Eagles 2024 NFL Draft class: Where every prospect needs to improve

It's time to turn the page from April to May. Hopefully, the 'showers' of last month will produce a few flowers. There's nothing like a stacked roster, and the Philadelphia Eagles certainly have one of those.

Think about it. Their 2024 draft class has been so intriguing to talk about that we haven't mentioned the added free agents as often. When was the last time we said anything about Bryce Huff?

Heck, when was the last time we talked in great detail about Jalen Hurts?

Howie Roseman is on a roll. His recent draft classes have produced Pro Bowlers like Landon Dickerson, some of the best players at their respective positions (DeVonta Smith), and of course. guys with enormous potential that we're still hoping pay off huge (Nakobe Dean/Nolan Smith).

We just can't stop discussing this new group though. Every prospect is loaded with boom-or-bust potential. We're about to learn a lot about how good this coaching staff is.

While every Eagles 2024 draftee has enormous potential, we must be patient as they're rookies with much to learn.

We spoke about the elite traits that will serve these guys and their new team well. Here's the other side of the coin, where everyone can stand to improve.

Cornerback Quinyon Mitchell - Round 1, Pick 22

Areas of opportunity: Route anticipation, positioning

There aren't many flaws in Quinyon Mitchell's game. That's why many NFL teams ranked him as the top corner on the board, but if we were to mention something, maybe we could talk about his anticipation... Maybe...

He's fast enough to keep up with anyone (or catch up with them in the rare instance that he's beaten). There are however moments where shiftier wideouts can lose him at the breakpoint and he can be forced out of position by guys with bigger bodies.

That's okay! He's young, and all of this can be cured with coaching.

Defensive Back Cooper DeJean - Round 2, Pick 40

Areas of opportunity: press coverage, fluidity

There's a lot to like about Cooper DeJean. He has already won over the Philly media. He was one of the top two defensive backs in this class. If he lives up to his billing, he will certainly be a rockstar.

There aren't many flaws in his game either. Here are few we can discuss though. He can at times be tight, but that was never exposed in college because of the competition he saw.

He can also be taught to find the football better on deep routes, but he doesn't always accelerate well after press when bigger receivers are the competition. Frankly, we don't know if that last skill can be taught or whether he'll just improve with more experience.

One thing is certain. He's smart enough to figure it out.

EDGE Jalyx Hunt - Round 3, Pick 94

Areas of opportunity: strength, block shedding

Jalyx Hunt is a six-foot-four, 252-pound edge defender from a small school. He has immense athletic talent, a mature approach to the game, and a high-motor when on the field.

His 'bend' is approaching the elite tier. He closes in a hurry. He can also struggle to work off blocks and stand his ground, and those will be more common occurrences versus NFL competition.

Running Back Will Shipley - Round 4, Pick 127

Areas of opportunity: minor issues with technique

Will Shipley was a three-sport star at the prep level that etched his name into the hearts of Clemson fans as an NCAA star. He accelerates well, and he makes cuts with the best of them.

While he sets up tacklers well. There are also minor issues with technique. He drops his head too often which can affect his vision at times.

While he's dangerous in space, he could stand to improve as in inside rusher. We also wonder about his ability as a pass protector. Both issues could disqualify him from being a three-down back early. Luckily, the Birds have a guy you may have heard of, newly-acquired Saquon Barkley.

Wide Receiver Ainias Smith - Round 5, Pick 152

Areas of opportunity: catch radius, separation

Ainias Smith can provide some early special teams boost and another option at punt returner. He knows the route stem, but Philly already employs A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.

Linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. - Round 5, Pick 155

Areas of opportunity: play recognition, block shedding

If Birds fans can somehow avoid the temptation to want to compare everything Jeremiah Trotter Jr. does to what his father did, they may realize Junior can turn out to be special.

Sure, it's going to be fun to see a familiar name on the back of the Number 54 jersey. It will be doubly so to see him swing his imaginary axe.

Trot isn't a finished product though. He struggles in pass coverage sometimes. He's a risk-taker, and that doesn't always work out in his favor. His football IQ is high, but he can be smothered by blockers.

Everything gets faster at the NFL level. What might this young man become? We aren't certain, but it will be fun to watch him develop.

Guard Trevor Keegan - Round 5, Pick 172

Areas of opportunity: footwork, pass protection

Trevor Keegan is put together at six-foot-five and 310 pounds, but his footwork can be average to below average at times. Here's what that looks like.

Seeing O-linemen travel to the second level on run plays is always fun to watch. That isn't the case, however, when they can't find guys to block when they get there.

Keegan a former captain at Michigan. We know greatness is in him, but pass protection will be more difficult for him at the professional level than it was during his days in the NCAA.

Wide Receiver Johnny Wilson - Round 6, Pick 185

Areas of opportunity: struggles versus press coverage, body control, route running

As big as Johnny Wilson is (six-foot-six, 231 pounds), he can struggle versus good press defenders at times. He'll need to fight off blocks better and explode out of his stance more consistently when he transitions over to become a professional.

Route running can improve, so can body control. If he masters those things, he can dominate on third-down and in the red zone.

As is the case with Ainias Smith, however, Wilson is staring up at A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith on the depth chart, so how many opportunities is he going to see realistically?

Offensive Lineman Dylan McMahon - Round 6, Pick 190

Areas of opportunity: technique, needs more mass

This is honestly, the 2024 draftee that we have the most questions about. That's to be expected. Sixth-rounders are often sixth-rounders for a reason.

That isn't to say he can't play. He's played both center and guard collegiately for the better part of four years, and you know Jeff Stoutland and Eagles coaches like O-linemen who are versatile.

He protects well and has great hands, but he sometimes struggles to open running lanes. He can stand to get stronger which should help him drive defenders better. We're confident in any guy, however, who has a scholarship to Stoutland University.