Three potential draft picks for the Eagles in 2024
Philadelphia may have a top-10 offense but only seven teams allow more points than the Eagles. These prospects would help and should be available as late first-round picks in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Kamren Kinchens (S) Miami
Philadelphia’s piecemeal approach to the safety position hasn’t worked in 2023. Reed Blankenship played well enough to earn play-calling duties against the Giants, but the former undrafted free agent could use some help out in center field.
Kinchens had 162 tackles (99 solo), 11 interceptions and two scores in three years with the Hurricanes. Known for big hits, he was hospitalized after making an early-season tackle against Texas A&M but returned a month later and had four interceptions in his last six games.
With good size (6-foot, 205 pounds) and elite coverage ability, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. sees Kinchens as the top safety in this year’s draft. Pro Football Focus also gives him top marks as their No. 15 prospect overall.
The Eagles haven’t taken a first-round safety since Georgia’s Ben Smith in 1990, but with the league’s 27th-ranked pass defense, it may be time for general manager Howie Roseman to put on his big boy pants and make the call.
Dallas Turner (EDGE) Alabama
Philadelphia’s Haason Reddick led the team with 16 sacks in 2022, was unhappy with his 2023 contract and has no guaranteed money in 2024. The team drafted Georgia linebacker Nolan Smith to be the next Reddick, but so far the former Bulldog hasn’t lived up to his first-round price tag.
Turner had an outstanding year for the Crimson Tide, leading the team with nine sacks. At 6-foot-4 and 242 pounds, the consensus All-American is already bigger than both Reddick and Smith and could be the plug-and-play linebacker Philly needs if they lose Reddick.
Kamari Lassiter (CB) Georgia
The Eagles signed cornerback James Bradberry to a three-year deal in the offseason, but he seems to have lost the edge he had as part of the NFL’s best secondary in 2022. Opposing quarterbacks target him regularly, and so far he hasn’t met the challenge.
Perhaps Philadelphia could use another Georgia player. They already have five former Bulldogs on the defense, including cornerback Kelee Ringo, the team’s fourth-round pick in 2023. With one interception in three years at Georgia, Lassiter isn’t the ball-hawk some fans look for, but with quick feet and good instincts, he’s excellent in run support and plays well in man or zone coverage.
With aging cornerbacks like Bradberry (30) and Darius Slay (32) on the roster, pairing Lassiter on the outside with his old college teammate makes plenty of sense for Philadelphia.
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