Eagles Add Three Defenders in Dane Brugler’s latest NFL mock draft

If we learned anything about the Philadelphia Eagles' epic collapse at the end of the 2023 season, its that they need help on the defensive side of the ball and should be able to address that with three picks in the first two rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft.

The Eagles will pick 22nd overall in Round 1 and own the Saints pick, No. 50 overall, and their own second-round pick, which is No. 53 overall.

In Dane Brugler’s latest mock draft for The Athletic, Philadelphia addresses the back end of their defense will all three selections.

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First up, Brugler has the Eagles landing Toledo defensive back Quinyon Mitchell at pick No. 22.

The MAC has produced several top-20 picks over the years (Khalil Mack, Ben Roethlisberger, Randy Moss). But the conference hasn’t had a top-25 cornerback since the ’70s. That might change in April with Mitchell, who is 6-foot-1, 200 pounds and will test in the 4.3s in the 40-yard dash.

The Eagles might need to replace James Bradberry, who still has two years remaining on his contract and a lot of dead money, but might still need to find a way to move on from the struggling veteran.

Next up, the Eagles need to find a linebacker and Brugler has them landing on at Pick No. 50, thanks to a 2022 trade with the Saints, adding Michigan's Junior Colson.

The Eagles must add more talent to their linebacker room — and in this scenario, there hasn’t been an off-ball linebacker drafted yet. With his play style and mentality, Colson would check a lot of boxes.

Colson would be a great addition, adding athleticism to the Eagles' defense and a linebacker that excels as a coverage linebacker with good speed.

Finally, at the third level of the defense, Brugler has the Eagles targeting USC safety Calen Bullock at pick No. 53.

All three Eagles picks have been back-seven defenders, and anyone who has watched that defense this season shouldn’t be surprised. Bullock is a true center-field safety. There are questions about his tackling, but he has outstanding range and budding instincts.

He had seven picks, and 8 pass breakups while appearing in 26 games with the Trojans. Having questions about tackling might not go over well with Eagles fans, but there is no question the Eagles need to find an upgrade at the position, especially with Sydney Brown likely out next season.

There is no question the Eagles need to add more talent and youth but have a bunch of picks in the first five rounds to do just that.