Howie Roseman has built a reputation as one of the most assertive general managers in football, and the Philadelphia Eagles may want to strengthen that image early in the 2024 NFL Draft.
In recent years, Roseman and the Eagles have acquired All-Pro wide receiver A.J. Brown through a 2022 trade with the Tennessee Titans during the draft weekend. One year after trading up to pick wide receiver DeVonta Smith at No. 10 overall, and, just last season Philadelphia got running back D’Andre Swift in a draft weekend trade with the Detroit Lions.
There has been a lot of talk in the days leading up to the 2024 draft about Roseman possibly aiming to trade up in the first round. That's exactly what happens in Daniel Jeremiah’s final mock draft prediction.
Jeremiah forecasts that the Eagles will trade all the way up to No. 12 overall, from pick No. 22, in a deal with the Denver Broncos. To choose … an offensive tackle.
“It seems like everyone is assuming the Eagles will be aggressive to go get a cornerback,” Jeremiah writes for NFL.com. “Which is a need, but they always are willing to invest in big humans in the first round. Fuaga is a perfect fit. He can start at right guard as a rookie and eventually replace Lane Johnson at right tackle whenever the veteran decides to walk away. Philadelphia hasn’t drafted a cornerback in Round 1 since 2002 (Lito Sheppard).”
It is notable that Jeremiah was among the few analysts to predict the Houston Texans would trade back up to No. 3 overall to choose Will Anderson Jr., after selecting C.J. Stroud No. 2 overall, and spent three seasons in the Eagles’ front office as an area scout.
Choosing Fuaga after moving up would be a bit of a surprise, considering that the Eagles showed significant commitment to Jordan Mailata this offseason, and Johnson remains at the top of his game.
However, it would follow a pattern that has seen Philadelphia drafting Mailata with Jason Peters on the roster, tight end Dallas Goedert with Zach Ertz still playing at a high level, and Landon Dickerson with Jason Kelce still performing at an All-Pro level.
Whether Roseman trades up and picks a player like Fuaga, who might not play right away, instead of addressing a pressing need at a vulnerable position like cornerback, remains to be seen, but it's worth keeping an eye on.
Taliese Fuaga Scouting Report
In their philosophy, the Eagles firmly believe that the most important factor for long-term championship-level success is maintaining dominance along the line of scrimmage.
Trading up for Fuaga would be a long-term commitment to maintaining what has become the league’s most consistently dominant offensive line.
“Ultimately, Fuaga has the tape of a starting NFL offensive lineman,” Pro Football Focus writes. Whether that is at tackle or guard. He brings the powerful mentality needed to excel in the trenches.
“He has the adequate length and foot speed, good offensive line IQ and elite strength to succeed at tackle and get a shot there as a first-round pick.”
Fuaga is widely seen as one of the top offensive linemen in a talented tackle class. However, not everyone is convinced he’ll reach his high potential as an offensive tackle.
"I think he's a very skilled starting guard," a scout from the NFC told NFL Media. "If he stays at tackle, I believe he might need assistance against edge speed."
Why The Eagles Might Select an Offensive Tackle
It's clear that Mailata is the long-term answer for the Eagles at left tackle, but Johnson's playing days may be coming to an end.
During the Eagles' pre-draft press conference, Roseman suggested that planning ahead for the tackle position could be a priority for draft weekend.
"When you consider Lane Johnson, you're still talking about one of the top players in the league," Roseman informed reporters. "He's one of the best individuals and players in the league. We are incredibly fortunate to have him and the level at which he performs. And, honestly, I can't speak for the Coach, but I know from our conversations, we have confidence going into a game with him as our right tackle and as one of the team's captains. You never replace that, not in three years, not in five years. He's a once-in-a-generation player. We discussed the same thing with (Jason) Kelce, with [Fletcher Cox]; you can never replace those guys. They're irreplaceable.
"However, when you talk about the importance of positions, the offensive line has always been crucial to us. It's not just about the five guys; it's also about having depth up front. … It's an essential position for us, so we're not just evaluating where we are now, but also looking ahead."
