2024 Eagles mock draft roundup: Philadelphia reloads at cornerback position

With the first wave of NFL free agency over, all eyes around the league will turn toward pro days and one final month-long push toward April’s NFL draft.

Philadelphia has needs, but after a strong start to the free agency process, the first-round pick (No. 22) could be about nagging the best player available or a potential building block in the trenches.

Mock draft season is in full swing, and most draft experts and pundits believe the Eagles will reshape the secondary by targeting a cornerback.

With Top 30 visits starting to increase, we’re looking at an updated mock draft roundup for Philadelphia at pick No. 22.

NFL.com

SOUTH BEND, INDIANA – NOVEMBER 05: Nate Wiggins #20 of the Clemson Tigers looks on against the Notre Dame FightingIrish during the first half at Notre Dame Stadium on November 05, 2022 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Daniel Jeremiah has the Birds landing a talented cornerback from Clemson.

Pick
22
Philadelphia Eagles
Nate Wiggins
Clemson · CB · Junior

The Eagles’ pass defense was atrocious last season. Wiggins is the most natural cover man in this year’s draft.

ESPN

Nov 25, 2023; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers cornerback Nate Wiggins (2) smiles after breaking up a pass to South Carolina wide receiver Nyck Harbor (8) during the fourth quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Clemson won 16-7. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports

Mel Kiper has Philadelphia landing Clemson’s Nate Wiggins.

The Athletic

Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean (3) races up the field with an interception for a touchdown against Kentucky during the second quarter of the TransPerfect Music City Bowl, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.Syndication The Tennessean

The Athletic’s Brooks Kubena has Philadelphia adding a versatile cornerback out of Iowa.

22. Philadelphia Eagles: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
Cornerback remains the only major need the Eagles have not addressed in free agency. A flush market for the position group moved quicker in Mock 2.0, and Philadelphia’s decision-maker briefly entertained trade-back offers before ultimately snagging one of the most versatile defensive backs in the draft. The Eagles surrendered the second-most passing yards in 2023. James Bradberry regressed, and Darius Slay, 33, has two years left on his contract. DeJean could supply immediate competition at the position while also factoring into the defense’s vacancy at nickel. The All-American, who can also play safety, would allow an Eagles secondary that just signed C.J. Gardner-Johnson to field its best possible lineup. — Brooks Kubena

CBS Sports

Aug 27, 2022; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive end Jared Verse (5) lines up against Duquesne Dukes offensive lineman Chris Oliver (59) during the first half at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia adds a talented edge rusher in CBS Sports latest mock draft.

Round 1 – Pick 22
Jared Verse EDGE
FLORIDA STATE • JR • 6’4″ / 260 LBS
PROJECTED TEAM
Philadelphia
PROSPECT RNK
16th
POSITION RNK
3rd

It feels like Philadelphia is motivated to move on from Josh Sweat this offseason, which is a curious move unless the Eagles have a plan to bring in someone else. Bryce Huff, Haason Reddick and Nolan Smith are not exactly expected to hold up against the run.

PFF

Oct 8, 2022; Stanford, California, USA; Oregon State Beavers offensive lineman Taliese Fuaga (75) blocks Stanford Cardinal linebacker Levani Damuni (3) during the first quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

PFF has Philadelphia trading Pick Nos. 22 and 53 to Denver for Pick No. 12 and a 2025 third-round pick. With the pick, the Eagles land Taliese Fuaga out of Oregon State.

Look, you can’t tell me Howie Roseman doing something like this is too crazy to predict. With no second-round pick, the Broncos could aim to move back from No. 12 if they can’t trade up for a quarterback. The Eagles have an extra second-round pick, which could make this a deal. In doing so, Philadelphia — which has always looked ahead when it comes to building in the trenches — could draft a player like Fuaga, who could start at guard early on and then kick out to right tackle when Lane Johnson retires.

Yahoo Sports

ATHENS, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 05: Kamari Lassiter #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs reacts after a play against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second quarter at Sanford Stadium on November 05, 2022 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

Yahoo Sports has Philadelphia landing a cornerback from Georgia after swapping picks with San Francisco.

31. Philadelphia Eagles (via 49ers) — Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia
Another Georgia cornerback for Howie Roseman to obsess over. Hopefully, this one is a hit because the Eagles really need an infusion of young, quality talent at cornerback.

Fox Sports

Nov 18, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Oregon Ducks offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Joel Klatt has the Eagles taking steps to replace Jason Kelce’s production.

22. Philadelphia Eagles — OL Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
The Eagles have to do something in the interior offensive line following Jason Kelce’s retirement. Powers-Johnson is a good fit here. They could go corner, but they need to replace the heartbeat of the line.

NBC Sports

Nov 4, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Terrion Arnold (3) breaks up a pass intended for LSU Tigers wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama defeated LSU 42-28. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

NBC Sports has Philadelphia adding an elite cornerback.

22. Philadelphia Eagles
Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
The Eagles need to get younger at cornerback. While they have developmental options in Kelee Ringo and Eli Ricks on the roster, Arnold has the upside to be a true No. 1 on the outside.

33rd Team

CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 23: Keon Coleman #4 of the Florida State Seminoles and Nate Wiggins #2 of the Clemson Tigers compete for a catch late in the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium on September 23, 2023 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images)

The 33rd Team has Philadelphia adding cornerback Nate Wiggins.

The Sporting News

Dec 2, 2023; Detroit, MI, USA; Toledo Rockets cornerback Quinyon Mitchell (27) breaks up a pass intended for Miami (OH) Redhawks wide receiver Gage Larvadain (10) in the third quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

The Sporting News has Philadelphia adding a cornerback.

22. Philadelphia Eagles (11-6)

Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo (6-0, 195 pounds)

The Eagles did address pass rush and safety in free agency, so GM Howie Roseman should lock more into cornerback. They can’t ignore Mitchell’s speed and upside for the position, as they’re aging on the outside.