The Philadelphia Eagles’ 2023 season did not end in the fashion they had planned. After being dismantled by the eventual Super Bowl-losing San Francisco 49ers and their quarterback Brock Purdy by a score of 42-19, they dropped four of their last five games of the regular season. The streak continued into the playoffs with a Wild Card loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
In each of those six losses, the Eagles’ offense only crossed the 20-point threshold once, while their defense only held their opponents to less than 27 points once, and that was during their 20-17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 15. In fact, in their one win after the loss to the 49ers, the New York Giants were still able to score 25 points on their defense.
The late-season defensive coordinator switch didn’t fix their problems, so a retooling of the talent on the defensive side of the ball was needed. While they doubled down on their offensive talent during the offseason, extending contracts to wide receivers DeVonta Smith and AJ Brown, they brought in all-world talent running back Saquon Barkley, stealing him from the division rival Giants.
This made it no surprise that the general manager Howie Roseman spent his first three picks on the defensive side of the ball, all attempting to shore up what turned out to be a shaky pass defense. As Eagles fans are aware, Roseman likes to move up and down the draft board to acquire the players he covets, making 40 draft-day trades over the past ten years. This year he told Eagles fans to hold his beer and made a draft record nine trades.
Time will tell whether all those trades made the Eagles better or not, but at first glance, it appears he definitely helped fill out a roster with young talent who should see playing time right away. Let’s take a look at the bounty Roseman collected.
The Philadelphia Eagles Reload the Secondary in 2024 NFL Draft
Round 1, Pick 22: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
In recent drafts, a team has had to have a top-10-to-15 pick to land the top corner in the draft. Although this year’s cornerback class was possibly not as strong at the top as it has been in the past, the Eagles were still able to take the guy many think is the top corner in the draft at 22. A two-time Second-Team All-American, Mitchell was very dominant in his last two years at Toledo
At 6’0” 195 lbs and with a 4.33 40-yard dash time, Mitchell has the speed and size to keep up with NFL receivers, with the physicality to step up and make tackles against NFL running backs. Mitchell wasn’t my top corner coming into the draft, but he has a skill set that matches the Eagles’ defensive scheme. Mitchell has the skills to develop into a strong starting corner, but I am always cautious when drafting combine stars who don’t have the stats to back up their performance. Terrion Arnold, who was available, might have been a safer pick here.
Round 2, Pick 40: Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa
DeJean was a player who I personally thought could have gone in the first round, but who got pushed back because of all the offensive talent drafted in front of him. A versatile player who lined up at outside corner, slot corner, and strong safety while at Iowa, he probably has a clearer path to start year one for the Eagles. I would expect him to line up in the slot in Week 1. He has a knack for finding the endzone as a defensive player, returning three interceptions for touchdowns and returning a punt back all the way while at Iowa. He has the size to play safety as well if the need comes.
This is actually my top pick in the second round, and the best pick the Eagles made during the draft weekend. His ability, physical traits, and attitude match up perfectly with the Eagles’ needs and locker room. Expect DeJean to be on all the all-rookie team lists at the end of the season.
Round 3, Pick 94: Jalyx Hunt, EDGE, Houston Christian University
This is honestly a wait-and-see pick. I like teams to try and find a starter in round three while adding depth in the last three rounds, but the Eagles took a swing here on a 6’4” 254-pound EDGE. Hunt started his college career as a safety at Cornell before transferring to Houston Christian University and making the switch to an EDGE pass-rushing position.
With a history of playing in the secondary and the traits that would allow him to defend tight ends in space, it will be interesting to see if the Eagles attempt to switch him to an off-the-ball linebacker at some point. He did get into the backfield and collect sacks as well as tackles for loss in college, so the look could be to continue his development as a shifty pass rusher with the ability to chase down running backs or drop back in coverage when needed.
Hunt spent his last two years in college as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme, and the transition to a defensive end in a 4-3 scheme isn’t always easy. He did go to Cornell, though, so his intelligence won’t be an issue in learning a new defensive alignment. It will take time to see if this was a wasted third-rounder or not. ESPN had him ranked as the 69th-best prospect, so getting him nearly thirty picks later means post-draft value in analysts’ minds, but fans will have to wait and see if the game production fits.
Round 4, 127: Will Shipley, RB, Clemson
I see Shipley as a bit of a reach here. I know that some pundits are saying this was the Eagles’ steal of the draft, but I disagree. Shipley is an excellent athlete who starred in track alongside football for most of his life, but the value in this pick could have been spent somewhere else. Adding Shipley here makes me wonder if the team is concerned about Barkley’s ability to suit up week in and week out, which if that is the case, why would you sign him to that huge contract?
