Eagles host ‘Biggest Draft Sleeper’ on Top-30 visit

The Eagles could be planning ahead in the secondary — and not in the way most fans were expecting. While everyone has been laser-focused on the top cornerbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft, Philly is doing what they always do best: sniffing out value before the rest of the league catches on.

One of their latest Top 30 pre-draft visits? Minnesota’s Justin Walley — a name you probably haven’t heard, but one that might matter more than you think.

Eagles may have found a sleeper to help replenish their secondary

Philly lost a handful of starters and role players from their secondary this offseason. Darius Slay, CJ Gardner-Johnson, Isaiah Rodgers, and Avonte Maddox to name a few. And while Kelee Ringo and Quinyon Mitchell are expected to anchor the outside for the foreseeable future, Howie Roseman isn’t one to wait around when it comes to reloading talent.

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That’s where Walley comes in. The former Golden Gopher played heavy snaps over four years in college, consistently producing while flying under the radar. He totaled seven career interceptions, 27 pass breakups, and showed the kind of awareness and foot quickness that you don’t usually find on Day 3 of the draft.

Tyler Forness of A to Z Sports called him “the biggest sleeper in this class,” praising his footwork, instincts, and ball skills. Forness even said Walley “has all the tools to be taken around pick 100,” which would make him a potential steal depending on how the board shakes out.

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This is classic Eagles draft prep. Quietly bring in a mid-to-late-round guy who checks all the football IQ boxes, stash him behind a veteran, and develop him into a key contributor down the line. We’ve seen this script before, and it usually ends in other teams wondering how they missed it.

No one’s saying Walley is going to walk into camp and start. But with his track record and skill set, you can bet the Eagles are thinking long-term — maybe even grooming him as the next man up.

Day 3 might not get the headlines, but that’s where championship rosters are built. And if Justin Walley ends up in midnight green, don’t be shocked when he turns into yet another Howie Roseman gem.