5 things we learned after the NFL Draft
The 2022 NFL Draft has come and gone, and for Philadelphia Eagles fans, the 2022 NFL season will be here before you know it. The Eagles were applauded for their weekend moves by many fans and analysts, and it is fair to say the Eagles were one of the biggest winners when the selections were finalized.
With that in mind, here are five things we learned about the Eagles after the 2022 NFL Draft.
5 . 2 0 2 2 is likely Jason Kelce’s final year
The No. 2 greatest draft pick in Philadelphia Eagles history, center Jason Kelce, will likely play his final season in 2022. There was some concern that Kelce would have retired after last year, but he is back for likely his last run as the Eagles’ center. The Eagles clearly feel the same way, as they drafted his potential replacement, Nebraska
center Cam Jurgens in the second round.
4 . Jalen Hurts is officially ‘the guy’ in 2 0 2 2 , but that will be his last chance
The Philadelphia Eagles had plenty of opportunities to draft a quarterback early in the 2022 NFL Draft, but they did not, showing they are committed to Jalen Hurts in 2022. Hurts has not shown that he is the franchise quarterback, so it would not have been crazy to see the Eagles draft a new signal-caller. Philly decided to surround Hurts with more weapons and bolster the offensive line to give him one more chance to show if he is “the guy” or not. In the best-case scenario, Hurts is the guy, but if he isn’t, the Eagles are loaded with future draft capital in 2023 and 2024 to make a move to get a new quarterback.
3 . A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith are the best complimentary wide receiver duo in the NFL
There is no doubt in my mind that A.J. Brown
and DeVonta Smith are the best complementary wide receiver duo in the NFL. Focus on my wording, as I said, “complementary.” I think there are better duo’s in the NFL just based on talent, but I do not think there is a better complementary duo. These two are polar opposites on the field, and they will be able to play the Batman and Robin role to perfection. Brown is the big-bodied, possession type receiver, and Smith is the smaller, quicker receiver that is a big play waiting to happen. It will be a lot of fun to watch these two work together on the field.
2. The Eagles’ defense will be much improved but still needs work
First, the Eagles drafted Georgia defensive tackle Jordan Davis. Then they drafted Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean. These two players will be Day 1 starters for the Eagles and will be able to make an immediate impact in their rookie seasons. Philly also added Haason Reddick this offseason, and those three pieces will help bolster the defense. However, the defense is still missing some pieces, and signing a player like Tyrann Mathieu could be the missing piece to having a complete defense.
1. Howie Roseman continues to build his case for the Hall of Fame
Whenever general manager
Howie Roseman is done, he will end his career in Canton, Ohio, in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Roseman has been a punching bag at times for Eagles fans, but without Roseman, there would be no Super Bowl. And without Roseman, there would not be this bright of a future. The Eagles were one of the most aggressive teams in the 2022 NFL Draft, and that aggressiveness paid off. Trading up for Davis, trading for Brown, and getting Dean in the third was only part of the greatness, as Roseman and the Eagles were able to keep their two first-round picks in 2023 and two second-round picks in 2024. They are set up to win now in 2022, but they also have a contingency plan for next season.
Roseman also traded Carson Wentz for the 16th overall pick, which he then essentially turned into A.J. Brown after a few moves with that pick. That move alone should have Roseman at the top of the Executive of the Year list in 2022.