Eagles' Rookies Who Will Make Instant Impact in 2024 Season

Though the Philadelphia Eagles did make the playoffs in 2023, their campaign didn't go as most expected. After making a 2022 run to the Super Bowl, the Eagles were run out of the playoffs in the wild-card round.

The good news is that, on paper, Philadelphia is a much more complete team than it was this time last year. Veteran additions like C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Bryce Huff, Parris Campbell and Saquon Barkley should all provide immediate aid in 2024.

The Eagles will have more offensive options and should improve a defense that finished last season ranked 30th in points allowed.

The Eagles are also poised to get some strong contributions from their incoming rookie class. Here, we'll examine three rookies who have both the talent and the likely opportunities to have an immediate impact on the upcoming campaign.

The Eagles used their first-round pick on former Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell. It was a very sensible selection for a couple of reasons.

For one, Philly's pass defense was a major problem last season. Veteran cornerback James Bradberry took a significant step back after being a 2022 standout, and the Eagles ranked 31st in passing yards allowed.

Bringing back Gardner-Johnson for safety and nickel duties was wise, but the Eagles needed additional depth at corner. Mitchell, the top-ranked defensive back on the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's big board, can provide it right away.

While Mitchell is a small-school prospect, he showed at the Senior Bowl that he can hang with his big-program counterparts. While there's no guarantee that Mitchell will be in the Week 1 starting lineup, he should, at worst, see the field early as a rotational piece.

The other factor to consider here is that No. 1 cornerback Darius Slay is only under contract through 2025 and will turn 34 before the end of this season. The 6'0", 195-pound Mitchell has the size, speed (4.33-second 40-yard dash) and instincts needed to eventually replace Slay as Philly's top pass defender.

Expect Mitchell to contribute early to replace Bradberry in the starting lineup at some point in the 2024 season.

General manager Howie Roseman doubled down on the cornerback position by coming back for Iowa's Cooper DeJean in Round 2.

DeJean, a versatile defensive back who can play outside, inside or at safety, may actually earn more early playing time than Mitchell does. He should give new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio a plethora of coverage options, and DeJean's athletic upside is tremendous.

"DeJean started his career at Iowa as a safety in 2021 before transitioning to cornerback," Cory Giddings of the B/R Scouting Department wrote. "Along with his positional flexibility, he also provides real value as a return man."

In Philadelphia, DeJean can be a difference-maker both on defense and on special teams. Defensively, his ability to generate takeaways could make him an early Rookie of the Year candidate.

Over his last two seasons in college, DeJean recorded 13 passes defended, seven interceptions and three pick-sixes. Awards voters love splash plays, and DeJean has a proven ability to create them.

Expect DeJean to get an early shot to be Philadelphia's top nickel corner while providing depth on the perimeter and occasionally rotating in at safety. He should also give the Eagles another quality option for this year's new-look kickoff returns.

Roseman found some terrific value in the middle rounds, snagging Houston Christian edge-rusher Jalyx Hunt in Round 3 and Clemson running back Will Shipley in Round 4. In Round 5, he landed Clemson linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Texas A&M receiver Ainias Smith and Michigan lineman Trevor Keegan.

Of this group, Shipley could have the biggest rookie impact. While Barkley will step in as the starter, the Eagles shouldn't be inclined to overwork him as much as the New York Giants previously did.

Barkley is an elite playmaker when healthy, but he does carry a substantial injury history. Shipley has the traits needed to regularly spell Barkley in both the running and passing games.

"Shipley is a throwback to the days of the Andy Reid offense wanting those slippery pass-catchers out of the backfield," Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski wrote of Shipley's selection. Nick Sirianni seems to be trending in the same direction after the Philadelphia Eagles signed Saquon Barkley in free agency.

Expect Shipley to begin the season as a rotational back who frequently contributes as a pass-catcher before overtaking Kenneth Gainwell as the No. 2 option. Given Barkley's history of missing at least some time each season, Shipley may also get a couple of chances to fill in as the starter.