Intriguing NFL Draft prospects with familial ties to the Eagles

We won't have to wait much longer now. At the time of this story's release, we're less than a week away from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell approaching the podium to announce the 2024 NFL Draft is underway. The Philadelphia Eagles are currently scheduled to make their first-round choice at 22. It figures to be a very busy weekend.

Philly is also the owner of three of the first 53 picks. If nothing changes between now and Thursday (or during the draft's three days), they will make eight selections in total.

No one knows what to expect, though every move they've made has precipitated our attempts to guess what is coming. That happens annually. That's never going to change.

We know their top needs. We don't know when they'll address them with those eight picks, but there's a ton of talent on the board. Some of it captures our attention for different reasons.

Three of the 2024 NFL Draft's top prospects share familial ties with current and former Eagles.

If we were to guess, we'd assume nepotism and family ties probably won't play a role in Philly's draft strategy. It didn't do so a few seasons ago with Asante Samuel Junior. It didn't when Tuli Tuipulotu (Marlon's brother) was one of the top draft prospects last season. It probably won't factor into analyzing the guys on this list.

All of the following defensive stars are intriguing prospects though, especially seeing as how all play positions of need. All are the owners of names that we recognize. We wouldn't mind if one of these guys were added but is that likely? We'll have to wait and see.

Jeremiah Trotter Jr., linebacker, Clemson

Jeremiah Trotter Jr. is the son of a franchise legend, and the six-foot, 230-pound 2022 Second-Team All-American (2022) earned First-Team All-ACC honors while wrapping up a nice collegiate career last season. He's viewed by many as a third-round talent which means Philly needs to reach in Round 2 or trade up to Round 3 to acquire him

Philly currently doesn't have a third-round selection if you're keeping score. Meanwhile, both scenarios seem rather unlikely.

'Junior Ax Man' stacked 87 tackles, 5.5 sacks, two interceptions, five pass breakups, and two forced fumbles in 2023. He was a good NCAA star, but some believe he has athletic limitations that will hinder him at the next level.

Jonah Elliss, EDGE,

If you want to hide a future NFL star, stash him in the Pac-12 on Utah's roster. Jonah Elliss is too good to ignore though.

He's one of this class's top dozen edge rushers though he's probably the ninth or tenth guy. That's okay. That means Philly can grab him later without exhausting early capital to do so.

He's the brother of former (Christian) and current (Noah) Eagles. He also stacked Consensus All-American honors and a First-Team All-Pac-12 nod in 2023.

T'Vondre Sweat, interior defensive lineman, Texas

T'Vondre Sweat is Josh Sweat's younger brother. He enters the NFL Draft highly decorated. He snagged Unanimous All-American and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2023. He also grabbed the Outland Trophy and a First-Team All-Big 12 nod.

Good luck moving this guy. Most of the Big 12 couldn't. He stands at six-foot-four, and he tips the scales at 362 pounds. Philly would certainly love that. So would new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. The only knocks here include questions about work ethic and consistency.

Sweat played well versus better competition last season (the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Oklahoma Sooners), but he struggled versus what should have been inferior opponents. Part of that could be attributable to being heavier than he was in years past.

At the Senior Bowl, he often flashed with size, power, and explosiveness, but again, questions were raised about his weight.

Stay tuned. It will be interesting to see how he is valued come draft time.

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