2024 NFL Draft Review: Predicting each NFC East team’s mid-round gem

While top 2024 NFL Draft selections like Jayden Daniels, Malik Nabers, and Quinyon Mitchell look to make their mark in the NFC East, players selected in the middle rounds will be looked upon to provide depth at key positions or even play bigger roles than expected.

As teams in the NFC East look to shape their 53-man roster, the performances of the rookie class will play a large part in the final roster breakdown.  Which mid-round picks have stood out so far?  Which selections have the making of a mid-round gem?

2024 NFL Draft selections who are making a name for themselves

Here is one rookie from the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders who have already turned heads through camp and the preseason and could step up and play bigger roles than expected.

Dallas Cowboys – Caelen Carson, DB, Wake Forest (Round 5– Selection No. 174)

The Cowboys used their fifth-round pick to add to the secondary with the selection of Caelen Carson with the No. 174 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.  With Stephon Gilmore officially moving on in free agency, the Cowboys have Trevon Diggs returning from a torn ACL, DaRon Bland and Jourdan Lewis leading the pack of cornerbacks. 

Can Carson be a steal in the draft?

A versatile, physical defender, Carson has stood out through training camp giving the Cowboys a chance at some depth at the position.  Although he racked up just three interceptions during his four-year career at Wake Forest, he is a defensive back who competes for the ball and can play in the box to defend the run. 

With health being a reason he slipped down to the fifth round, Carson has been healthy in camp and showing just how effective he can be.  After Diggs, Bland and Lewis, the 22-year-old rookie will have an opportunity to be one of the mid-round gems in the NFC East.

New York Giants – Theo Johnson, TE, Penn State (Round 4– Selection No. 107)

Malik Nabers will get all the hype as a rookie in 2024, but also look for the tight end out of Penn State selected with the No. 107 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.  The biggest winner of the Darren Waller retirement, Theo Johnson is a pass-catching tight end with great size who will be looked upon to fill that void at tight end.

At 6-foot-6, 259 pounds, Johnson is a capable pass-catching tight end who will impress with his route running ability.  Although he hasn’t shown much yet through two preseason games, his combination of speed and size will eventually flash in a Giants’ offense that will be looking for other playmakers to complement Nabers.  As an athletic Y tight end, expect Johnson to make plays as the season goes on, especially once he finds his niche in the offense and builds chemistry with Daniel Jones.

Philadelphia Eagles – Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB, Clemson (Round 5– Selection No. 155)

The Eagles have added some young talent in the 2024 NFL Draft including a familiar name.  Selected with the No. 155 overall pick in the draft, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., will need to live up to the name as his father, Jeremiah Trotter Sr. was a high performing linebacker for the Eagles for years.

As a mid-round pick, there won’t be a ton of pressure on Trotter Jr., but he does add some depth at the position and with the say he has performed through the summer should earn snaps in the rotation during the regular season.  Coming off a season at Clemson in which he racked up 88 total tackles with 5.5 sacks and 2 interceptions, Trotter Jr. is a versatile, athletic linebacker who Eagles defensive coordinator will have some fun with once he establishes his niche as an NFL linebacker.  Expect that to happen sooner rather than later in Philly. 

Watch out NFC East.

Washington Commanders – LB Jordan Magee (Round 5– Selection No. 139)

One of the goals for the Washington Commanders entering the 2024 NFL Draft was rebuilding their linebacker group.  Part of that was the selection of Temple linebacker Jordan Magree with the No. 139 overall selection in the draft.  As a three-year starter at Temple, Magee was a two-time team captain who not only led his team in tackles but contributed on special teams.

With the Commanders, Magee was having an impressive camp until he tore his meniscus during the team's first preseason game.  He was trending towards being a contributor in that linebacker group, which still may happen in 2024 at some point in the season.  Prior to the injury, Magee was impressive in learning behind veteran linebackers Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu.  Despite the setback, Magee’s versatility, speed and effectiveness as a blitzer should get him on the field once healthy and definitely a player for Commanders fans to look forward to in the future.