Eagles GM Howie Roseman addresses 2024 draft strategy

Philadelphia’s efforts concerning trades were notably aimed at acquiring extra draft capital in 2025. When speaking about that strategy, general manager Howie Roseman noted that the relatively shallow pool of prospects in this year’s class was a key factor. Added eligibility due to the pandemic as well as NIL deals led to just 58 underclassmen declaring for the 2024 draft.

That figure could change next year, though, something the Eagles are anticipating given their actions over the weekend. Philadelphia added three 2025 selections — a third-rounder from the Dolphins, a fourth-rounder from the Lions and a fifth-rounder from the Texans — through pick swaps. 

The team will also receive a second- or third-round selection next year through the Haason Reddick trade. As Roseman noted, the Eagles will also have a smaller UDFA class than usual in 2024.

“I think a big part of that is because we made a conscious decision after the season to try to get guys from team’s practice squads where we had some tape to watch,” Roseman said (via PHLY’s Zach Berman). “We felt like that was just for us kind of a unique opportunity that we wanted to try and take advantage of based on this class and knowing that this was a different class, and so it wouldn’t have a ton of the same opportunities in the undrafted market that maybe you’ll get next year…. I think it will be back to normal next year.”

The Eagles have yet to unveil their class of undrafted free agents, but Over the Cap lists the team as already having 88 players on its roster. 

The offseason limit in that regard is 90, so Roseman’s remarks will hold true in terms of signing free agents with the draft now in the books. Given the team’s added capital for next year, however, Philadelphia will certainly be worth watching closely in the spring of 2025.