The Philadelphia Eagles have several needs to address this offseason on the back of the embarrassing campaign that followed their Super Bowl appearance at the end of the 2022 season.
The upcoming 2024 season is an important one for Jalen Hurts, who’s discovered how difficult it is to be a franchise quarterback on a mega deal. A late-season MVP candidate last season, Hurts took several steps backward in 2023 as his QBR dropped from 68.3 to 60.1 while he threw 15 interceptions, more than twice as many as he threw the term prior (six).
The Eagles have made some good moves in free agency, signing a star running back in, Saquon Barkley, while adding wide receivers DeVante Parker and Parris Campbell. They’ve also brought in veteran center Matt Hennessy.
Still, the draft is where they really need to hit it big. They did a great job last year, bringing Jalen Carter in with their first pick, but this time around will be even more crucial as head coach Nick Sirianni’s job could be on the line.
The team has replaced their coordinators, with Vic Fangio and Kellen Moore coming in, so expectations will be high.
Where the draft is concerned, Philly’s going at No. 22 in the first round. They also have picks 50, 53, 120, 161, 171, 172, and 210 in the other rounds.
A cornerback should be a priority for Sirianni in 2024, as they don’t appear to have someone who has the markings of a star who could take over from James Bradberry and Darius Slay. It’s worth noting that Slay missed five games with an injury last season.
Last year’s fourth-round pick, Kelee Ringo, hasn’t been convinced, nor has Eli Ricks, who went undrafted last year. They also have some veteran players at the position but are tipped to sign a CB in the first round – the sports betting sites have them at -120 to do so. They also have them at +225 to sign an offensive lineman and +250 to sign a defensive lineman or edge rusher.
The linebacker position is another one that needs addressing, although the team believes in Nakobe Dean, and they’ve also brought in Devin White. Dean found himself on the injured reserve twice last year and underwent a Lisfranc operation, so he will need to prove he can remain healthy. White, a former Pro Bowler, and second-team All-Pro helped the Tampa Bay Buccaneers win a Super Bowl a few years ago but will have to prove his worth in Philadelphia, especially after the season he had in 2023.
There’s not much depth behind the players expected to start. Oren Burks has never made more than five starts in a season, while Zack Baun could be more effective as an Edge rusher, so the Eagles would do well to add to the position heading into 2024.
The team could also use some beefing up along its offensive line. Jason Kelce’s retirement has left a huge hole, though the offense is still relatively solid in said department.
The former NFC champions have made two-time Pro Bowl guard Landin Dickerson the highest-paid player at his position with a four-year deal worth $84 million. Two-time first-team All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson remains under contract until 2026. Left tackle Jordan Mailata has another season to go before his contract expires.
With Cameron Jurgens set to move to center to fill the void left by Kelce, the Eagles would hate the right guard position to become one opponents can exploit.
The team might also look to draft another wideout, which would allow them to add to an already formidable receiving group that includes A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Although they have brought Campbell and Parker in on one-year deals, expectations aren’t that high.
Philly also has until May 2 to decide whether to pick up Smith’s fifth-year option, while Brown’s cap hit is expected to reach $41.5 million by 2026. Bringing in a rookie WR on a manageable deal could prove to be a great option.
Howie Roseman has proven time and time again that he is one of the shrewdest executives in the business, so Eagles fans will trust that he will make the right decisions in the upcoming draft after already scoring big in free agency.
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