Philadelphia Eagles draft grades for the 2024 NFL draft
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Philadelphia Eagles drafted nine new players in the 2024 NFL draft as general manager Howie Roseman wheeled and dealt his way up and down the draft board to add to his 2025 stockpile.
And that wasn't all the Eagles did over the three-day event. The Birds agreed to a three-year contract extension with wideout A.J. Brown right before the first round.
Below are grades for each pick the Eagles made in the 2024 NFL draft.
Round 1, Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell
Heading into the draft, the Eagles desperately needed to add young talent to their secondary, and they accomplished that by adding arguably the best cornerback in the draft by selecting Quinyon Mitchell out of the University of Toledo.
The Birds stayed put at No. 22 and benefitted from the number of offensive players taken in the first round to make Mitchell the team's first cornerback selection in the first round since 2002.
Instead of going with a player from a Power 5 school as they have in previous years, the Eagles selected Mitchell, who played in the Mid-American Conference at Toledo. The Eagles picked Mitchell over the other top cornerback in the draft, University of Alabama's Terrion Arnold, who was selected two picks later by the Detroit Lions.
Mitchell and Arnold's careers will be tied together, but Mitchell should challenge Eagles cornerback James Bradberry for the starting job in Week 1.
In Mitchell, the Eagles are getting a player with a "gumbo of traits" who set Toledo's record for pass breakups.
Grade: B+
Round 2, Iowa CB Cooper DeJean
Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean was a target for the Birds at No. 22, but he kept falling down the board on Day 2, which led the Eagles to trade up and select him at 40th overall.
DeJean, a first-round talent, didn't allow a touchdown on 374 coverage snaps last season and can play cornerback and safety. Like C.J. Gardner-Johnson, DeJean is another chess piece new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio can use against opposing offenses.
DeJean and Mitchell should become young cornerstones in Philadelphia's secondary for years to come.
Grade: A+
Round 3, Houston Christian University edge rusher Jalyx Hunt
Houston Christian University edge rusher Jalyx Hunt oozes with potential if he pans out for the Eagles.
Hunt, the 2023 Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Year, is a former safety who will need to develop if he wants to be a productive edge rusher at the next level.
NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah said during the draft Hunt was one of Fangio's "favorite players" in the draft. The Eagles needed pass-rushing help in 2024 after losing Pro Bowler Haason Reddick. Hunt likely won't be helping the Birds much this season.
Grade: C
Round 4, Clemson RB Will Shipley
The Eagles addressed the running back position in the draft by adding Clemson running back Will Shipley.
Shipley had a productive collegiate career and rushed for 2,748 yards, 31 touchdowns and became the 10th player in program history to record 4,000 career all-purpose yards.
Shipley appears to be a solid compliment to new Birds running back Saquon Barkley and will compete with tailback Kenny Gainwell for playing time. Shipley can also contribute to special teams.
Shipley is coming off a knee injury in Clemson's bowl game but told reporters he's been cleared.
The Eagles have a spotty track record of drafting Day 3 running backs, and there were other tailbacks like Ray Davis on the board when they selected Shipley.
Grade: C
Round 5, Texas A&M WR Ainias Smith
With Quez Watkins and Olamide Zacchaeus not returning to Philly, the Eagles addressed the slot wideout position by selecting Ainias Smith in the fifth round out of Texas A&M.
Smith earned First-Team All-SEC honors last season and led the team in receiving. He can also contribute in the return game on special teams and as a gadget player.
CBS Sports had Smith's pro-comp as Houston Texans wideout Tank Dell, and if that happens, the Eagles will be more than satisfied with their fifth-round pick.
Grade: B
Round 5, Clemson LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
The Eagles made a legacy pick in the fifth round by adding Clemson linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr., the son of Eagles Hall of Famer Jeremiah Trotter.
Trotter Jr., a St. Joseph's Prep product, addresses a need for the Birds and earned Second-Team Associated Press All-American honors in back-to-back seasons at Clemson.
Trotter Jr. is undersized, similar to Birds linebacker Nakobe Dean, but his football instincts will help him make an impact for the Birds on defense this upcoming season.
Grade: A
Round 5, Michigan guard Trevor Keegan
It took the Eagles until Day 3 of the draft to address the offensive line when they selected guard Trevor Keegan out of Michigan with the 172nd overall pick.
Keegan, a team captain on the national champion Michigan team and three-year starter, will be a project for offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland to develop. The Birds have a good track record of turning offensive linemen into contributors late in the draft.
Grade: B
Round 6, Florida State University WR Johnny Wilson
The Eagles selected their second wideout of the draft by adding Johnny Wilson out of FSU.
Wilson is a monster of a receiver at 6 feet, 6 inches and weighs 231 pounds. He ran a 4.52 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine.
Wilson is raw but is well worth taking a stab at in the late rounds due to his tremendous upside. Maybe they eventually try and move him to tight end? Time will tell.
Grade: B+
Round 6, North Carolina State University C Dylan McMahon
Thirteen years after taking Jason Kelce in the sixth round, the Eagles selected another center, Dylan McMahon, out of NC State.
McMahon started 11 games last season for NC State and will be another project for Stoutland.
Grade: B
