Get younger. Plan for succession. Add players who can run and who were productive in college and who were leaders on and off the field and if that takes hopping around the 2024 NFL Draft on its second night, so be it. Because that's exactly what Howie Roseman did, trading up in the second round to select Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean, a first-team All-American player last season, and then moving back twice in the third round and taking edge player Jalyx Hunt – who had an incredible journey starting at Cornell and finishing his college career at Houston Christian University, losing one full season to COVID amid that college pathway – with the No. 94 pick overall.
With that, the Eagles have seven picks to make – as of now in the earn-your-money rounds of four through seven.
What has the team accomplished through nights one and two? They addressed the defensive backfield with Quinyon Mitchell at No. 22 overall and then came back with the move upward in Round 2 to take DeJean, a player universally projected to go in the first round.
But he was there at No. 40 overall and Roseman went up and got him and the Eagles have suddenly infused their secondary with a pair of players who were outstanding in college, who have abilities to allow new Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio some scheme flexibility, and who certainly make the depth chart oh, so interesting.
Mitchell's strengths are many, and it's going to be fun to see how the Eagles work him into a crowded and talented cornerback group in this 2024 season. DeJean has the skill set to be used in many ways, so Fangio can decide if he competes as an outside corner, slot corner, or as a safety, or in some hybrid role. He's listed as a defensive back, a compliment to his projected ability to play in a number of spots and add athleticism and ball-hawking instincts to a secondary that has been addressed heavily in this offseason – all for the good.
The Eagles are much faster, more athletic, younger, and talented in the secondary moving forward. They didn't take the football away enough last season; improving that number is clearly a focus for the team and a theme for the first two rounds of this draft.
Then the Eagles moved back a couple of times in Round 3 and came away with Hunt, who joins the party on the edge and is, really, in the perfect situation. He oozes with pass-rushing skills, has a long body at 6-4 and 250-plus pounds that can add some bulk, and can continue to develop behind the likes of Brandon Graham, Josh Sweat, Bryce Huff, Nolan Smith, and others.
From first-round pick CB Quinyon Mitchell at No. 22 overall to G/C Dylan McMahon to close out the Eagles' 2024 NFL Draft in the sixth round, check out these photos of all nine selections.
CB Quinyon Mitchell is swarmed by Eagles fans in Detroit.
CB Quinyon Mitchell tries on an Eagles hat for the first time as a member of the team.
Quinyon Mitchell is the first cornerback to be selected by the Eagles in the first round since Lito Sheppard in 2002.
Quinyon Mitchell was a second-team All-American in 2023.
Quinyon Mitchell had six interceptions during his time at Toledo.
In 2022, Quinyon Mitchell led all FBS players with 20 PBUs.
After moving up to No. 40 overall in the second round, the Eagles selected DB Cooper DeJean out of Iowa.
After moving up to No. 40 overall in the second round, the Eagles selected DB Cooper DeJean out of Iowa.
After moving up to No. 40 overall in the second round, the Eagles selected DB Cooper DeJean out of Iowa.
After moving up to No. 40 overall in the second round, the Eagles selected DB Cooper DeJean out of Iowa.
After moving up to No. 40 overall in the second round, the Eagles selected DB Cooper DeJean out of Iowa.
After moving up to No. 40 overall in the second round, the Eagles selected DB Cooper DeJean out of Iowa.
The Eagles selected outside linebacker Jalyx Hunt out of Houston Christian with the 94th overall pick to end their second day of the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Eagles selected outside linebacker Jalyx Hunt out of Houston Christian with the 94th overall pick to end their second day of the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Eagles selected outside linebacker Jalyx Hunt out of Houston Christian with the 94th overall pick to end their second day of the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Eagles selected outside linebacker Jalyx Hunt out of Houston Christian with the 94th overall pick to end their second day of the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Eagles selected RB Will Shipley in the fourth round out of Clemson with the 127th overall pick.
The Eagles selected RB Will Shipley in the fourth round out of Clemson with the 127th overall pick.
The Eagles selected RB Will Shipley in the fourth round out of Clemson with the 127th overall pick.
The Eagles selected RB Will Shipley in the fourth round out of Clemson with the 127th overall pick.
The Eagles selected RB Will Shipley in the fourth round out of Clemson with the 127th overall pick.
The Eagles selected WR Ainias Smith out of Texas A&M with the 152nd overall pick in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Eagles selected WR Ainias Smith out of Texas A&M with the 152nd overall pick in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Eagles selected WR Ainias Smith out of Texas A&M with the 152nd overall pick in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Eagles selected WR Ainias Smith out of Texas A&M with the 152nd overall pick in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Eagles selected WR Ainias Smith out of Texas A&M with the 152nd overall pick in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Eagles traded up to the Colts' spot at the 155th overall pick to select a familiar name in LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. out of Clemson.
The Eagles traded up to the Colts' spot at the 155th overall pick to select a familiar name in LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. out of Clemson.
The Eagles traded up to the Colts' spot at the 155th overall pick to select a familiar name in LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. out of Clemson.
The Eagles traded up to the Colts' spot at the 155th overall pick to select a familiar name in LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. out of Clemson.
The Eagles drafted guard Trevor Keegan out of Michigan with the 172nd overall pick in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Eagles drafted guard Trevor Keegan out of Michigan with the 172nd overall pick in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Eagles drafted guard Trevor Keegan out of Michigan with the 172nd overall pick in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Eagles drafted guard Trevor Keegan out of Michigan with the 172nd overall pick in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Eagles added another offensive weapon in WR Johnny Wilson out of Florida State with the 185th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Eagles added another offensive weapon in WR Johnny Wilson out of Florida State with the 185th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Eagles added another offensive weapon in WR Johnny Wilson out of Florida State with the 185th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Eagles added another offensive weapon in WR Johnny Wilson out of Florida State with the 185th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Eagles closed out the 2024 NFL Draft with the sixth-round selection of G/C Dylan McMahon out of N.C. State with the 190th overall pick.
The Eagles closed out the 2024 NFL Draft with the sixth-round selection of G/C Dylan McMahon out of N.C. State with the 190th overall pick.
The Eagles closed out the 2024 NFL Draft with the sixth-round selection of G/C Dylan McMahon out of N.C. State with the 190th overall pick.
The Eagles closed out the 2024 NFL Draft with the sixth-round selection of G/C Dylan McMahon out of N.C. State with the 190th overall pick.
Defense has been the focus for the first two nights of the NFL Draft. What is to come? The Eagles have some draft capital here and they have some areas they want to address, for sure. They are in a position where they don't have to reach, but certainly they want to challenge the roster and they want to add players who can help the team in 2024 and in the seasons ahead.
It has been an interesting two nights and very much on point of what most thought going in: The Eagles had a plan to stay true to their draft board and, as it turned out, bring in some players who can help the defense in a variety of ways.
This defense is fortified with the additions of Mitchell, DeJean, and Hunt, but is not yet finished. The opening nights gain most of the attention from the fans and media, but it's often the final day that brings on board the special sauce, and with six picks, the Eagles are armed to go in any direction they want, knowing they don't have to reach and that they hold a favorable hand.
In two nights, the Eagles' defense got a lot younger, more athletic, deeper in talent. All three of the newest Eagles have veterans in front of them who are here to help the rookies contribute and to help the team win and that is a very positive step for a team with the highest aspirations for 2024.
