Glenn Erby
April 21, 2024 1:26 pm ET
The NFL draft is here, as the Chicago Bears are five days out from making Caleb Williams (USC) the No. 1 overall pick. The selection process will start with pick No. 2, where the Commanders could choose between Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye or throw a complete monkey wrench by making Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy the pick.
The one thing we do know is that Philadelphia will start the night with the 22nd pick. Unless they feel compelled to trade up for an elite prospect or slide down to Round 2 for more assets, they’ll have about 11-15 prospects with actual first-round grades to choose from.
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With draft week underway, here are the Eagles’ top ten potential targets at No. 22 overall.
JC Latham, OT, Alabama
Sep 30, 2023; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman JC Latham (65) celebrates with a cow bell in Davis Wade Stadium at Mississippi State University. Alabama defeated Mississippi State 40-17. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News
A powerful offensive tackle, Latham could be athletic enough to play the right guard spot until Lane Johnson decides to retire.
Chop Robinson, OLB, Penn State, 6-2⅞, 254 (4.48)
Penn State defensive end Chop Robinson (44) celebrates after sacking Massachusetts quarterback Taisun Phommachanh in the first half of a NCAA football game Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in State College, Pa. The Nittany Lions won, 63-0.
Even with Bryce Huff in the mix, the Eagles need an upgrade in the edge rusher position, and Robinson is the most athletic of the bunch. Josh Sweat is a free agent in 2025, and Brandon Graham is set to retire.
Robinson had 9.5 sacks over his final two college seasons, and his 18% pressure rate last season, which ranked sixth in the FBS, proves he can help replace the pressures lost in the Haason Reddick trade.
Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
Oct 8, 2022; Stanford, California, USA; Oregon State Beavers offensive lineman Taliese Fuaga (75) blocks Stanford Cardinal linebacker Levani Damuni (3) during the first quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamash*ta-USA TODAY Sports
Fuaga is a punishing blocker who plays tough. He allowed just one sack over the past two seasons while playing right tackle for the Beavers, and he’d have no trouble transitioning to right guard.
Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas, 6-0½, 297 (4.87)
Jan 1, 2024; New Orleans, LA, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Byron Murphy II (90) celebrates after a play during the second quarter in the 2024 Sugar Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Even with Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis in the mix, the Eagles have to replace Fletcher Cox (retired) and have Milton Williams in the final year of his deal.
Amarius Mims, OL, Georgia, 6-7¾, 340 (5.07)
Jan 9, 2023; Inglewood, CA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Amarius Mims (65) and offensive lineman Tate Ratledge (69) against the TCU Horned Frogs during the CFP national championship game at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mims, the most inexperienced first-round prospect, could finish his career as the best offensive tackle in the draft. In 800 snaps, Mims allowed two career sacks.
Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 01: J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Michigan Wolverines runs with the ball while being tackled by Terrion Arnold #3 of the Alabama Crimson Tide in the fourth quarter during the CFP Semifinal Rose Bowl Game at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2024 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Arnold had five interceptions last season as he developed into the Crimson Tide’s top defensive back.
Troy Fautanu, G, Washington
Jan 8, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Washington Huskies offensive lineman Troy Fautanu (55) against the Michigan Wolverines during the 2024 College Football Playoff national championship game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Fautanu started 28 games at left tackle in college, and at 6-4, 317 pounds, he could develop into an elite guard.
Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean (3) races up the field with an interception for a touchdown against Kentucky during the second quarter of the TransPerfect Music City Bowl, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
Syndication The Tennessean
Every team needs a Swiss army knife, and DeJean was a shutdown defender, who allowed only one completion of 20-plus yards in 2023.
Laiatu Latu, OLB, UCLA
Sep 9, 2023; San Diego, California, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Laiatu Latu (15) battles against San Diego State Aztecs tight end Mark Redman (81) during the first half at Snapdragon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Latu is the best pure edge rusher in this class, after ranking first in the FBS in total pressures (55) and had 13 sacks in 2023.
Graham Barton, C/G, Duke
Nov 11, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils offensive lineman Graham Barton (62) before the game at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
A jack of all trades, Barton played center as a freshman but spent the past three seasons at left tackle for the Blue Devils, and could make the move to right guard. He allowed just three sacks over the past two seasons.
Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama, 5-11½, 199
Sep 30, 2023; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry (1) breaks up a pass intended for Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Jordan Mosley (18) in Davis Wade Stadium at Mississippi State University. Alabama defeated Mississippi State 40-17. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News
The Alabama to Philadelphia pipeline is real and the best cornerback on the board could slip to the Eagles thanks to a foot injury that should be fully healed by July.
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