2024 NFL Draft shatters an interesting record as the Eagles go against several trends

With the new NFL rules and direction, it’s no surprise that offensive players are clearly at a premium. The 2024 draft reflected that reality as it set a new record(s). However, your Philadelphia Eagles didn’t contribute to the record, believe it or not. This is not a bad thing; it’s a reflection of how forward-thinking they are and a testament to how great they’ve built their team. 

The first is that three quarterbacks were selected over the first three picks, which is a rare occurrence. The next eleven picks also followed a trend in which only offensive players were drafted. This result doubled the previous record set during the 2021 NFL draft, where the first seven players selected were on the offensive side of the ball. 

The streak obviously ended when the Colts selected an edge rusher with the 15th overall pick in the NFL draft. We saw a few more defensive players selected but the draft board really fell to the Eagles favor as we approached pick number 22.

Eagles set their own record in the 2024 NFL Draft

.@QuinyonMitchell became @ToledoFB's first Round 1 pick in 30 years.

His teammates went crazy for him. 🥹 @Eagles pic.twitter.com/XPZWmAzNAT

— NFL (@NFL) April 26, 2024

Much is made of the strength of each specific draft class, this one clearly being offensive players and, more specifically, wide receivers. But I also think there’s something to be said about focusing on knowing what other teams will do based on the draft board. The Eagles had their choice of three elite cornerbacks at pick 22, which was arguably the biggest need on the roster. 

With Terrion Arnold and Quinyon Mitchell available, Howie Roseman didn’t have to trade up this year to reach their target. This was only the fourth time since Roseman became GM in 2010 that he selected a player in the first round with the Eagle’s original pick in the first round of the NFL draft.

A few more trends the Eagles went against in this draft was making Mitchell the first cornerback they selected in the first round since Lito Sheppard in the 2002 NFL draft. What better time to break that trend, as the best cornerback in this class fell right in their lap.