerback in college but is viewed by some as a safety at the next level. If the Eagles take him in the first round they consider him a cornerback. But this potential diversity is not a bad thing.
Charles MacDonald and Nate Tice, Yahoo! Sports
31. Kamari Lassiter, playmaker, Georgia
What did they say: Another Georgia cornerback Howie Roseman is obsessed with. Hopefully this will be a huge success because the Eagles really need a mix of quality young talent at the cornerback position.
My opinion on the choice: In this scenario, the Eagles traded down from 22 to 31. The 49ers moved up to draft OT Amarius Mims from Georgia. This model did not provide trade terms but moving from 22 to 31 is the value of a mid-third round pick, on the trade value chart. The 49ers' third pick is a little later than that, so maybe it's the 95th pick and a better pick on Day 3.
As for Lassiter, he hasn't been mentioned much among the top corners in this draft, but he could move up to one of the final spots in the first round. Lassiter (5-11, 186) could be an option outside or in the slot at the NFL level. We know the Eagles were not shy about taking defensive players from Georgia.
16. Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
What did they say: Sure, there's a chance we could see a run on receivers at the top of the draft and then some back down but I could see a team trading up for one. In this scenario, that team is the Philadelphia Eagles. They have lost some key players on the defensive and offensive lines this offseason but you could make a case that the Eagles need another pass rusher. The additions of DeVante Parker and Parris Campbell don't move the needle but the addition of Brian Thomas Jr. does. He is a long-limbed player who excelled at basketball before focusing on football. He is best suited out of the slot as he consistently wins on fade routes. Pairing him with DeVonta Smith, AJ Brown, Dallas Goedert, and Saquon Barkley should do wonders for Jalen Hurts and an Eagles offense that ran out of gas last season.
My opinion on the choice: We have got conditions on this. The Eagles took the No. 16 and fourth-rounder (102) to the No. 22 and No. 53 (second place). The idea of adding a player like Thomas to the Eagles offense is exciting but I'm not sure what the 22-16 trade would be to do so. I also wonder about the many mouths to feed scenario with three wide receivers. Thomas would be a nice upgrade at WR3 but I'm not sure the first round is where the Eagles should look for that upgrade.
22. Brooke Powers, TE, Georgia
What did they say: Can you imagine a personnel group that includes Bowers, Saquon Barkley, AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert with a healthy Jalen Hurts under center? Powers had 2,538 receiving yards and 26 receiving yards over three seasons, and he would give coach Nick Sirianni and offensive coordinator Kellen Moore a playoff advantage. He has to improve his blocking, but I think it will happen in time. I also thought about defensive backs here — Philly's back seven remains a concern even with the additions of Devin White and C.J. Gardner-Johnson — but Powers is too good to pass up this late in the first round.
My opinion on the choice: this is funy. Powers is considered by many to be a top-10 overall talent in this draft, so if he's on the board when the Eagles select the 22-year-old, they should consider taking him. He is an excellent talent and if the Eagles are looking for a way to improve their offense, this will certainly be important. He's a bit of a luxury pick because of the position, but getting a player of that quality would be worth it. It's almost like adding Saquon Barkley. Sure, the positional value may not be great but the player is, and adding a marquee player is always interesting.
Subscribe to Eagle Eye wherever you get your podcasts:
Apple Podcast | YouTube music | Spotify | stitch | Art19 | RSS | Watch on YouTube
“Alcohol enthusiast. Twitter ninja. Tv lover. Falls down a lot. Hipster-friendly coffee geek.”