INDIANAPOLIS − It's easy to look at the Eagles' porous defense and conclude that they should focus their early-round NFL draft picks on defenders, whether it's at cornerback, edge rusher, safety or linebacker.

It just so happens that the Eagles have the picks to address the defense. They have a first-round pick (No. 22 overall), two second-round picks (Nos. 50 and 53) and a compensatory pick at the end of the third round (roughly in the late 90s).

But there is a strong case to be made for adding to their offense, even through the Eagles ranked in the top 10 in points per game (seventh), total yards (eighth) and rushing (eighth).

The Eagles also had two receivers with more than 1,000 yards receiving last season in A.J. Brown (1,456 yards) and DeVonta Smith (1,066 yards). The duo also did it in 2022, when quarterback Jalen Hurts was an MVP finalist and led the Eagles to the Super Bowl.

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If anything, the Eagles' 1-6 finish to last season showed how little depth they had at receiver behind Brown and Smith. In addition, running back D'Andre Swift, who rushed for 1,049 yards last season, is set to become a free agent, and the Eagles have a history of not paying for running backs.

So why not use a second- or third-round pick on a running back? And here, it could be someone like Delaware native MarShawn Lloyd, who grew up in Middletown but commuted two hours each way to high school at DeMatha Catholic in Hyattsville, Maryland.

After spending his first three college seasons at South Carolina, Lloyd transferred to Southern Cal and had 820 yards rushing, averaging 7.1 yards per carry.

Lloyd told reporters at the NFL scouting combine Friday that his high school experience helped build his character. Lloyd's mother, NaShawn, would drive him the 90 miles or so each way to school.

"She thought (DeMatha) was the best choice for me," Lloyd said. "We woke up at 4:45 every morning, left the house by 5:15, drove two hours there and back. We got home around 10 o’clock and just started all over again. We did that consistently.

"It made me grow up early. It helped me learn time management very quickly … At some point, I got used to it."

NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said he compares Lloyd to Swift in running style. Jeremiah said Lloyd and Tennessee's Jaylen Wright are "my two favorites" at running back in the draft. He said they're in a group of six or eight who could go in the second or third round.

"(Swift) was my comp for (Lloyd)," Jeremiah said. "Patient, explosive. I think he will run really well in Indianapolis as well. Kind of an aggressive, attacking running style."

Why Eagles should address offensive needs in the draft

It's not just at running back, where Swift, Boston Scott and little-used Rashaad Penny are all eligible for free agency. Kenny Gainwell, who is under contract for next season, is not seen as a lead back after an underwhelming 2023.

The Eagles also need a dependable third wide receiver. While it's true that Brown, Smith and tight end Dallas Goedert will get the vast majority of the targets, it's also true that the Eagles needed more production from the receivers behind them.

Quez Watkins was a major disappointment last season in an injury-plagued season. Watkins, Julio Jones and Olamide Zaccheaus combined for 36 catches for 380 yards last season. They are all eligible for free agency.

So instead of paying upwards of $15-$20 million in free agency for a top-caliber slot receiver, the Eagles could draft someone like Florida State's Keon Coleman in the first round, or Oregon's Troy Franklin.

Coleman isn't a speed receiver like Watkins. But at 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, Coleman is adept at winning 50-50 balls as a former basketball player. He's reminiscent to Alshon Jeffery in that regard.

If the Eagles wait until the end of the third round, maybe a speed receiver like Texas' Xavier Worthy will be available, or Washington's Ja'lynn Polk, another possession receiver, could be available.

On offense, the draft is better than free agency

So if the Eagles aren't going to spend big money in free agency at running back or receiver, then the draft might be the way to go.

"D'Andre had a great year," Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said. "He did a lot of really, really great things, and we'll see how that plays out. There's a lot to play out, right? There's free agency. There's the draft ... You're trying to fill, just like you are in a receiver room, different roles."

Lloyd was rated as one of the most efficient running backs in the draft. It's easy to see why.

"I’ve been able to make defenders miss," Lloyd said. "It's preparation, and my coaches did a really good job teaching me, and helping me know what to do when certain things happen."

Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on X @Mfranknfl.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: How Eagles can find D'Andre Swift successor early in NFL draft