Pro days and 30 visits are common as the 2024 NFL potential draws near, helping teams and potential prospects get ready for the big day.
The Dallas Cowboys are the team that, more than any other, perhaps depends on the NFL Draft to build their roster.
We’ve seen from Jerry Jones and the front office that they only go to outside free agents on low-cost one-year contracts when they need depth.
They haven’t made significant free agency investments in a long time, despite the fact that this tactic has produced competitive clubs every year.
In terms of roster talent, the Philadelphia Eagles and Cowboys have been about equal over the last few seasons.
Howie Roseman, the general manager of the Eagles, trades for elite players and signs superstars via free agency far more frequently than Jones does.
The difference is that Roseman hasn’t yet matched the Dallas Cowboys’ scouting and drafting skills, but he can close that gap if his draft is anything like the mock draft we’ll be talking about today.
This week, I’ve already acted as the pretend general manager for the Washington Commanders and the New York Giants. Now it’s time to represent the Philadelphia Eagles in that role.
Using my best judgment, I will pick a squad with the intention of creating a roster that will present the biggest obstacle to the Dallas Cowboys.
Round 1 Pick 22
Selection: T Graham Barton, Duke
In the first round of the draft, the Philadelphia Eagles choose a player who many in Cowboys Nation had their eye on landing in Dallas.
The Cowboys have always desired an offensive lineman with all of the qualities that Duke University’s Graham Barton possesses, and he would have filled a need at center.
Rather, Roseman and the Eagles select their replacement for the retiring Jason Kelce, a future Hall of Fame center, right away, keeping him apart from their top division opponent.
Even having T Troy Fautanu from Washington selected by the Cowboys in this mock draft, many of us would have rather locked up the next Travis Frederick.
Round 2 Pick 50
Selection: CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Missouri
What the Eagles think will be CeeDee Lamb’s eventual replacement is selected with the first of their two second-round selections.
Missouri cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. is regarded by many as having first-round potential.
After so many years of trying to defend from the slot cornerback position, where Rakestraw shines, I can’t help but make this selection for them.
They recently signed Avonte Maddox back for a single season, but there are rumors that Rakestraw would shift to the boundary to take James Bradberry’s spot if he becomes a cap casualty after June 1st.
With this selection, the Eagles would improve their secondary in either case.
Round 2 Pick 53
Selection: WR Keon Coleman, Florida State
I send a player to their division opponent, a player Cowboys supporters had hoped would end up in Dallas, breaking their hearts for the third straight draft.
It’s Florida State wide receiver Keon Coleman this time.
There is no chance Coleman should drop out of the top 50 picks if teams realize he plays considerably faster than his workout statistics indicate.
In terms of CB3 and WR3, the Eagles have consistently lagged behind the Cowboys over the last few seasons.
Rakestraw and Coleman’s choices bring them a lot closer to balancing those boundaries.
Round 4 Pick 120
Selection: S Cole Bishop, Utah
The Eagles’ next selection, S Cole Bishop from the University of Utah, strengthens the secondary.
Bishop would be the ideal backup for rookie S Reed Blankenship in the Eagles’ defensive backfield.
In order to prepare for 2025, Bishop may strive for playing time later in the season after they signed CJ Gardner-Johnson to a one-year contract.
Round 5 Pick 161
Selection: LB JD Bertrand, Notre Dame
The Eagles address the middle level of the defense with Notre Dame linebacker JD Bertrand after taking on the defense’s highest level in the fourth round.
In order to help shape a relatively young and inexperienced linebacker group that included Nakobe Dean and Nolan Smith Jr., Philadelphia added Devin White in free agency.
Bertrand, a two-year captain and three-year starter for Notre Dame, may also compete for playing time.
Round 5 Pick 171
Selection: TE Theo Johnson, Penn State
In an attempt to make one last push, veteran defensive team captain Brandon Graham of the Eagles agreed to a one-year contract extension.
Since being selected 13th overall in the 2010 NFL Draft, he has led the defense vocally. Now, the Eagles select a young guy from the same university who will play the same position.
The final of the Eagles’ three fifth-round selections, Braiden McGregor, has the same youthful potential as Graham to be a formidable player on the edge.
Round 6 Pick 210
Selection: LB Steele Chambers, Ohio State
The Eagles select a linebacker with depth at the position and the ability to contribute right away on special teams with their final pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The selection is Ohio State’s Steele Chambers, a former running back who is now a linebacker.
Despite having only three years of linebacker experience, Chambers’ background as a running back provides him a keen sense of openings and lanes to run.
He’s a budding talent with the potential to be a good professional.
Results
The Eagles would be the early NFC favorites after acquiring playmakers at CB3 and WR3 and adding another possible Hall of Fame center in the first round.