3 teams preparing to leapfrog Rams to steal Day 1 targets in 2024 NFL Draft

III: Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles are notorious for making draft day trades, and it would be more surprising if their name was not among the teams looking to trade up. By packaging their picks in Round 1 (25th overall) and Round 2 (53rd overall), they would have a pretty convincing package to pry the 16th overall pick away from the Seahawks. But who might the Eagles target at 16? They have very similar needs as the Rams: RB, WR, CB, LB, and Edge.

Edge rusher Jared Verse out of Florida State could be one option. The Eagles traded DE Haason Reddick and might view Verse as a younger, cheaper upgrade at the position. While that could be their strategy, I'm unconvinced that they would be willing to part ways with a proven veteran if they rush back to the 2024 NFL Draft and surrender multiple picks in an attempt to draft his successor. We had mocked Verse to the Rams in our latest mock draft in Round 1, so this would be a particularly harsh scenario.

Defensive back Quinyon Mitchell out of Toledo has the feel of an Eagles trade up target. He is a projected Day 1 starter in the NFL, has the upside to become a Pro Bowler, and is getting a lot of pre-draft buzz. Best of all, the Eagles are certainly eager to bolster their pass defense. In 2023, the Eagles allowed 35 passing touchdowns, which was ranked 31st out of 32 teams. Mitchell would certainly help them shave that number down quickly.

With the retirement of elite center Jason Kelce, the Eagles would be wise to target the next elite center, Jackson Powers Johnson out of Oregon. Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 328 pounds. JPJ is a mauler, a physical interior offensive lineman who loves to get nasty as soon as he hikes the football. While the Eagles already have an understudy for the center position, I cannot see GM Howie Roseman passing up the opportunity to replace a retiring All-Pro center with a potential future All-Pro center. Many draft boards project Jackson Powers Johnson falling to 22, but I don't see the Eagles leaving that to chance. If they love JPJ, they will trade up to ensure that they get him.

At one point, Jackson Powers Johnson may have been a target for the Rams. But with the signing of Jonah Jackson to slide in at left guard and the move of second year IOL Steve Avila to center, that is no longer the case.