NFL Insider Adam Caplan Has the Eagles Selecting Haason Reddick’s Replacement in Latest Mock Draft

UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Laiatu Latu (15) before the game against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium.

While the Philadelphia Eagles have addressed many of the team’s biggest needs in free agency this offseason, a few questions remain at certain positions heading into the 2024 NFL Draft.

After selecting at No. 13 or higher in each of the last three drafts, Philadelphia is currently projected to select with the No. 22 pick in the first round of this year’s draft. Although, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has shown the willingness to trade up in recent years.

NFL Insider Adam Caplan Has Eagles Drafting EDGE Laiatu Latu

With the No. 22 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, NFL insider Adam Caplan has Philadelphia selecting UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu in his latest mock draft.

After projecting that the Eagles would select cornerbacks in his previous three mock drafts, Caplan has Philadelphia adding one of the top edge rushers in the 2024 NFL Draft. Latu is viewed by many as the best pass rusher in this year’s entire draft class.

While there is no denying Latu’s ability on the field, there is one major concern off the field. Latu was forced to medically retire in 2021 due to a neck injury suffered during spring practice in 2020.

Caplan mentioned that the reason Latu was available for the Eagles with the No. 22 pick in his latest mock draft is “because of uncertainty regarding whether he’ll be cleared medically by all 32 teams.”

According to multiple reports, Latu already had a 30 visit with the Eagles, which historically is a strong sign of interest in Philadelphia. The team’s doctors and training staff likely used that visit to take a closer look at Latu’s neck, as the team weighs potentially selecting him in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Caplan shared high praise for Latu in his latest mock draft. He stated that Latu is “known in scouting circles as one of the top edge rushers available for this NFL Draft, [and] also possesses quite possibly the best hand technique.”

Following the trade of Haason Reddick to the New York Jets, there is legitimate concern about Philadelphia’s future at edge rusher. Although the team signed Bryce Huff in free agency, he has yet to play a full-time starting role in the NFL.

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Josh Sweat and Brandon Graham are only under contract for one more season. While Nolan Smith is still unproven after barely playing during his rookie season. Therefore, it’s entirely fair for the Eagles to consider selecting an edge rusher with the No. 22 pick this year.

While many have doubts that Latu will last until the Eagles are on the clock in the first round, he certainly makes sense as a potential target. Roseman has shown the willingness to trade up in recent years, and Latu could be Philadelphia’s top target in a potential move.

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