Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean (33) celebrates with teammates after returning an interception for a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images When last we saw the Philadelphia Eagles, they were humiliating Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs and then parading down Broad Street to celebrate their second Super Bowl victory in eight seasons.
While the Eagles are the current favorite to win Super Bowl LX — mark your Google calendars for Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California — they’re going to need to bolster their roster to live up to the oddsmakers’ expectations.
As you know, the NFL is a copycat league, so other teams have been busy pillaging the Eagles’ roster. Defensive end Josh Sweat, who racked up 2.5 sacks in Super Bowl 59, signed with Arizona. Inside linebacker Oren Burks signed with Cincinnati. Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson was swapped to Houston. Cornerback Darius Slay moved to Pittsburgh after being waived. That’s four defensive starters.
The Eagles have a knack for finding talented defenders — and that’s what we predict they’ll do Thursday night when the NFL Draft’s first round happens live from Lambeau Stadium in Green Bay.
Philadelphia owns the 32nd and final first-round pick, so the Eagles might not get to make their pick until after midnight. But when their turn comes, we’re saying they’ll jump on Boston College edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku. Not only is the 6-foot-3, 248-pounder prolific — he led the nation with 16.5 sacks — he grew up in Williamstown, New Jersey. That’s just 21 miles from Lincoln Financial Field.
Of course, the Eagles aren’t the only playoff team that needs to identify some immediate help in Thursday’s opening round. We’re going to take a stab at determining what other teams at the bottom of the draft will do.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: We have a hunch Andy Reid remembers that the Chiefs suffered six sacks in the Super Bowl and that Mahomes was harassed on most other dropbacks. Everyone says offensive tackles are going to go fast Thursday, so they might have to reach a little bit for Minnesota’s 6-6, 331-pound Aireontae Ersery.
Jan 18, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) runs with the ball during the second half against Houston Texans in a 2025 AFC divisional round game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images 30. Buffalo Bills: Josh Allen earned his huge payday, but his bigger slice of the salary-cap pie means the Bills really need to click on their first pick. We say the Bills need to look at their secondary. The Bills traded cornerback Kaiir Elam to Dallas. While they have brought back Dane Johnson (who played last year in Carolina), they traded CB Kaiir Elam to Dallas. If you noticed, Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston was a late add to the list of draftees who’ll be in Green Bay. We take that as a sign he’s going to the Bills.
29. Washington Commanders: This is where Shedeur Sanders will go. Just kidding. Making sure you’re comprehending the words and not merely mouthing them as you go. In reality, the Commanders need to boost their defensive line. Remember, two-time Pro Bowler Jonathan Allen moved to the Vikings — and he’s not the only departee on the D-line. Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen, a consensus All-American, will be the man here.
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell looks on at a timeout during the second half against Buffalo Bills at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. PHOTO USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES 28. Detroit Lions: It sounds weird because pass-rusher supreme Aidan Hutchinson should be good to go from Week 1, but the Lions could use help on the edge. For some reason, Georgia’s Mykel Williams will last all the way to 28, and Detroit will scoop him up. He doesn’t turn 21 until June 29, so he might need a little time to learn — and the Lions can afford that.
27. Baltimore Ravens: Lamar Jackson’s crew, which ranks No. 2 on the sportsbooks’ list of Super Bowl favorites, doesn’t have a blatant need. That means they can go in any direction and seek an impact guy for a specific role. Because they’re so close to a title, they’ll snag game-breaking wide receiver Luther Burden III. Yes, he has small hands, but electric speed and elusiveness.
26. Los Angeles Rams: Sometimes, you’ve got to think like a 12-year-old wearing headphones and stacking his Madden team. Yes, the Rams retain Puka Nacua. Yes, the Rams signed Davante Adams. But that’s not enough firepower for Matthew Stafford. To thank him for returning to L.A., we’re giving him another Matthew: Texas burner Matthew Golden. No, we don’t know why we believe this young man with the 4.29 40 time slid to this spot. Just trust.
