Another Eagles Pre-Draft Visit Being Canceled Raises Questions
As the 2024 NFL Draft nears, Philadelphia Eagles fans were left disappointed last week when Northern Iowa defensive lineman Khristian Boyd turned down a pre-draft visit with the team. Those sorts of things happen, though, so sometimes it's best not to look too much into it.
Unfortunately, Boyd's rejection might not be a one-off situation. Eagles insider Andrew DiCecco's latest report indicates a potentially alarming trend as USC wide receiver Brenden Rice will no longer be meeting with Philadelphia this week.
Brenden Rice is no longer scheduled to visit the #Eagles, per source. Visit was originally scheduled for later this week.
— Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) April 9, 2024
Eagles News: Brenden Rice Cancels Pre-Draft Visit
It's going to be interesting to see if more prospects cancel pre-draft visits with the Eagles. Is it just a coincidence that both Boyd and Rice weren't interested in meeting with management? Or is it a sign that prospects just aren't that keen to join Philadelphia?
Or, perhaps, the WR prospect's family had something to do with it. After all, Rice is the son of Hall-of-Fame wideout Jerry, who's arguably the best to ever play his position. The elder Rice spent the majority of his career with the rival San Francisco 49ers, so it wouldn't be surprising if he told his son not to associate with the Eagles out of pettiness.
Regardless, it isn't surprising that the Eagles wanted to meet with Rice in the first place.
The USC wideout — who'll likely be a Day 2 or 3 selection — is coming off a fantastic season that saw him turn 45 receptions into 791 yards and 12 touchdowns across 12 games with the Trojans. The 22-year-old playmaker received a second-team All-Pac-12 nod for his work.
That's the type of production the Eagles could use after their WR room (outside of A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith) left much to be desired. While Brown and Smith amassed 1,456 and 1,066 receiving yards, respectively, the next-best output was Olamide Zaccheaus with a total of 164.
Philadelphia did attempt to address the WR room by bringing in veterans Parris Campbell and DeVante Parker on one-year deals this offseason. Having said that, Parker's best days are likely behind him due to his injury-riddled past while Campbell is coming off the least efficient campaign of his career, leaving time to tell if either signing will pan out.
The Eagles need players who want to play for them, so let those who don't walk away. After all, Philadelphia needs the best locker room chemistry possible to hoist the Lombardi Trophy next February.
As it stands, the Eagles head into the 2024 NFL Draft with the ninth-best Super Bowl LIX odds, per FanDuel Sportsbook.
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