NFL Mock Draft Roundup: Eagles take advantage of excellent CB depth at pick 22

The Philadelphia Eagles are back to the drawing board following an early exit in the Wild Card Round of the NFL Playoffs. General manager Howie Roseman wasted no time in making changes -- his first order of business was firing offensive coordinator Brian Johnson after the letdown season.

In the coming weeks, the Eagles could retool their coaching staff while beginning to draw up plans for free agency. In the meantime, NFL Draft analysts have taken the liberty of predicting what Philly will do with their 22nd overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Philadelphia's biggest needs were amplified throughout the 2023 season, and it's not hard to see where they could use an upgrade. The latest Eagles mock draft roundup showcases a common theme with the 22nd pick in the NFL Draft.

Eagles mock draft roundup: Experts eying cornerback early

Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State

Interestingly enough, Mel Kiper Jr. is the only NFL Draft analyst not on the same page this week when it comes to where the Eagles will be looking with their first-round selection. With Lane Johnson nearing retirement age, the ESPN analyst has Philadelphia going with offensive tackle, Taliese Fuaga. The Oregon State product has outstanding size (6'6'', 334 lbs) and projects as a starting right tackle in the NFL. Fuaga could take some time to get acclimated to the big leagues and learn behind one of the best right tackles in the league before he is eventually inserted into the lineup.

Bucky Brooks, NFL.com: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

The rest of the selections in the latest Eagles mock draft roundup follow a similar theme. The cornerback position was a huge area of concern for the Eagles in 2023. While Darius Slay was still a respectable option when healthy, the veteran CB is now 33 years old and in the final stages of his NFL career. Nate Wiggins is a long, gritty cornerback who would fit perfectly in Philadelphia's defense.

Luke Easterling, Sports Illustrated: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

The Eagles learned pretty quickly that you can't have a lack of speed in the secondary. Eli Ricks and James Bradberry graded out as two of the worst cornerbacks in football this year as they just don't have the speed and quickness to match opposing receivers stride for stride. You don't see many Toledo players being selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, but Quinyon Mitchell is an elite athlete who made the 'Freaks List'. He could give the Eagles a much-needed spark in the secondary.

Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

CBS Sports' Chris Trapasso follows suit as he has the Eagles going with cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry in Round 1. McKinstry was once projected to be one of the top selections in the 2024 NFL Draft, but the competition got a bit tighter during the 2023 college football season. He's now one of potentially as many as seven cornerbacks who could be selected in the first round this April.

Joe Broback, Pro Football Network: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson

Here's another vote for Nate Wiggins to the Philadelphia Eagles this April. Because of Wiggins' terrific blend of size, length, and upside, it's likely that he's already off the board prior to the 22nd overall pick, but this would be a slam-dunk selection for Philadelphia if he's still available. Wiggins could slot right in opposite of Darius Slay at cornerback.