Fansided
Fansided

Philadelphia Eagles: 2022 NFL Draft picks and early look at needs

By Sayre Bedinger

Jul 29, 2021; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) throws the ball during training camp at NovaCare Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 29, 2021; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) throws the ball during training camp at NovaCare Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Philadelphia Eagles could have three first-round picks in the 2021 NFL Draft. What does their pick hoard look like and what are early needs?

The Philadelphia Eagles are heading into the 2021 season with expectations (at least from the outside looking in) of a near-total overhaul and rebuild. The Eagles sent both Doug Pederson and Carson Wentz packing in the 2021 offseason and enter training camp with Jalen Hurts as the projected QB1.

Hurts will have a familiar face to throw the ball to with 2020 Heisman Trophy winner De’Vonta Smith joining the Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver room which also includes 2020 first-round pick Jalen Reagor.

There has undoubtedly been a lot of turnover since the Philadelphia Eagles won the Super Bowl just a few years ago, and despite having one of the best-looking and deepest rosters in the league, the Eagles are now undoubtedly a team in transition.

This team, now led by new head coach Nick Sirianni, will be relying a lot on young players to step up and play big roles this coming season if they are going to compete in the NFC East.

The great news for Philadelphia Eagles fans in the 2021 season? If things go sour quickly, there are plenty of other rooting interests. Specifically, the Philadelphia Eagles will be hoping for a moderately successful season for the Indianapolis Colts and a horrible season from the Miami Dolphins.

The Eagles own the Dolphins’ first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft as well as the Colts’ first-round pick, but only if the Colts make the playoffs with Carson Wentz as the starting QB.

The selection they received from the Dolphins is not conditional.

Let’s take a look at the Philadelphia Eagles’ impressive hoard of 2022 NFL Draft capital on the whole.

  • 1st round
  • 1st round (from Dolphins)
  • 1st round (from Colts, conditional)
  • 2nd round
  • 3rd round
  • 4th round
  • 5th round
  • 5th round (from Washington)
  • 6th round
  • 7th round

Time will tell whether or not the Eagles will wind up with all three of those first-round picks. The selection from the Dolphins is a fascinating wild card because Miami did not play nearly as well last season with Tua Tagovailoa under center as they did with Ryan Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick is gone, and Xavien Howard could soon be gone as well. That would be a major shot to the Miami defense.

The Colts seem to have a really good chance of reaching the postseason with Carson Wentz at quarterback, but Eagles fans may have a bone to pick with that.

So what might the Eagles be using some of this primary real estate on in the 2022 NFL Draft?

Depending on how Hurts looks this season, QB will be at or near the top of the list. The Eagles also have significant needs even now off the edge and at the cornerback position.

The 2022 NFL Draft class features a fascinating defensive weapon in Notre Dame’s Kyle Hamilton who could also be a great fit for the Eagles.

The Eagles could also be looking at a need at left tackle depending on how former first-round pick Andre Dillard looks this year.

With three first-round picks (hopefully), there will be ample opportunity to address what could be the absolute cornerstone pieces of an NFL franchise these days: QB, OT, EDGE, and CB.

Home/NFL Draft