NFL Draft Rumors: Philadelphia Eagles Looking To Trade Up, According to Adam Schefter

Philadelphia Eagles GM Howie Roseman talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine.

The Philadelphia Eagles have never been shy to try and get the player of their choice during the NFL Draft. It appears that 2024’s selection process will be no different.

Armed with No. 22 overall on Thursday and three draft selections within the first 64 overall picks, Philadelphia has plenty of ammo to move up or down in the process. With plenty of needs as well, it shouldn’t be a surprise that general manager Howie Roseman is already on the phone.

Adam Schefter Notes Eagles’ Interest in Trade-Up

ESPN’s Adam Schefter opened up the rumors notebook Monday morning with plenty of notes surrounding teams like the Minnesota Vikings, Los Angeles Chargers, and Washington Commanders.

The Eagles were also on Schefter’s top notebook rumor list.

According to him, Philadelphia is already looking to trade up in the first round on Thursday with their eyes set on one of the top cornerbacks in the draft.

“Per sources, he [Roseman] already has been calling around, gauging what a trade-up might look like to be prepared for what has become a near-annual tradition,” Schefter wrote. “It’s also worth noting Roseman, who has been Philly’s GM since 2010, has never drafted a corner, tight end, running back or safety in Round 1.”

The longtime NFL reporter cited the Eagles trading up in 2019 and in each of the previous three NFL Drafts as reason to believe the organization could do it again.

While Schefter did note that the organization hasn’t taken a cornerback in Round 1 since Roseman became general manager, it’s important to note that Philadelphia has signed a running back to a long-term deal this free agency, a safety to a long-term contract, and also paid a linebacker.

This might just be the offseason that the team bucks most of their trends entirely.

Who Could the Eagles Trade Up For?

It’s important to remember that Philadelphia currently has plenty of ammo to trade up for any particular spot in the first round. The only question would be exactly where the team feels safe to draft the best available defensive or offensive linemen available.

With nine of the first 10 selections all expected to be offensive players, it’s a safe bet that a trade into the teens would be needed for Philadelphia. That’s good because that means the Eagles would likely only have to part with their own first and one of their second-round picks this season.

Once a trade-up is complete (potentially), the remaining question is who could the Eagles be targeting? Let’s look at the most likely trade-up candidates.

Terrion Arnold

Terrion Arnold is the top-ranked cornerback on Pro Football Network Draft Analyst Ian Cummings’ big board and the 10th overall player in the class. According to Cummings, the Eagles would be getting a blue-chip prospect with a unique combination of coverage ability, support utility, and untapped upside.

“At just 21 years old, Arnold has a long prime ahead of him,” says Cummings. “And with a little more refinement, he can be a true impact starter who specializes in man but holds his own in zone. And he has the slot versatility and playmaking authority to be the central moving piece of a secondary.”

That was made abundantly clear during his NFL Scouting Combine workout in Indianapolis. The tape shows Arnold’s excellent footwork and strong closing speed to produce at a high level right away for a team.

The Eagles would need to trade up for Arnold, but he’s a plug-and-play standout.

Quinyon Mitchell

There hasn’t been a player who has helped his draft stock more than Quinyon Mitchell since the start of the pre-draft workouts. Mitchell excelled at Toledo but then was a key winner at the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine.

Reps won during those workouts show that Mitchell, despite playing at a small school, is more than talented enough to dominate at the NFL level.

Mitchell is the 16th-ranked player on Cummings’ big board, and in his scouting profile, he points to his physical profile and playmaking ability as the main reasons behind his appeal as a first-round prospect.

MORE: PFN Draft Analyst Has Eagles Taking EDGE in Round 1

At the very least, the Eagles could trade up to be in position to take Mitchell and then immediately play him opposite Darius Slay. He’s too good not to play right away at the NFL level.

Cooper DeJean

Cooper DeJean has been called the Swiss Army Knife by many defensive scouts in this class. A three-sport athlete growing up, DeJean has reps with the Iowa Hawkeyes at safety, in the slot, and outside cornerback.

DeJean has been such a popular pick to the Eagles for many people simply because of that versatility.

“There’s an outcome where DeJean splits time between the boundary, the slot, and field safety at the NFL level,” says Cummings. “Ultimately, he’s an extremely role-versatile player based on the game script. And in a role that plays to his strengths on a situational basis, he has impact starter potential.”

With so many teams in the teens looking for secondary help, Philadelphia could look to move up to acquire the Iowa star.

Troy Fautanu

Cummings has Troy Fautanu ranked as the fourth-best prospect on the offensive line and notes that he’s a safe pick due to his experience and versatility.

“As one might expect from an older prospect, he has an incredibly high floor and also has the athleticism and flexibility to buoy an impact starter ceiling in the NFL,” says Cummings. “At either tackle or guard, Fautanu can be a difference-making presence early and often.”

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Roseman places an extremely high emphasis on using premium draft capital on the offensive line, and Fautanu could compete with 2023 third-round pick Tyler Steen to start at right guard while providing depth at the tackle positions behind Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson.

Miss football? The 2024 NFL Draft is almost here, boss. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s all-new Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls — lone wolf or with your friends!