PHILADELPHIA — It’s been more than 20 years since the Philadelphia Eagles had a draft like this.
You’d have to go back to 2002 to find the only other time in the common draft era that Philadelphia selected multiple defensive backs within the first two rounds. That year the Eagles took three DBs, cornerbacks Lito Sheppard and Sheldon Brown and safety Michael Lewis, despite already having a number of high-profile players likeTroy Vincent, Bobby Taylor and Brian Dawkins in the secondary.
It proved to be one of the most consequential drafts in team history. Those players served as a bridge to the future and patrolled the back end of the defense during the height of coach Andy Reid’s successful run in Philly.
The Eagles can only hope history repeats with the selections of cornersQuinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean in the top two rounds last week.
“I think we’re all a product of our experiences,” said general manager Howie Roseman, who was new to the organization and working as a salary cap staffer back in ’02. “Obviously those guys played for us in the Super Bowl, and I think that Coach Reid has always done a great job of being a year ahead.
“I think that’s one of the lessons that I got to learn from him working with him, for him. So I think from our perspective, obviously that’s always in the back of the mind when we’re making picks. At the forefront are those who can help the team right now. ”
The main difference this time is that the need is more urgent, even with accomplished players like Darius Slay and James Bradberry on the team. .
The Eagles have delivered 35 passing touchdowns last season, second most in the NFL and second most in franchise history. No team allowed more passing yards (2,383) or passing touchdowns (23). outfield throwing vs. the Eagles in 2023.
>Lack of speed is part of the problem With Slay, 33, and Bradberry, 30, well into their careers, the Eagles know they must action for both present and future
“We want to create. Incredible competition at every position. “It’s a position we don’t talk about a lot in the draft,” Roseman said. “We feel like we still have veterans on the roster that will come back… But we want a little more youth. A total of 22. It is widely expected internally that he will be selected 15th overall or sooner. A trade for Mitchell was considered, but running at quarterback and offensive lineman pushed Mitchell down the board and into the Eagles’ lap. last defensive back to play since 1995 (Tyrone Poole, 22nd overall to the Panthers).
If the Eagles replace Mitchell, it would drain their resources, making the job Landing the DeJean became more difficult. DeJean was widely considered a first-round pick, but his name was not called on day one. According to CEO Jeffrey Lurie, the Eagles became “obsessed” with getting him on Day 2. So they traded with the Washington Commanders, sending two second-round picks – Nos. 50 and 53 – as well as a fifth-round pick for picks Nos. 40 and 78.
The Eagles got the first pick – Round points for both players, Roseman said.
Mitchell has a chance to start immediately on the perimeter opposite Slay, based on his talent level and the fact that Bradberry had a rough go of it last season after an All-Pro campaign in ’22 . Interestingly, Slay is the player Mitchell models his game on.
“I don’t know them but I watch [Slay and Bradberry] games a lot and things like that ,” Mitchell, who said. led the team. FBS with 15 assists last season. “I really just want to dive in and learn everything about them.”
DeJean’s role is harder to predict due to his versatility. Several teams are touting him as a safety at the pro level, but there’s a feeling in the Eagles building that he can “do it all,” leaving open the possibility that he could also line up at outside corner or outside corner.
“The way I was trained at Iowa, I was trained to be perfect and tried to be perfect in everything I did. C “Perfection is almost impossible but That’s what I try to achieve every time I step up to the plate,” said DeJean, who has thrown a total of seven interceptions over the past two seasons, including three returned for touchdowns. “So I’m excited to come here, learn this defense, learn from the elders that have been in this building and get to work and get back to playing football.”
DeJean missed the day’s finals. season suffered a broken fibula, but said he has made a full recovery.
If he is safe, he will be in the room currently occupied by Reed Blankenship and C.J. Gardner-Johnson led. If available, he would be part of a young group with a mix of veterans like Slay, Bradberry and Avonte Maddox, as well as fourth-year player Isaiah Rodgers and some rising stars like Kelee Ringo, Eli Ricks and Mitchell.
With DeJean suffering a serious injury and Mitchell making the jump from the MAC to the NFL, there’s no guarantee the rookie DB will make an immediate impact. But their presence, along with the signing of defensive coordinator Vic Fangio earlier this season, offers hope that a return to form for an organization with a proud history of defensive football is coming. Prosperity is within reach.
Coach Nick Sirianni said: “I’m excited about the competition. “It’s going to make everyone better and we’re really looking forward to seeing these guys out there.