Eagles draft grades 2024: Analysis for every pick, including Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
PHILADELPHIA − The Eagles tried to address as many needs as possible in free agency, but they still had holes to fill at cornerback, among other positions.
They began the draft by addressing CB in Rounds 1 and 2, and they made three trades on Friday, and ended up with two extra fourth-round picks.
They made five more trades Saturday, in the process adding three more picks in 2025.
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The Eagles came into Saturday with seven picks in Rounds 4-7. Three of them were in the fourth round and three more in the fifth.
They ended up with one in the fourth, three in the fifth including the son of legendary Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter who goes by the same name and two in the sixth.
Here are our grades:
Quinyon Mitchell NFL draft grade
Grade: A-
Why: The Eagles managed to get their top cornerback target without having to move up from No. 22. They chose Mitchell over a more proven CB in Terrion Arnold, so that will bear watching as the years progress.
Cooper DeJean NFL draft grade
Grade: A-
Why: Many analysts had DeJean as a first-round pick, as did the Eagles. So they swung a deal with Washington and moved up from No. 50 to No. 40 to get a versatile defensive back, not to mention an elite returner.
Jalyx Hunt NFL draft grade
Grade: C
Why: Even if Hunt lives up to his vast potential, we're looking two or three years down the line because of his relative newness to edge rusher and small-school pedigree. And that seems like too much of a risk for a third-round pick when the Eagles needed to address needs at wide receiver, O-line and linebacker.
Will Shipley NFL draft grade
Grade: B
Why: I like the idea of drafting a running back to add depth behind Saquon Barkley and Kenny Gainwell, especially in the fourth round. Shipley rushed for 827 yards last season and had 244 yards receiving, but had a knee injury in the Gator Bowl.
Ainias Smith NFL draft grade
Grade: B-
Why: It's hard to imagine the Eagles seeing Smith as a No. 3 receiver, something they needed coming into the draft, by getting Smith in the fifth round. Smith, who had 795 yards receiving last season, projects as a slot receiver. He can also return kicks and punts, giving the Eagles a valuable special teams weapon.
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. NFL draft grade
Grade: B+
Why: While it's true that Trotter has the pedigree of his more famous father, who starred at linebacker for the Eagles two decades ago, he's a different kind of linebacker. Trotter Jr. is more of a modern-day sideline-to-sideline LB, something the Eagles need since Devin White is signed to a one-year deal. Trotter was expected to go in Rounds 3 or 4, so getting him in Round 5 could be a steal.
Trevor Keegan NFL draft grade
Grade: B
Why: Keegan started 36 games over three seasons at Michigan, including all 15 last season at left guard for the national champions, and was a team captain. But he projects as a backup, which is why he lasted until the sixth round. He's not considered athletic enough to be a starter. Still, Keegan brings much-needed depth, leadership and a winning pedigree.
Johnny Wilson NFL draft grade
Grade: B-
Why: Wilson has good size at 6-6, 231 pounds for a wide receiver, but according to draft analysts, he doesn't play to his size. Wilson had 617 yards receiving last season and could possibly develop into a red-zone receiver.
Dylan McMahon NFL draft grade
Grade: C+
Why: The Eagles would be thrilled if McMahon could duplicate the success of another sixth-round pick at center, Jason Kelce in 2011. McMahon was picked at No. 190, Kelce at No. 191. But that's a tall order for anyone.
Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on X @Mfranknfl.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Eagles draft grades 2024: Analyzing every Philadelphia draft pick
