Who should Eagles take in first round of NFL draft 2024? Here are 6 players to watch

In many ways, the Eagles are primed to trade up for a premier player in the first round of the NFL draft.

And it has everything to do with the quarterback, something the Eagles don't need with Jalen Hurts as the starter and Kenny Pickett, whom the Eagles traded for in March, as the backup.

The quarterback effect is nothing new in the draft. But it could be different this year because there are as many as six QBs predicted to be picked in the first round Thursday night. Four of them could go among the first six picks, and at least one more in the first 15.

That, of course, could lead to a top 10 player at another position dropping into the mid-to-late teens. Or perhaps a top 15 player falling to the Eagles spot at No. 22.

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Eagles GM Howie Roseman appeared to caution against waiting for a desired player to fall to them when asked about the quarterback factor last week.

"We’ve been in drafts where there’s been great depth at a position, and you feel like, all right, you’ll just sit there and wait," Roseman said. "And all of a sudden the guys go really quickly, and you sit there and go, 'Man, I thought this was going to be a great draft there, and there’s not many left.'

"I think you just have to be prepared. Again, I say this because it’s the truth. ... We’ll be ready for any scenario that comes from us. We’ll be ready to make decisions on the clock, and we’ll be ready to trade."

That worst-case scenario likely happened to the Eagles a decade ago, when Chip Kelly was the head coach. That spring, Kelly said the Eagles had six targets for their first-round pick, which coincidentally was at No. 22. It was presumed that the last two were wide receiver Brandin Cooks and safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. They were picked right in front of the Eagles, at No. 20 and 21, respectively.

The Eagles then traded back to No. 26 and took edge rusher Marcus Smith, who never panned out.

The Eagles have traded up in the first round in the last three drafts and four out of five. No doubt, Roseman has a list of players who would be worth trading up for if they were to fall within the Eagles' range.

Here, then, are six best-fit players for the Eagles, and whether the Eagles would have to trade up to get them:

JC Latham, OT, Alabama

The Eagles could be looking for a starter at right guard for this season, and an eventual replacement for right tackle Lane Johnson, who is signed through 2026. Latham, who's 6-foot-6, 342 pounds, could fit both bills.

Latham was a reserve at right guard as a freshman at Alabama before becoming a two-year starter at right tackle.

The Eagles tried that strategy last season with Tyler Steen, whom they drafted in the third round as a tackle before moving him to right guard, a position Steen had never played before. Steen struggled there in his one start.

It's possible that Latham can take over at guard and Steen could move to swing tackle. The Eagles might have to trade up ahead of Miami at No. 21 to get Latham.

Brian Thomas, WR, LSU

Why would the Eagles trade up for a wide receiver in the first round when they have A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith?

Look at it this way: The Eagles could view Thomas as a No. 3 receiver for now and a possible replacement for Brown in two years when Brown's salary cap hit goes up to $41 million, the last year of his contract. Thomas has size, speed and strength at 6-foot-3, 209 pounds after running a 4.33 in the 40.

The Eagles might have to get ahead of Cincinnati at No. 18 to get Thomas. If they do, Thomas will have time to develop into an elite playmaker while working in with Brown and Smith.

Terrion Arnold CB, Alabama

The Eagles haven't drafted a cornerback in the first round since 2002, but this is a deep class for corners. And with all of the QBs expected to go early, Arnold could fall out of the top 10.

For the Eagles to trade up, they would have to be convinced that Arnold is a cornerstone cornerback. That could also depend on how the Eagles feel about 2023 rookies Kelee Ringo and Eli Ricks, both of whom got plenty of playing time last season. Darius Slay, even at 33, is still one of the better corners in the NFL, while James Bradberry is coming off a disappointing season.

If the Eagles do trade up for Arnold, they could install him as a Day 1 starter and cut Bradberry with a post-June 1 designation. That would be the ideal situation. If they don't feel Arnold can be a Day 1 starter, then they could take a corner in Round 2.

Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

The same rationale applies to Mitchell, and it might be harder to get a gauge on his potential. Mitchell played in the MAC, far removed from the Power 5 conferences, and thus didn't face the same caliber of receiver as Arnold, for example.

Then again, the Eagles could have inside information on how Mitchell's size and speed (6-foot, 195 pounds and 4.33 speed in the 40) could translate to the NFL.

That's because head coach Nick Sirianni's college roommate at Mount Union is Toledo head coach Jason Candle. Toledo's defensive coordinator Vince Kehres is the son of legendary Mount Union coach Larry Kehres. So if the Eagles get the notion that Mitchell is worth trading up for, they might do it.

Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama

The Eagles don't necessarily need an edge rusher if they look at it like free agent Bryce Huff is the Haason Reddick replacement while Nolan Smith, whom the Eagles drafted No. 30 overall last year, will take a big leap after an uneven rookie season.

The Eagles also have Josh Sweat, who had 11 sacks in 2022 before falling to 6.5 last season, and Brandon Graham, who's back for a 15th season at age 36.

Then again, Huff, who had 10 sacks last season, has never had a full-time role, and the Eagles could be taking a risk counting on Smith. Still, it never hurts to add a top edge rusher like Turner if he falls into the Eagles range.

Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA

Roseman has said every year that he doesn't draft for need. So nothing would prevent Roseman from taking Latu, who many draft analysts say is more skilled all-around than Turner. The Eagles could thus use Latu to rush the passer, stop the run and drop into coverage.

If the Eagles see Latu as a difference-maker, they might not even have to trade up to get him. That's because Turner and Florida State's Jared Verse will likely get drafted before him.

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