Who Will the Eagles Take at No. 32?
It might take a while to get to Pick #32 next Thursday once the NFL draft begins.
The Eagles just won the Super Bowl, and some days it’s still hard to believe until you watch highlights of the dagger for the 67th day in a row.
But that hasn’t stopped the Eagles from making moves before.
In the previous 3 drafts, the Eagles have made 19 trades during the three-day event.
From Round 1 trade-ups to acquire Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis, trades with division rivals to acquire future stars, to late-round pick swaps to acquire/obtain future capital.
Potential Trades Up
There’s plenty of talent in the 2025 draft that the Eagles could continue their trend of trading up with.
While Penn State stars Abdul Carter (EDGE) and Tyler Warren (TE) might be out of the question near the top of the draft.
Malaki Starks (S) and Colston Loveland (TE) are projected to be taken off the board just above the Eagles’ 32nd overall pick, while also suiting their biggest need.
Malaki Starks // S, UGA
After the C.J. Gardner-Johnson trade in March, safety became a massive need.
While Justin Simmons has been connected to the Eagles for two straight offseasons, acquiring a high-end talent early in the draft would address an area of concern on the Eagles’ roster, with a minimum of four years under contract.
Starks would be the Eagles’ 6th Georgia Bulldog drafted in the last 4 seasons. And picking up the 2024 Bulldogs leader in tackles(77), Starks also tallied 4 TFL, 1 INT, and 3 PBU in 14 games during his 3rd and final NCAA season.
If the Eagles are comfortable with giving Sydney Brown an expanded role in 2025, there are other options for the Eagles to explore
Colston Loveland // TE, MICH
The Eagles drafted Dallas Goedert in 2018, heading into Zach Ertz’s 6th season with the Eagles. Three and a half years later, Ertz was traded to the Cardinals.
Now heading into year 8 of Dallas Goedert’s tenure. It’s time to prepare for the future, or perhaps rip the band-aid off before it’s too late.
Colston racked up 582 yards, 56 receptions, and 5 TDs during his final year as a Wolverine.
Finally, providing the Eagles with consistent depth and a future to the TE position in the upcoming final year of Goedert’s contract.
Falling To The Right Spot
Donovan Ezeiruaku // EDGE, BC
PHOTO: Kirby Lee/Imagn Images
The Eagles had to replace both Josh Sweat and Brandon Graham this offseason with one-year contracts for Josh Uche and Azeez Ojulari to start. Long-term depth was once again an area of concern.
With the addition of Jalyx Hunt late in the 3rd round of the 2024 draft. The Eagles began their preparation for the future slowly.
Ezeiruaku’s stat line for his final year at Boston College included 16.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 80 tackles.
A potential monstrous addition to what has already been Philadelphia’s strength.
No Early OL Shopping
The Eagles made numerous visits and could begin their search for a Lane Johnson successor any year now.
But after multiple extensions, there has been no decline in play. The Eagles’ offensive line should be set in stone for (at least) a few more years.
Mekhi Becton was the perfect bridge year, providing Tyler Steen with an extra year of learning under Jeff Stoutland and filling in across the offensive line when necessary.
There’s just no pressing need for the Eagles (yet) to reach this high on an offensive lineman pick.
With 7 more picks in the 2025 draft, who else do you see the Eagles taking next week?
PHOTO: Kirby Lee/Imagn Images
Discover more from Philadelphia Sports Nation
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.