The Philadelphia Eagles head into the 2024 NFL Draft equipped with a plethora of picks following an active offseason of trades and compensatory selections. The question now looms: Can these new acquisitions help the team bounce back from last season’s dramatic downfall? To re-establish dominance in the NFC East, all attention is focused on the tactical moves of general manager Howie Roseman.

Will Roseman stick and pick an impact prospect, or will his draft-day shake-up mastery in Detroit see him package picks to move up for a potential cornerstone piece? Weighing the prospect fit of polarizing talents like Payton Wilson and examining the full scope of Philadelphia’s 2024 draft assets will be critical.

Philadelphia Eagles are stockpiling draft capital!

The Eagles have been incredibly active in acquiring draft capital for the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft. Through a series of trades and compensatory picks, they currently have 8 picks spread across the first six rounds.

In a savvy move in 2022, the Philadelphia Eagles orchestrated a significant trade with the New Orleans Saints, acquiring a valuable second-round pick (50th overall) for the 2024 draft. Another notable acquisition came via a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where they snagged a valuable fourth-round pick (120th overall) along with former first-round quarterback Kenny Pickett.

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Furthermore, the Eagles capitalized on losses in free agency last year, earning the maximum of four compensatory picks. Among these, a third-rounder stands out, likely in recognition of key departures such as defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and guard Isaac Seumalo.

With a solid arsenal that includes two second-round picks and three fifth-round picks, the Eagles quickly boast an enviable draft asset. This positions them to make significant contributions to the team’s future restructuring. Whether it’s leveraging their capital to move up or down in the draft or simply nabbing the best talent available, the Eagles’ front office, led by their bold GM, has a history of bold draft-day maneuvers.

With two selections within the first 53 picks, an area of focus could be replenishing the linebacking corps after the free agency additions of Devin White and Zack Baun on one-year deals. One intriguing option is North Carolina State’s Payton Wilson, an elite athlete with off-the-charts physical tools

Potential linebacker of the future?

While the Philadelphia Eagles updated their linebacker core through free agency, adding a top-tier talent like Payton Wilson could elevate the unit to even greater heights. Wilson, a fifth-year senior from NC State, stands out as the most athletically gifted linebacker in this year’s draft pool. Standing at an imposing 6’4″ and weighing 233 pounds, he turned heads at the combine with an eye-catching 4.43-second 40-yard dash, showcasing his exceptional speed.

He plays with unrelenting aggression and darts all over the field to make effective plays against both the run and pass. In coverage, his elite athleticism enables him to match strides with running backs and tackles without difficulty. When defending against the run, Wilson’s physicality shines through as he delivers bone-jarring hits to stop ball-carriers in their tracks.

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The main concern with Wilson is his lengthy injury history dating back to high school when he tore his ACL. Hamstring issues and a recurring shoulder problem that caused him to miss most of 2021 will give teams pause. However, Wilson has bounced back strongly each time without a drop-off in his elite play.

Drafting a talent like Wilson could offer the Philadelphia Eagles an immediate impact starter and a long-term building block in the heart of their defense. While White and Baun serve as stopgap veteran solutions, Wilson presents a younger, higher-upside option to become a cornerstone piece. With both White and Baun only signed to one-year deals, investing an early pick in Wilson makes sense for Philadelphia’s future at the critical linebacker position.

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