Looked at as a smaller back, I actually think his size is fine, and I see great potential here. His knee injury in the Gator Bowl concerns me a little, and the fact that his stats decreased from 2022 to 2023, going from 5.5 yards a carry to 5.0 yards a carry is a bit of a red flag. Shipley can provide a boost to the team this season as a kick and punt returner, as well as a pass catcher out of the backfield. Looking at the film, he is an instinctive runner who can set up defenders to whiff on blocks.
My concern here isn’t about Shipley’s athleticism or ability as a runner, I just think taking TJ Tampa here who was still available would have been a better choice for Roseman and company. They could have filled the role Shipley will hold on the team with a UDFA or back taken later in the draft.
Round 5, Pick 152: Ainias Smith, WR, Texas A&M
I like fifth-round wide receiver picks. Smith was ranked as the 230th-best prospect by ESPN, but those rankings don’t hold too much weight with me. “Experts” rank busts ahead of future all-pros all the time. Smith though is a bit redundant with the Shipley pick, as his clearest path to making an impact on the team is as a punt and kick returner. Maybe they’ll have Shipley return kicks with Smith returning punts? I don’t know.
His size is fine for a slot receiver in the NFL, and his ability to run after the catch is a positive. This pick could be in response to more teams shifting to a Kyle Shanahan-type offense with guys who can do more than one thing. Smith could take carries out of the backfield. He’s hard to bring down with the ball in his hands, but again, this feels like a redundant pick with Shipley on the roster.
The Eagles wide receiver room is rather strong with Brown, Smith, DaVante Parker, and Parris Campbell all carrying heavy pedigree and most likely making the team. Can Smith provide enough special teams value to be the fifth and most likely final wide receiver on the Eagles’ roster?
Round 5, Pick 155: Jeremiah Trotter, JR., LB, Clemson
The Eagles picking Trotter Jr. in this draft felt like one of the givens that was going to happen during the draft weekend. Trotter’s athleticism isn’t top-notch, but he could prove to be the best linebacker in this draft, and getting him in the fifth round is a huge value pick. Some mock drafts had him going as early as the third round.
He should earn some playing time as a rookie, but I don’t expect him to outplay Nakobe Dean for the starting position. I trust film more than combine scores, and Trotter, Jr. passes the eye test. His instincts are A+, collecting sacks, interceptions, and fumble recoveries in college. NFL Bloodlines doesn’t always equal NFL success, but Trotter Jr. seems like a fifth-round steal.
Round 5, Pick 172: Trevor Keegan, OG, Michigan
Drafting national champions is usually a good idea. This feels like a pick for the future and not the present, as fifth-round picks often are. Michigan has turned out a great offensive line over the past two years and Keegan has excelled at it, giving up zero sacks over the past two seasons. Keegan was stout in the dual blocking schemes Michigan used but may lack the length and ability to block on his own at the NFL level.
On the other side, his speed and athleticism does allow him to be an effective pulling guard and he does a good job of finding the second-level blocks needed to help spring his teammates in run blocking. The Eagles are hard to read as to whether they are going to focus on a run-heavy attack or transition to a more passing team. With all the money they just spent on wide receivers, it seems like they are looking to pass more, which makes Keegan’s future not as bright with the Eagles.
Round 6, Pick 185: Johnny Wilson, WR, Florida State
I’m in the boat that you should draft a receiver every year, and if you have the ability, draft two. That’s exactly what the Eagles did here, although, at 6’6” and 231 lbs, he looks more like a tight end. His 4.52 40-yard dash time is faster than he looks during game plays, as it takes him a minute to get to that top speed.
Wilson is a great project player who could have a future as a move tight end. I’m not sure if that’s the Eagles’ plan, since they have Dallas Goedert and C.J. Uzomah as their top two tight ends currently. Wilson is an obvious practice squad player who the Eagles hope develops into a possible red zone target.
Round 6, Pick 190: Dylan McMahon, OG/C, N.C. State
McMahon played all three interior positions during his time at N.C. State, but doesn’t have the size to play guard at the NFL level. This means he will probably be a backup center for the length of his career if he can make the Eagles’ roster. Without the ability to play guard or special teams, making a roster will make that very difficult.
Overall Draft Conclusions
After all of the trades and all of the dust settled, Philadelphia ended up with two, maybe three immediate starters and an additional two or three players who could help the team out in year one of their careers. That’s a good draft by most people’s standards and when you couple in the free-agent acquisitions they had in the offseason, Roseman was able to improve the Eagles’ roster.
I do think they made mistakes in a couple of rounds, considering the players who were available, but they did upgrade the depth of their roster and if they hit on even a couple of their later-round picks, they should be able to continue to be one of the top teams in the NFC.