Picking the Philadelphia Eagles' best Round 1 draft target after the 2024 NFL Combine
The 2024 NFL Draft will be here before we know it, which means addressing the secondary problems should be the Philadelphia Eagles' top priority. Eagles veteran cornerbacks James Bradberry and Darius Slay struggled in 2023 while Avonte Maddox spent most of the year banged up. That left former Eagles defensive coordinator Sean Deasi throwing rookies […]
The 2024 NFL Draft will be here before we know it, which means addressing the secondary problems should be the Philadelphia Eagles' top priority.
Eagles veteran cornerbacks James Bradberry and Darius Slay struggled in 2023 while Avonte Maddox spent most of the year banged up. That left former Eagles defensive coordinator Sean Deasi throwing rookies Kelee Ring and Eli Ricks into the fire before they were ready.
And that didn't work out too well for them.
The Birds' secondary alone gave up an average of 25.2 points per game, which made them one of the NFL's worst secondary units from last season.
The good news is that the Eagles can address this problem in Round 1 of the NFL draft by selecting a fresh, young playmaking corner with their No. 22 overall pick.
The Eagles had a chance to get a closer look at potential prospects at the NFL Combine last week and with that over and done with, we'll take a look at exactly who that pick should be based on results.
The Eagles should select Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell with the 22nd overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft
The Eagles have not selected a cornerback in the first round of the draft since 2002.
But if they're smart, they will break that trend by drafting Toldeo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell with the 22nd overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
At 6-foot-0 and 195 pounds, Mitchell's size isn't too far off from Darius Slay's, who is the same height and weighs in at 190 pounds. Mitchell's arms, however, are slightly shorter, measuring 31.18 inches compared to Slay's 32.25 inch arms.
Mitchell finished his collegiate career registering 123 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one sack, 45 passes defended, and six interceptions. 37 of his pass breakups came in his final two years with the Rockets.
Mitchell Boosted Draft Stock at NFL Combine
Mithcell first boosted his draft stock at the Senior Bowl and then raised it even further at the NFL Combine.
He ran a 4.33 40-yard dash and had a 38-inch vertical.
Mitchell wrapped up the combine ranked as the second-best cornerback, behind only Clemson's Nate Wiggins.
Final Word
The Eagles must figure out their secondary situation sooner rather than later and waiting to draft a cornerback until a later round could hurt them in the end.
If Mitchell is still there at No.22, the Eagles need to grab him.
Every Eagles free agent entering 2024 offseason
Howie has some big decisions to make.
