NFL Draft: 5 players the Philadelphia Eagles could target in the first round

Following a historic late-season collapse, the Philadelphia Eagles have officially shifted focus to the NFL off-season.

The Eagles enter the the 2024 NFL season needing a ton of help — and there are multiple positions they can choose to address with the 22nd pick. If history tells us anything, there’s a pretty good chance it’s going to be a lineman.

While “Stoutland University” has plenty of options, including Cam Jurgens taking Jason Kelce’s spot at center – the Eagles have a long history of selecting offensive lineman in the first round of the draft.

Could this be the year the Philadelphia Eagles break the streak?

Since 2010, the Eagles have expended 10 first-round picks on the offensive or defensive line, with the other four being quarterback and wide receiver. What’s even more jarring is that the team hasn’t drafted a first-round cornerback since Lito Shepard, the 26th pick in 2002.

That said, the position has a glaring need, and this class is stacked.

We’ll find out soon enough. Here are five players I think the Eagles will target in the 2024 NFL Draft:

Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma

The Eagles listen to their players. That was apparent when former center Jason Kelce hand-picked his eventual replacement, Cam Jurgens, in the 2022 NFL Draft.

This year, Lane Johnson has advocated for Guyton as his successor — and it’s been confirmed the team is bringing him in for a top-30 visit.

BREAKING: Oklahoma OT Tyler Guyton has a top-30 visit scheduled with the #Eagles, sources tell @LibertyLinePHL. pic.twitter.com/0Y4HOXSdt8

— Jake Rabadi (@JakeRabadiNFL) February 23, 2024

Guyton, who’s from the same alma mater as Johnson — the University of Oklahoma — is a long tackle with all the tools to be an eventual pro bowler. At 6-foot-7, 328 pounds, Guyton had 355 pass-block snaps and allowed zero sacks.

Guyton is very raw and has limited playing time, starting in just 15 games through 4 years, but his potential is through the roof.

Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa

While the Eagles need to better the cornerback position, they need help everywhere in the secondary.

Dejean, another top-30 visit for the Eagles, reported by Chat Sports NFL reporter Chase Senior, can do it all.

There’s discourse about DeJean, 6-foot, 203 pounds, moving to safety. It’s not because he can’t play on the boundary; it’s because he can truly be effective anywhere. He’s a playmaking, versatile cornerback who can play anywhere in the secondary.

The former Hawkeye has 7 career interceptions, 3 of which returned for a touchdown. He was tasked with primarily playing zone at Iowa, so there are questions about his ability in press coverage. But in newly-minted defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s scheme, which runs a ton of heavy zone coverage, DeJean would make a perfect fit.

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Chop Robinson, Edge, Penn State

Robinson has similarities to Nolan Smith: Both are ultra-athletic with twitch, explosion and power.

At 6-foot-3, 254 pounds, Robinson impressed at the combine with a 4.48 40-yard dash and a 1.54 10-yard split. On tape, his first step is incredibly quick.

Despite his athleticism, his production wasn’t great. In two years with the Nittany Lions, he had just 9.5 sacks. He’s raw, but he has high potential.

With Haason Reddick and Josh Sweat having uncertain futures with the team, and Brandon Graham nearing the end of his career, it would make sense to go this route. Robinson and Smith would solidify the young core on the defensive line.

Graham Barton, OL, Duke

The Eagles prioritize versatility on the offensive line. That’s why, in recent years, they were drawn to Jurgens, Landon Dickerson, and Tyler Steen.

Barton has that kind of versatility.

The former Blue Devil went to Durham, NC, as a center, but switched to left tackle and played his final three years protecting the blindside. He succeeded there, but the league views him more as an interior offensive lineman, a position the Eagles could look to upgrade following Kelce’s retirement.

Barton is a feisty blocker who finishes each rep and excels in the run game.

I think the Eagles will choose to keep Jurgens at center and try to find a replacement at right guard, whether that be free agency or the draft. And in this case, Barton would make a great replacement.

Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

I want to preface this by saying, while I believe Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell and Alabama’s Terrion Arnold are better players, I don’t think they’ll fall to the Eagles’ pick.

Wiggins is no consolation prize, though. At the combine, he showcased his speed in the 40-yard dash, blazing his way to an official 4.28 time. But following his impressive sprint, he was done for the day after he ‘felt something pop’ in his leg. Afterward, he told NFL Network’s Stacy Dales that it was just a hip flexor injury, and he should be good to go for Pro Day.

The former Tiger is an overall exceptional athlete and shut-down corner, but there are legitimate concerns in the run game.

Despite those concerns, I think he could step in right away and start for an aging Eagles’ secondary.

Read More: Eagles get four compensatory picks, now hold eight total selections in 2024 NFL Draft

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Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker, USA TODAY Sports