This year’s class is officially complete.
The Philadelphia Eagles entered the 2024 NFL Draft with eight picks. They ended up with nine new rookies … after making history with nine trades along the way. Here’s a recap of this year’s draft class!
OVERVIEW
1 (22) – CB Quinyon Mitchell
2 (40) – CB Cooper DeJean
3 (94) – EDGE Jalyx Hunt
4 (127) – RB Will Shipley
5 (152) – WR Ainias Smith
5 (155) – LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
5 (172) – OG Trevor Keegan
6 (185) – WR Johnny Wilson
6 (190) – OL Dylan McMahon
QUINYON MITCHELL
The Eagles entered the draft with cornerback as arguably their biggest need. They left the draft with a player who wasn’t widely expected to fall to No. 22. Mitchell figures to immediately compete for the starting cornerback role across from Darius Slay. If his college production is any indication, he has the potential to make a lot of plays on the ball in the NFL.
NFL Draft Results: Eagles pick Quinyon Mitchell at No. 22
Quinyon Mitchell feels like the Eagles are the right fit for him
Quinyon Mitchell drafted by Eagles: Reactions to the news
Howie Roseman explains why the Eagles drafted Quinyon Mitchell
NFL Draft Grades: Eagles got “the steal of the draft”
COOPER DEJEAN
Originally set to pick at No. 50, the Eagles got aggressive and traded up 10 spots to take a player who they said they considered taking at No. 22. DeJean is a versatile, play-making talent. It’ll be interesting to see where the Eagles line him up. Do they keep him at outside cornerback? Does he take snaps in the slot and/or safety? Do they move him around from the start or try to prevent putting a lot on his plate right away? And does he get involved as a returner? DeJean is too talented to not find a role in some capacity. If all goes well, it could work out where him and Mitchell are long-term staples of the Eagles’ secondary.
NFL Draft Results: Eagles trade up to Commanders’ spot to pick Cooper DeJean at No. 40
Reactions to Howie Roseman trading up so the Eagles could pick a second CB
Cooper DeJean gets teased by Darius Slay after being drafted by the Eagles [UPDATE]
Cooper DeJean isn’t limited by season-ending fibula fracture: “Physically, I’m good”
JALYX HUNT
Hunt was a bit of a head-scratching pick. Vic Fangio apparently sees potential in him, which is something. But he’s a big-time projection. How many examples are there of a really raw edge rusher panning out? Genuinely asking. Hunt could conceivably be a healthy scratch all season with Bryce Huff, Josh Sweat, Nolan Smith, Brandon Graham, and Zack Baun all ahead of him on the depth chart.
NFL Draft Results: Eagles pick Jalyx Hunt at No. 94
Jalyx Hunt calls Howie Roseman “Big Pimpin’,” asks for playbook ASAP
WILL SHIPLEY
The Eagles needed some more running back depth, so, Shipley fits in their rotation. But it seems like he maxes out at Just A Guy in a similar mold of Kenny Gainwell? Limited intrigue here.
NFL Draft Results: Eagles pick Will Shipley at No. 127
Mixed reactions to the Eagles drafting Will Shipley at No. 127 overall
AINIAS SMITH
Smith, no relation to DeVonta (as far as I’m aware?), projects as a slot receiver. He could compete with Parris Campbell and Britain Covey for that role. He could also compete for a returner role.
NFL Draft Results: Eagles pick Ainias Smith at No. 152
JEREMIAH TROTTER JR.
Fan service! But not fan service alone. Trot Jr. was certainly worth taking a chance on at this point in the draft. It must be repeated that he can’t be reasonably expected to be his father. But the Eagles’ unsettled linebacker situation allows for Trot Jr. to compete for playing time, be it as a role player or a starter (less likely). He’ll likely at least be a special teams contributor from the jump. It’ll be very cool to see him wearing No. 54, which is available since Shaun Bradley entered free agency (and is still unsigned).
NFL Draft Results: Eagles trade up to pick JEREMIAH TROTTER JR. at No. 155
Eagles fans are very excited about the Jeremiah Trotter Jr. pick
TREVOR KEEGAN
A Day 3 guard typically isn’t considered to be a sexy pick but I like this one for the Eagles. Keegan has logged 37 starts at left guard for one of the top college football programs. He could be a quality depth piece. Perhaps he could even push for playing time at right guard in a competition with Tyler Steen and Matt Hennessy?
NFL Draft Results: Eagles pick Trevor Keegan at No. 172
JOHNNY WILSON
Eagles fans should know by now that sometimes really big wide receivers just don’t pan out. They can be much more fun in concept than reality. See: Ifeanyi Momah, Hakeem Butler. Former Giant (pun intended) Ramses Barden also comes to mind. But it seems like Wilson can actually play a little bit? Could be a jump ball specialist, which is fine to take late on Day 3 as opposed to the second round (JJ Arcega-Whiteside reference in case it wasn’t already painfully obvious). Maybe a red zone guy. Maybe he sees an occasional downfield target. Maybe he doesn’t even make the roster.
NFL Draft Results: Eagles pick Johnny Wilson at No. 185
DYLAN MCMAHON
McMahon is an undersized, athletic center … so therefore he is the next Jason Kelce. OK, probably not. But worth taking a chance on him to see if he can provide more interior offensive line. And specifically at the pivot.
NFL Draft Results: Eagles pick Dylan McMahon at No. 190
TRADE CONSIDERATIONS
- The Eagles acquired THREE picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, which is largely considered to be deeper than 2024. They picked up a 2025 third-round pick from the Miami Dolphins, a 2025 fourth-round pick from the Detroit Lions, and a 2025 fifth-round pick from the Houston Texans. These additions give them nine total picks next year … and four in the first three rounds.
- Unlike the past two years (see: A.J. Brown and D’Andre Swift), the Eagles did not trade for a veteran player during the draft. But the multiple trades for picks in 2025 certainly gives Howie Roseman extra ammo to get something done before the season starts, if so desired.
UDFA
The Eagles aren’t done adding rookie talent to their roster; they’ll be immediately signing more players in undrafted free agency. Philadelphia has been able to find some UDFA contributors in recent years such as Reed Blankenship, Britain Covey, Eli Ricks, Ben VanSumeren, etc. We’ll see if Roseman can find some more diamonds in the rough.
WORK TO BE DONE
- The Eagles didn’t add an offensive tackle. They were rumored to be interested in taking one as high as the first round (I heard they liked Amarius Mims, who was taken 18th overall). Their current backup tackle is Fred Johnson, who’s made eight starts since 2019. They could afford to add more at this position through UDFA and perhaps even a veteran addition.
- Safety, linebacker, and tight end are some other spots with unsettled depth where the Eagles could look to add rosterable UDFA talent.
GRADE THE DRAFT
I’ll be issuing my own grade after taking a beat to digest everything. For now, make your voice heard by voting in the poll and jumping in the comment section below!
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