I would like to preface this by saying, I can’t imagine the Eagles will actually use three first round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft. I would imagine they deal one (or more) away to a QB needy team to grab an extra second or third round pick in 2022, and push the first round selection(s) to 2023. Or, they trade multiple picks, including one or two of the three first rounders, to acquire an established QB. With that being stated, the needs and picks in this article will be based off what they have now, three first round picks.
The Eagles have many needs all over the defense, and unless they’re really in love with Kenny Pickett or Mailik Willis, having Hurts for another year is likely the best option. Acquiring an Edge, OL(C), LB, CB and or S with 3 of the first 4 picks would be a priority. DE Kayvon Thibodeaux and Aidan Hutchinson, S Kyle Hamilton, LB Nakobe Dean or Devin Lloyd and CB Kaiir Elam or Derek Stingley Jr are my top rated players to make that happen. I included QB in the article because anytime you draft this high you have to look at that position as a possible draft choice.
LB
Unfortunately the Eagles have rarely used a first round pick on a linebacker. The players currently projected to be first round picks are Utah’s Devin Lloyd , Alabama product Christian Harris and my current favorite, Nakobe Dean out of Georgia.
A few potential second round talents have emerged including Texas’ DeMarvion Overshown, Auburn’s Owen Pappoe , Brandon Smith out of Penn St and Florida’s Ventrell MIller.
OT
With an aging Center, and the Eagles seemingly wanting to keep Landon Dickerson as a LG next to Jordan Mailata on the end for the foreseeable future, they will be looking to draft another OL in the 2022 draft. And they should be.
Alabama Evan Neal, UCLA Sean Rhyan, Penn St Rasheed Walker, Miami (Fl) Zion Nelson Ohio ST, Nicholas Petit- Frere, Charles Cross Mississippi St, Abraham Lucas Washinton St, Tyler Linderbaum
S
The Eagles need to build a solid defensive backfield, Kyle Hamilton would do that immediately. If they don’t want to use a top 10 pick on a safety, below are some names to look into during the first 2 rounds.
Alabama Jordan Battle, Northwestern Brandon Joseph, Michigan’s Daxton Hill, Miami (FL) Bubba Bolden, Lewis Cine Georgia
QB
Whether you are a Jalen Hurts guy or not, anytime you draft as high in the first round as the Eagles will be doing, you have to look at QB. All of the ones below will potentially be drafted in the first 2 rounds, the Eagles would only be looking into the ones ranked in the top ten.
Matt Corral Miss, Malik Willis Liberty, Sam Howell UNC, Kenny Pickett Pitt, Carson Strong out of Vegas (Sadly, the name alone will turn half the fan base off) Desmond Ridder Cincinnati
Edge
Much like OL, the Eagles need and will be looking into an Edge rusher. Four or five of these will be selected in round one.
Drake Jackson USC, George Karlaftis Purdue, Kayvon Thibodeaux Oregon, Jordan Davis Georgia, Aidan Hutchinson Michigan, Myjai Sanders Cincinnati, Zach Harrison Ohio St, Kingsely Enagbare SC, and Brenton Cox Florida
CB
My favorite position, and the one the Eagles have seemingly most neglected with high draft capital. Luckily for them, 2022 will have four potential first rounders and absolutely need to use a first round selection on one of them.
Derek Stingley Jr LSU , Kaiir Elam Florida, Andrew Booth Jr Clemson , Ahmad Gardener Cincinnati , Trent McDuffie Washington, Mykael Wright Oregon, Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson TCU, Derion Kendrick Georgia, Josh Jobe Alabama
My very early first round list of 32 players(not in order) .
Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux
OT Evan Neal
S Kyle Hamilton
CB Derek Stingley Jr
WR Chris Olave
QB Malik Willis
Edge Aidan Hutchinson
S Brandon Joseph
DE David Ojabo
OT Sean Rhyan
Edge Myjai Sanders
OT Charles Cross
CB Ahmad Gardner
LB Nakobe Dean
QB Sam Howell
S Jordan Battle
OT Nicholas Petit-Frere
LB Devin Lloyd
OT Rasheed Walker
QB Kenny Pickett
CB Kaiir Elam
Edge George Karlaftis
Edge Drake Jackson
CB Andrew Booth Jr
S Daxton Hill
C Tyler Linderbaum
WR Garrett Wilson
DL DeMarvin Leal
LB Christian Harris
Edge Zach Harrison
CB Trent McDuffie
DT Jordan Davis
I am not a scout nor would ever claim to be. I mainly watch film of corners and wideouts, but I have become dedicated to watching a lot more since the Eagles have 3 potential first round picks in the 2022 draft. Outside of cornerbacks, spending the amount of time it takes watching all of the potential first rounders will be as far as I go until the offseason. I will always keep talking to coaches, scouts and watching tape and release a new list early next offseason.
My current favorite at each position are pictured.
Let me know what you think
Follow me @PHLEagleNews
David
Good list, some names I would add or comment on:
OL – Eagles immediate need is a G or C (Landon can play either) as I am assuming Kelce retires and Brooks has been injured, Seumalo will be a FA after next year. Linderbaum and Ekwonu are two really great options that will go high.
CB – IMO the Eagles have to come away with one of Stingley, Booth, Elam, McDuffie (I need to rewatch Gardner to get comfortable with him again). And I am a bit partial to VT but think Jermaine Waller is a bit underrated right now. I don’t see him as a top pick but he could be a R3 find given his size and ball skills.
S – I do like Lewis Cine a lot. I think a team could just draft from UGA this year and do well honestly.
LB – I also like Brandon Smith from PSU. And if the Eagles do grab Kyle Hamilton or somebody like Cine or Jordan Battle, they get a safety that can play up similar to Malcolm as each have played significant box snaps in college. But the Eagles have to come away with one LB IMO.
And WR is maybe unfortunately a need again. Reagor has the tools but has been disappointing this year. I could actually see the Eagles taking a WR again (not in the first) if there is an interesting player sitting there.
On QB, it will be interesting what happens. Howie most likely will try to get Wilson with his picks but if they don’t love Willis or Coral or Strong, I think it is highly likely Howie trades down to try to get a 2023 1st and kick the QB can down the road a year.
Great points! I am sure they will take a guard, but I can’t imagine doing so in the first round. With only 3 tackles on the roster, Lane, Dillard and Mailata. They have to be drafting one.
Driscoll Herbig Anderson Opeta Dickerson will have to hold those middle 3 for another season (unless a later round pick or trade works out)
I agree with you that Howie will try and trade for a QB first. Russell Wilson is the most logical choice. The Eagles tried to draft hi in 2012 when Reid was still here. Lurie and Howie love Wilson. They
selected Foles when Wilson went to Seahawks, but have tried twice trading for Russell since then