Mel Kiper’s NFL mock draft 2.0: Eagles take UCLA edge rusher in 1st round

While the Philadelphia Eagles have plenty of issues and needs on the defensive side of the ball, meaning they could go in a variety of ways to help sure up Vic Fangio's unit this offseason.

According to Mel Kiper’s latest mock released Wednesday, Philadelphia will look to the 2024 NFL Draft to had another playmaker in UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu at No. 22.

Get our free mobile app

It’s quite the change up from Kiper, who had the Eagles taking Oregon State Beavers offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga in the first round of the upcoming draft in his Mock Draft 1.0.

As for the Eagles, you watched the end of their season, right? Their pass rush really struggled. They got just one sack and 10 total tackles from 2023 first-round pick Nolan Smith. I still believe in Smith's talent, and adding Latu would give their front seven another toolsy edge rusher.

Latu has questions.

He medically retired from football due to a neck injury when he was at Washington in 2021, and needs to be cleared for teams to be able to draft him.  If he is cleared, he has been highly productive, racking up 112 pressures and 23.5 sacks the past two seasons for the Bruins.

Read More: Mel Kiper NFL Mock Draft 1.0

This is an interesting pick with the future of Haason Reddick in doubt, and that doubt wasn't cleared up on Tuesday by Howie Roseman or Nick Sirianni when asked about his future.

When asked if Roseman expected Reddick back in 2024 he was very vague with his answer.

"Well, I’d say this: Haason obviously [is] an unbelievable player for the Philadelphia Eagles," Roseman said. Local kid, great success story – Camden, Temple, Philly. Love having Haason. I think that anything you're trying to do, you're trying to blend obviously what you're trying to do this year and how you're going to look in the future. I think that's the hardest job. Certainly, [I] don't want to get into any specifics with any conversations with players, but [I] have tremendous respect for the player and the person."

Sirianni also didn't give much insight when he was asked the same question.

"Obviously, we'll see how that plays out," Sirianni said. I don't know how that will play out. Haason's been awesome for us these last two years. Big reason why we've been to the playoffs the last two years is the contributions of Haason. He's played really, really outstanding football.  We'll see how that plays out, and hopefully he's an Eagle."

If he is back, he is the unquestioned No. 1 option for Philadelphia's defense as a pass rusher, but the Eagles might need to add another outside threat this offseason, especially with Josh Sweat taking a step back, and Nolan Smith getting limited time in 2023.

So if the team takes an edge rusher like Latu, there could be a lot of reason why.  Either Reddick is traded or they don't have a lot of faith in Smith.