Top draft analyst sets out Eagles’ top-round combinations

The Eagles are linked to cornerbacks and offensive tackles, but in what order should they draft them?

As the 2024 NFL Draft approaches, the two positions most usually connected to the Eagles in the early rounds are cornerback and offensive lineman.

But which combo is the better bet? Should the Eagles go cornerback first, then offensive tackle? Or should they start with an offensive tackle and then a cornerback in the second round?

“That is a flip. “You could go either way,” ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. stated in a national conference call this week. “I went with the cornerback first and then the offensive lineman.”

Kiper’s three picks for the Eagles are from his last two-round mock draft of 2024:

22. Nate Wiggins Jr., CB, Clemson
50. Patrick Paul, OT, Houston
53. Ja’Lynn Polk, WR, Washington

“I think corner and then maybe work the offensive lineman,” Kiper went on to say. “One other offensive lineman, Kingsley Suamataia, may still be there. I discussed him in the early or mid-second, and he could be there in the late second. There is a wide spectrum of views about him. He is extremely talented, but he needs some instruction and fine-tuning. He is also someone you could look at. And you want the versatility to wear different headgear, guard, and tackle. Maybe Cooper Beebe from Kansas State, who I sent to Baltimore, is that type of player.”

Here’s a look at the possible combinations of CB-OT based on who was available when the Eagles picked at 22 and at 50 in Kiper’s mock draft:

“I think the corner is such a key need,” Kiper remarked. “Wiggins is an example of a player with quick recovery. He’s gained weight since the combine, reaching 173 pounds. He concluded his career strong after some early setbacks.”

But it’s also interesting to consider the opposite scenario: suppose the Eagles draft an offensive tackle first and then a cornerback in the second round.

Here are some conceivable OT-CB pairings depending on who was available when the Eagles selected 22nd and 50th in Kiper’s mock draft.

“If you wanted to go the opposite way with offensive line early, it would be the guys I’ve discussed,” he said. “Mims, Guyton, and other players like that. I am not sure how far (Old) Fashanu has fallen. Those are some of your alternatives there. I don’t think Troy Fautanu will be present. I believe he will go early, or at least in the middle of the first round.”

Of course, the Eagles are not making their decisions in a vacuum, and it is impossible to predict what the other clubs will do. Some of these guys will very certainly not be available when the Eagles pick at 22 or 50, but others may fall lower than Kiper anticipates.

This is regarded a really strong class at both tackle and cornerback, so it appears to meet the Eagles’ requirements at those positions.

The need for cornerbacks is rather evident. Both Darius Slay and James Bradberry are over 30, and the Eagles’ pass defense struggled last season. Even having young guys like Kelee Ringo, Eli Ricks, and Isaiah Rodgers in the mix, the Eagles should consider drafting another cornerback.

The need on the offensive line may not be as glaring, but it is surely there. Lane Johnson, now 33, has rarely played a full season. And some of the tackles named may be able to play guard in the meantime. So you could try to find Johnson’s future replacement, who could take over at right guard right away.

Kiper also gave the Eagles a receiver with the 53rd pick. On the conference call, he said that the Eagles currently have a journeyman behind A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. This offseason, the Eagles signed DeVante Parker and Parris Campbell to one-year deals.

While Kiper gave the Eagles Polk from Washington, there are other receivers who will be available in that range.