The Eagles have an opportunity to add another elite player to the roster with the 10th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. 

Coming off of a Super Bowl appearance, the Eagles have a few obvious holes to fill, such as safety and guard. Much of the effort this offseason has been spent on retaining stars such as Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham.

However, not all losses have adequate replacements. CJ Gardner-Johnson and Marcus Epps have been replaced by role players, implying the Eagles could be targeting a safety in the draft. 

However, just because the team has a need doesn't mean that position should be drafted ahead of more talented players. 

I wanted to identify three prospects that the Eagles should not select with the 10th pick. 

Brian Branch, S, Alabama

Branch is the top safety prospect in the class and has been moving up draft boards. The defensive back could play nickel corner or safety, similar to the recently departed Gardner-Johnson. 

One former NFL scout thinks the Eagles are interested in selecting a safety in the first round. 

Just based on the moves so far, it feels like the Eagles hope to come away from the draft with one of the top safeties on their board. Unless Desai makes the unlikely move to deviate from the foundation he was working with in Chicago, that position is going to be a priority.

— Honest NFL (@TheHonestNFL) April 6, 2023

However, I believe there's a chance Branch could be available at pick No. 30, the Eagles' other first-rounder. If general manager Howie Roseman loves Branch, then perhaps he could trade back a few picks and select the safety around No. 18 or so. 

I worry that the Eagles leave a more impactful player on the board and reach for a need at 10. There is expected to be a run on quarterbacks, with as many as four going in the top 10. This means the Eagles could be in a position to select an elite player who falls further than expected at No. 10. 

Passing up a player like Jalen Carter or Tyree Wilson for a safety does not seem smart to me. 

Paris Johnson Jr., OL, Ohio State

I've seen a few mocks with the Eagles taking a tackle at No. 10. 

I understand the sentiment, as the team could be in serious trouble if either Lane Johnson or Jordan Mailata goes down. However, that would be a luxury pick that is not necessary this early. 

There will undoubtedly be elite edge rushers or receivers on the board at 10 that would contribute sooner than Johnson. This is still a reach even if you plan on Johnson starting immediately at guard. 

There will be plenty of opportunities to beef up the interior later. Steve Avila, a guard from TCU, should be available at pick No. 30, for example. 

Johnson is a great prospect and should be a starter for years in the NFL. The Eagles just have more pressing needs at this point. 

Lukas Van Ness, EDGE, Iowa

Van Ness is a talented edge rusher out of Iowa. The young prospect never started a game at Iowa on the edge, but he did receive significant playing time as a rotational pass-rusher. 

Van Ness put up big numbers when he got opportunities, finishing with 13 sacks in two seasons for Iowa. 

But, Van Ness is relatively new to the edge. Van Ness originally played on the interior before being kicked to the edge in 2022. 

Van Ness is not a bad prospect and should be a quality edge-rusher eventually. He will need at least a year to adjust to the NFL game, and the Eagles will have better options at No. 10. 

I'd prefer a player like Nolan Smith over Van Ness due to Smith's ability to drop back in pass coverage. The Eagles have no shortage of pass rushers, so there's no need to reach for a developmental guy here. 

Final Thoughts: The Eagles have a great roster as it is. Adding another elite player at the 10th pick could help propel the team back to the Super Bowl. 

Brian Branch fits a need on paper, however, I do not believe he should be drafted as high as No. 10. The defensive back class is deep in this draft, so the Eagles shouldn't force a pick. 

That same line of thinking applies to Paris Johnson Jr. The Eagles have a more pressing need at guard than tackle, so there shouldn't be a rush to draft Johnson at 10. 

Van Ness is an interesting prospect and he could probably learn a thing or two behind Brandon Graham and Fletcher Cox. However, I'd prefer a Haason Reddick-type player like Nolan Smith who can contribute in multiple facets.