3 home-run NFL Draft prospects the Eagles could target by trading up

Everything has its natural progression. Days lead into nights. Leaves fall off the trees in one season. We freeze our tail feathers off in another. Football has its progression too. Every April, the Philadelphia Eagles prepare for an annual NFL Draft, and we prepare for the rumor mill.

We made it! We've conquered the Senior Bowl, NFL Scouting Combine, and pre-draft visits. That means it's 'Howie Roseman Season'. Reports surfaced on Monday that he's thinking of trading up in Round 1 which, in turn, begs the question... Who would the Birds take?

Philly's needs are known: depth along the O-line, edge rusher, defensive back, running back, linebacker. There's talent in this draft, and there will be several options if Howie does make a move. Night one could provide first-round fireworks.

Here are three prospects the Eagles could target by trading up in the first-round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

The Eagles, as of late, have concentrated their draft strategies around spending early capital on guys they have entertained for pre-draft visits. That's where we'll center our search,

Here are guys that make a lot of sense based on team needs, guys who would look great in Eagles jerseys.

Terrion Arnold, cornerback, Alabama

Philly used one of their pre-draft visits to sit with former Alabama Crimson Tide cornerback Terrion Arnold. Now, Philly, as mentioned earlier, is scheduled to make its first draft choice with the 22nd overall selection, so there would be no reason to entertain theories about the 2023 First-team All-American and First-team All-SEC nod unless... You see what we're thinking here, right?

Birds fans have spent much of the offseason thinking about Kool-Aid McKinstry and for good reason. He can ball, but his teammate, Arnold is, without question, the better of the two players. In the eyes of many, he's the best cornerback prospect in this draft not named Quinyon Mitchell, and some may even give him the nod as the top guy.

Philly had a love jones for Sauce Gardner in 2022 even though we knew there was no way they would land him. Might Arnold be the consolation prize? He's definitely going to be a star somewhere.

JC Latham, offensive tackle, Alabama

J.C. Latham played very well for Alabama in 2023. He possesses tremendous power that can cause all kinds of issues at the point of attack, but he isn't as agile as, say Jordan Mailata, so he makes more sense as an NFL right tackle and as a possible replacement down the line for Lane Johnson.

Like his potential mentor, Latham is a tremendous pass protector. He is also gifted as a run blocker and a better succession plan for the potential Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee than anyone the Eagles have on their current roster.

Philly would have to trade up to acquire him however as he is potentially a top-15 selection.

Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA

While most of us would eschew any theory that connects the Philadelphia Eagles with anything that would have had any contact with Chip Kelly, former UCLA Bruins star Laiatu Latu was worth the price of admission in 2023, totaling 49 tackles, 13 sacks, two interceptions, two passes batted and two forced fumbles in 2023.

Latu has been consistent, tallying another 10.5 sacks and three forced fumbles in 2022. Medical concerns have followed him this offseason, but he visited Philly during the pre-draft process. If they like what they saw during his physical, this could be a home-run addition on draft night.

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