Prospects for Eagles to Avoid in 2024 NFL Draft

Following a late 2023 collapse, the Philadelphia Eagles needed to make some significant changes this offseason, and they did.

Philly hired Kellen Moore and Vic Fangio as offensive and defensive coordinator, respectively. The Eagles also retooled their defense by adding the likes of Bryce Huff, Zack Baun, Oren Burks, Devin White and C.J. Gardner-Johnson.

General manager Howie Roseman didn't ignore the offense either, signing players like running back Saquon Barkley and receiver DeVante Parker.

If the Eagles are going to jump right back into title contention, though, they need to have a successful draft. They have eight selections with which to work, including the 22nd overall, and they should be very interested in immediate contributors.

If the Eagles don't rebound quickly, head coach Nick Sirianni could start settling into the hot seat.

With this in mind, let's examine three prospects the Eagles should look to avoid in the 2024 NFL draft and why.

Roseman has a recent history of targeting front-seven defenders in the first round, and it will surprise exactly no one if he takes a similar approach in 2024. If Alabama edge-rusher Dallas Turner somehow falls to No. 22, however, Roseman should avoid the temptation.

This isn't to say that Turner isn't a worthy first-round pick. He is. He has the potential to be a difference-maker as a sack artist at the next level and could become a future star.

"Overall, Turner has plenty of tools to work with to warrant a top-15—and maybe even a top-10—selection in this year's draft class," Matt Holder of the Bleacher Report Scouting Department wrote.

However, Turner can be a liability against the run, and the Eagles need to improve a unit that ranked 20th in yards per rush allowed last season. This isn't a major position of need anyway. While the Eagles did trade Haason Reddick, they added Huff, and they snagged Nolan Smith when he tumbled in the 2023 draft.

The Eagles will be intrigued by Turner if he's available at No. 22 because of the draft value. If that happens, though, they should instead consider flipping the pick to a pass=rusher-needy team for more capital.

After ranking 31st in passing yards allowed last season, the Eagles need safety help. However, they need players who can fit Fangio's scheme, which has traditionally used lighter boxes and disguised coverages to keep offenses guessing.

On the back end, Fangio's defense best fits safeties with the versatility and speed needed to mirror receivers and cover all areas of the field. The two-high shell is a staple of Fangio's defense, though safeties aren't always going to just sit back in deep zone coverage.

Oregon State's Kitan Oladapo—while a good overall prospect, ranked 33rd overall by the B/R Scouting Department—might not be the best fit for Philly. His size, physicality and run defense are intriguing, but probably won't be an elite coverage safety at the next level.

"His lack of twitch and movement skills are an area of concern," Cory Giddings of the B/R Scouting Department wrote. "He will have to find a role as a strong safety with the ability to cover tight ends man-to-man and the underneath areas in zone coverage."

While plenty of teams will be happy landing a pure box safety with high-end potential, the Eagles aren't one of them.

Despite bringing back Gardner-Johnson and signing Tyler Hall, the Eagles need more cornerback depth. There's no guarantee that James Bradberry will rebound from a dreadful 2023 campaign, and Philly must be prepared.

Penn State's Kalen King is a corner prospect who should be available on Day 2 or early Day 3. He has the scheme versatility to fit Fangio's defense, but his lack of functional play strength is a serious concern.

"King struggled this past week when matched up against the nation's best," Giddings said during Senior Bowl Week. "His lack of strength showed, being pushed off at the top of routes and allowing space, even when in the correct position."

It's an issue that should have Philadelphia avoiding King altogether in the draft. Fangio's defense is largely zone-based, but it will mix in man concepts and regularly ask cornerbacks to defend receivers on an island.

A cornerback who can't consistently match up with bigger, physical receivers will regularly have those receivers lined up against him by the opposing team.

Perhaps King can correct his issues and become a quality contributor down the line. However, Philly's championship window is open now, and it should be more interested in prospects who can provide immediate depth at such a key position.