The Eagles have the No. 22 pick in the 2024 NFL draft. Here are 4 prospects they could target.

The Eagles enter the offseason with plenty of questions and the probability of changes.

In the NFL draft in April, the Birds have one first-round selection: No. 22. With several veterans toward the end of their careers or possibly retiring, the Eagles likely will look to rebuild a defense that finished 30th in scoring at just over 25 points a game.

Here are four players the Eagles could target with the No. 22 pick.

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Since 2013, the Eagles have drafted six tackles, including cornerstone right tackle Lane Johnson, an AP All-Pro this season. All six measured 6-foot-5 or taller and weighed over 300 pounds. Four (Andre Dillard, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Johnson, and Prince Tega Wanogho) had an arm length greater than 33 inches, according to the NFL combine.

With that in mind, Guyton, who has impressive athleticism for his size (6-7, 328), has successfully transitioned from tight end early in his college career to a tackle with first-round potential. Does that sound like another player on the Eagles?

In just two years as a full-time tackle for the Sooners, Guyton made 14 starts (five in 2022, nine in 2023), appearing in 20 games under the guidance of Bill Bedenbaugh, one of the top offensive line coaches at the collegiate level. Playing with outstanding balance and foot quickness, the redshirt junior is an active hand fighter in pass protection who works to keep his hands inside the frame of edge rushers.

While there is room to grow as a run blocker, working more cohesively on double teams, and maintaining his position against opposing defensive linemen, the future is bright for Guyton, who was the Senior Bowl’s top-rated tackle. Learning under Jeff Stoutland can give the Eagles a long-term answer behind Johnson, who is still playing at a high level but is entering the late stages of his career.

Offensive tackle is a premium position, and in the lone game Johnson missed this season, the lack of depth at the position was apparent.

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It has been over 20 years since the Eagles took a defensive back in Round 1. Lito Sheppard, in 2002, at 26th overall, was one of three defensive backs (Michael Lewis, Sheldon Brown) the Birds selected inside the top 60 that year.

Since Howie Roseman became the general manager in 2010, the Eagles have drafted just seven defensive backs in the first three rounds, the highest coming in 2010 (Nate Allen, 37th overall). The Eagles typically have traded for or added defensive backs through free agency, but with James Bradberry’s decline in play and Darius Slay’s health, the Birds should consider adding more youth at this premium defensive position.

With a deep class of defensive backs in the 2024 draft, Arnold has displayed his playmaking skills, with five interceptions and 12 pass breakups in 2023, and can play on an island in coverage. Arnold, a redshirt sophomore, has fluidity turning his hips in coverage and the closing speed to break on passes in the short and intermediate passing game.

While the future is bright for players like Kelee Ringo, the Eagles’ fourth-round selection last year, and undrafted free agent Eli Ricks, the Eagles need more ballhawks and playmakers in their secondary. Arnold offers those attributes, the ability to tackle in space when he is forced to in zone coverage, and is a willing participant defending the run.

Since drafting Brandon Graham in the first round in 2010, the Eagles have selected five edge rushers in the first three rounds over the last 12 drafts. Of those five players, just three were 250 pounds or heavier (Vinny Curry, Marcus Smith, Derek Barnett) while the other two (Jordan Hicks, Nolan Smith) were under 240 at the combine. Four of the five were 6-2 or taller; all five measured in with 32-inch arms or longer.

With Graham nearing the end of his playing career, the Eagles are in need of a multi-positional power rusher to complement the speed of Josh Sweat, Haason Reddick, and Smith. Enter Trice, listed at 6-4, 274, who has knock-back power behind his hands with a clear pass-rush plan every time he gets after the quarterback.

Whether it’s rushing as a stand-up edge player, rushing from the three-tech position (inside shade of the tackle), or from the 4i (directly in front of the tackle), Trice has the versatility and quickness to win from any spot across the defensive line. Over the last two seasons, Trice has accounted for 16 sacks, 23 ½ tackles for losses, and a forced fumble. According to Pro Football Focus, the Huskies’ senior pass rusher finished the 2023 season with a 16.4% win rate in pass-rushing situations, accounting for 76 quarterback pressures.

Two years of consistent tape, performances in marquee games, and a relatively clean injury history make Trice an enticing player to take near the end of the first round.

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The Eagles have a dynamic duo in A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, but the lack of a consistent third receiver is evidenced by bringing in Olamide Zaccheaus during free agency and Julio Jones during the season. Dallas Goedert even took a step back in his production this season, allowing teams to zero in on shutting down Smith and Brown.

Investing high draft capital in a wide receiver, a position the Birds selected in the first round in back-to-back years in 2020 and 2021, seems unwise considering the other holes on the roster. However, based on the Eagles’ first-round draft history, a pick in the trenches or at wide receiver is the most likely scenario.

Franklin, although slender in frame (6-3, 187), is an outstanding deep threat whom the Ducks primarily used as an outside receiver. According to PFF, just 94 of his 722 snaps came inside the numbers as a slot receiver, but his skill set should easily translate to any wide receiver spot. His ability to change route tempo, specifically on vertical routes and on fades, stands out. Seven of Franklin’s 14 receiving touchdowns in 2023 came on passes 20 yards or more.

The junior wideout finished every game except the Pac-12 title game against Washington with a catch of 30 yards or more. While he needs to clean up the concentration drops (nine in 2023), Franklin will be just 21 years old on draft day and could fit as a deep-threat playmaker the Eagles desperately crave.