It’s hard to imagine the first day of the NFL Draft going any better for the Philadelphia Eagles. General manager Howie Roseman explored trade possibilities earlier in the week to move up in his front office’s hunt for a cornerback. Turns out, Roseman didn’t need to pick up the phone at all. Two of the top cornerbacks fell to No. 22 overall, and the Eagles chose Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell, the No. 11 overall player in the draft, according to The Athletic’s Dane Brugler.
Roseman and the Eagles then aggressively traded up in the second round to take Iowa’s Cooper DeJean, a versatile defensive back who is also productive as a return man. Philadelphia has addressed arguably its biggest weakness from last season by selecting two defensive backs with its first two picks.
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The Eagles, who were busy making trades on Day 2, also took edge rusher Jalyx Hunt out of Houston Christian in the third round.
They still must address their vacancy at right guard and could bolster their depth in spots like linebacker and wide receiver. The Eagles currently hold seven selections entering the final day of the draft. With that in mind, here’s a look at some players who could interest Philadelphia once things resume on Saturday.
Day 3
(The Eagles have three picks in the fourth round at Nos. 120, 123 and 132; three picks in the fifth round at Nos. 152, 171 and 172; one pick in the sixth round at No. 210 and no picks in the seventh round)
Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas: The Eagles don’t have many proven options behind starting tight end Dallas Goedert, and offensive coordinator Kellen Moore frequently deploys 12 personnel packages. Sanders lacks reliability as an in-line blocker, but his upside as a dynamic receiving threat (he had 12 catches of 20-plus yards in 2023) makes him an intriguing prospect.
Brenden Rice, WR, USC: The son of NFL Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice, the 6-2, 208-pound Brenden Rice caught 12 touchdown passes in his final season with the Trojans. Like his father, Rice is an efficient and skillful route runner, but he’ll need to improve his ability to separate from defenders.
Christian Mahogany, G, Boston College: The 6-3, 314-pound lineman missed the 2022 season after tearing his right ACL while at home in the offseason. He thrived in a gap-scheme run system, and, per Brugler, “plays like a bouncer outside of a club, looking to bash heads with power and forceful hands.”
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Xavier Thomas, Edge, Clemson: After battling injuries, COVID-19 and setbacks across six seasons, Thomas only managed to total 18 sacks in his career at Clemson. He’s another slender pass rusher (6-2, 244 pounds) who wins on speed and explosivity, but he’ll need to develop as a defender who can create separation once engaged with blockers.
Johnny Wilson, WR, Florida State: An Arizona State transfer, Wilson at last capitalized on a 6-6, 231-pound frame that helped him log 1,514 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in his final two seasons at Florida State. Brugler: “He doesn’t always play up to his frame and currently lacks consistent focus and route precision for what the NFL requires.”
Decamerion Richardson, CB, Mississippi State: Richardson is a physical defender who led all SEC cornerbacks in tackles in both his junior and senior seasons. Although he never recorded an interception in college, he led the Bulldogs with seven passes defended in 2023. That lack of big-play production is troubling, but Richardson possesses the frame (6-2, 188 pounds) and speed (4.34 40-yard dash) to suggest significant upside as a Day 3 option.
M.J. Devonshire, CB, Pitt: An Aliquippa, Pa., native, Devonshire was a two-year starter at Pittsburgh who played outside cornerback in a zone-heavy scheme. He spent his first two years at Kentucky, entered the transfer portal after the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, then totaled seven interceptions in his final two seasons with the Panthers.
Gottlieb Ayedze, G, Maryland: Ayedze, a transfer from Division II Frostburg State, draws comparisons to the Australian-born, rugby-playing Mailata. Ayedze was born in the United States before relocating with his parents to Togo when he was 5. When he was 15, he returned to live with his uncle in Maryland. Ayedze first began playing football as a senior in high school.
Ainias Smith, WR, Texas A&M: A five-year starter for the Aggies, Smith lined up on the outside, in the slot and in the backfield in offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino’s scheme. He led the team in receiving as a fifth-year senior and showed promise as a special teams asset with an 82-yard punt return touchdown.
Travis Glover Jr., OT, Georgia State: Glover offers versatility having played 35 games at left tackle, 18 at right tackle and four at left guard. Brugler: “Glover isn’t an explosive athlete, and achieving leverage will be a constant battle for him, but he also isn’t a slug and looks for ways to unleash his power in all areas. Given his experience at both tackle and guard, he can provide depth at multiple spots on a team’s depth chart.”
(Photo of Ja’Tavion Sanders: Ron Jenkins / Getty Images)
