Dream NFL Draft targets for Eagles to build an impenetrable defense around Jalen Carter

Johnny Newton, DT, Illinois

If Byron Murphy and Kris Jenkins have been selected by the time the Eagles are on the clock, which is a very real possibility, former Fighting Illini standout Johnny Newton is a nice consolation prize. From where we're sitting, he should be in everyone's top five of the best interior defensive linemen available. We rank him slightly ahead of Ohio State's Michael Hall Jr.

Newton stacked 52 tackles, 7.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and two passes batted in 2023; however. he's more of a pass rusher than a run defender. He gets moved around from time to time.

Quality coaching and a little more body mass could help cure that, which seems strange to say as Newton is six-foot-two and 295 pounds. If Philly is interested, he could be an option, but they may need to use one of their pair of second-round selections to land him.

Kamari Lassiter or Cam Hart (if one of the Alabama Crimson Tide cornerbacks isn't available

Kool-Aid McKinstry is turning heads in several Eagles discussion circles. He should. He's damn good, and if we're being honest (and, at the risk of sounding disrespectful), we honestly think his Tide teammate Terrion Arnold is slightly better.

Both will be gone after Round 1, and the Birds haven't taken a cornerback on the draft's opening night since Lito Sheppard was the choice in 2002. Taking a cornerback in Round 2 also hasn't happened often enough, but that would be a nice plan. We're going to throw two names out for the sake of discussion, Kamari Lassiter or Cam Hart.

Adding Lassiter would give the Eagles yet another UGA star. He's talented, possesses solid instincts, and smothers everyone who lines up across from him. Cam Hart's numbers at Notre Dame are indicative of how well he plays. They stand six-foot-tall and six-foot-two respectively. Both provide nice succession plans for Darius Slay and James Bradberry.

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