Saints, Eagles Complete Massive Trade Ahead Of 2022 NFL Draft

The New Orleans Saints and Philadelphia Eagles have made a massive trade ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft, featuring tons of pick movement.

With just over three weeks until the 2022 NFL Draft is set to kick off, we have our first big trade involving just draft selections. The Philadelphia Eagles and New Orleans Saints have agreed upon a pick swap which includes multiple first-round selections. The Eagles are sending picks 16, 19, and 194 in 2022 to the Saints for picks 18, 102, and 237 in 2022, and Philadelphia also receives a first in 2023 and a second round selection in 2024.

It’s a pretty interesting move on the surface, and it gets much more intriguing the deeper one dives. Philadelphia surprisingly made the postseason in 2021, but they are spreading out their draft capital over the next couple drafts. This gives them a potential backup plan in case Jalen Hurts doesn’t make a leap in 2022, and they’re still in position to get two impressive talents in this year’s draft.

If we peek into 2023, there is some impressive top talent at the skill positions. Pairing Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud with Jaxon Smith-Njigba would be phenomenal, especially with Devonta Smith in house already. If not, there are still picks to build around Hurts if he is the guy.

As for the Saints, they have some clear needs at wide receiver and offensive tackle after the departure of Terron Armstead. This gives them immediate ammo to move up into the top 10 if they so choose, but it also gets them in front of the Chargers, who have the same needs.

If they are a big fan of someone like Jameson Williams, who would be a perfect WR2 and deep threat in their offense, they could move up for him. If Charles Cross tumbles a little, they could pounce on that as well.

No matter what happens when the 2022 NFL Draft rolls around, the intrigue has begun with pick movement, and it’s likely that in this strange draft, more movement dominates the headlines.