We are just about two weeks away from the start of the 2022 NFL Draft, which is expected to be an exciting one for Howie Roseman and the Philadelphia Eagles.
Following their recent trade with the New Orleans Saints, the Eagles now have the following picks in the 2022 NFL Draft (Round, Pick No.):
1, No. 15 (from Miami)
1, No. 18 (from New Orleans)
2, No. 51
3, No. 83
3, No. 101 (from New Orleans)
4, No. 124
5, No. 154 (from Washington)
5, No. 162
5, No. 166 (from Arizona)
7, No. 237 (from New Orleans)
We asked our staff to send us their top three Eagles' wish list for their first-round picks and here is their responses.
Joe Giglio (@JoeGiglioSports)
Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
How quickly would David be an instant favorite in Philadelphia? My guess would be within the first month of his rookie year. The 340-pounder is more than a space eater. We're talking about a freak of nature. Jonathan Gannon's defense deployed some 3-4 looks, which could give Davis a chance to play nose tackle. If Davis reaches his ceiling, he could give the Eagles an ability to control the run game with less defenders in the box. That means more defensive backs, and more exotic looks to throw at opposing quarterbacks.
Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia
Wyatt is the lesser known Georgia defensive tackle, but might be an even better fit for Philly's front four. We're talking about an explosive interior defensive lineman that could eventually push for double-digit sacks in the NFL. Think of Wyatt as Fletcher Cox's eventual replacement on the front, and defensive tackle worth picking in the top 20.
Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
Let the ghosts of Sidney Jones go. Yes, McDuffie is another Washington Huskies star. But don't let his alma mater confuse us for a Jones 2.0. In a perfect world, I'd have Sauce Gardner or Derek Stingley on my list. But it's not a perfect world, and neither are likely to be on the board at No. 15 or truly worth a trade up. Some may consider McDuffie a huge drop off as the No. 3 corner in this class, but I don't. He's physical. He can cover. He's a Week 1 starter opposite Darius Slay. The Eagles haven't drafted a cornerback in the first round since Lito Shepard in 2002. That should change on April 28.
Ike Reese (@Ike58Reese)
1. Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
2. Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
3. Devon Lloyd, LB, Utah
With two first-round picks, my DREAM scenario is Stingley Jr. and Jameson Williams if they’re available at 15 and 18. The third player on my wish list, assuming the Eagles stay put, is Devon Lloyd. If the Eagles get two out of those three, they’d get an A+ from me.
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Jon Marks (@JonMarksMedia)
1. Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
A wide receiver in the 1st round for the third straight draft? Yup. Williams might have been the top receiver in this draft if it wasn't for his ACL tear in the National Championship game. He is said to be ahead of schedule in his recovery and could be ready for the start of the regular season. His size is similar to DeVonta Smith, but his speed is what separates the two. Williams doesn't have an official 40 time because of his injury, but most scouts agree that he would be in the low 4.4's.
2. Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
I don't think it's likely that Hamilton slips out of the top 10, but in the event that he does, the Eagles should pounce on Hamilton. His size and athleticism would instantly give the Eagles a young playmaker and intimidator on a defense that needs more physicality.
3. Tariq Woolen, CB, UTSA
Cornerback is an obvious need and in the likely event the top corners are off the board in the 1st round when the Eagles draft, Woolen would be an intriguing prospect, He is still very raw, having played corner for just two seasons, but his measurables are off the chart. 6'4", 205 lbs, and ran a 4.26 40-yard dash at the combine. He's going to need development, but if it all comes together, you are getting a rare combination of size and speed. The Eagles would be wise to draft Woolen if is still on the board when the Eagles draft in the second round.
Jon Ritchie (@RitchieJon)
1. Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia— 4.78 in the 40 yard dash at 6’6”, 341 pounds. I’ve never seen anything like that, measurables-wise. He’s like a school bus that wins drag races. This guy eats blockers with sheer mass alone, but he’s an elite athlete too. With the right coaching, Davis can dominate against the run and the pass. Howie Roseman wants to build from the inside out—this guy’s a mega-watt, super-sized building block with the right intangibles to boot.
2. Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah—Extreme production last season: 110 tackles, 22 tackles for loss (2nd in FBS), 8 sacks, 4 interceptions (2 returned for TDs), 6 pass breakups and a fumble recovery. Ran a “slow” 4.66 in the 40 at the combine, but watch the film and he’s got plenty of burst and sideline-to-sideline speed. I love that he’s significantly bigger than Nakobe Dean, at 6’3”, 240 pounds. Always aggressive, athletic and ferocious. He is exactly what this Eagles defense needs— a playmaker with major attitude who can line up at any of the LB positions or on the edge in pass rush situations.
3. Jermaine Johnson II, Edge, Florida State— ACC Defensive Player of the Year. Ideal size at 6’5”, 262 pounds to anchor against the run and also use those long arms to keep blockers away from his body. The 4.58 in the 40 at the combine was spectacular. 6th-most sacks in the country last year, but not just a pass rush specialist. Johnson will stuff you, pound you, set the edge with power and then run right by you when he jumps off the ball against the pass. His arsenal of moves needs polishing, but he’s versatile enough to play 3-4 OLB standing up or 4-3 DE with his hand on the ground. Has experience doing both at Georgia then FSU. Great fit as an every-down starter for a defense that will use both fronts.
Joe DeCamara (@JoeDeCamara)
While I am intrigued by the Eagles taking a wide receiver with one of their two first round picks, my sense is the Eagles should focus on beefing up their defense. Here are the three main players I would like to see the Eagles realistically target with their two first round picks:
1. Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
2. Travon Walker, DL, Georgia
3. Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
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James Seltzer (@JamesSeltzer)
1. Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia - I know the Eagles won't pick him, but they should. He is my favorite player in the draft and is absolutely going to have a great NFL career.
2. Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia - Dude is a stud. I'm not sure he's going to last to 15, but if he does the Eagles need to take him immediately.
3. Jermaine Johnson, Edge, Georgia - The Eagles need an elite edge rusher more than anything else in this draft. Johnson is that guy.
Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks)
1. Jamison Williams, WR, Alabama: The Eagles need to improve their passing game. Williams is the difference-making, down-the-field receiver they need opposite Devonta Smith.
2. Jermaine Johnson, EDGE, Florida State: Johnson has the ideal size and athleticism you want from an edge rusher. A trio of Johnson, Josh Sweat and Haason Reddick is a good foundation to rebuild the defensive line.
3 . Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia: Walker is unlikely to fall to the Eagles but if he gets past No. 10 they should make a move up for the versatile, elite defensive linemen prospect.
Glen Macnow (@RealGlenMacnow)
The Eagles already achieved something I was hoping they would do in the first round, which is trade one of the picks for future assets - putting them in better position to get a QB next off-season in case Jalen Hurts isn't as good as I hope he is. Wow, look at Howie Roseman going all Sam Hinkie on us.
Anyway, now that they're down to two picks, here are two players I'd love to see in midnight green (or Kelly green in 2023):
1. Jordan Davis, the 6-6, 350-pound defensive tackle from Georgia. I had the pleasure of bumping into him (almost literally) at the recent Maxwell Club dinner in Atlantic City, The guy is a house.
2. Chris Olave, the explosive wide receiver from Ohio State, Yeah, Roseman has been terrible at drafting wide receivers. This speedster would change that right away.
You want a third name? Okay, let's go with…
3. Georgia LB Nakobe Dean, who's a bit short (5-11) but tough and tenacious. Of course, the Eagles haven't drafted a linebacker in the first round since 1979, so I wouldn't bank on this one too much.
Tom Kelly (@TomKelly44)
1. Kyle Hamilton, Safety, Notre Dame - It’s unlikely the Eagles get their hands on Hamilton but if he drops into the back of the top 10 it would be worth it to make a big move up to get him. Hamilton is a dynamic playmaker who could anchor the Eagles secondary for years to come.
2. Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia - With Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave both on the final year of their contracts Defensive Tackle is a huge long term need for the Eagles. Davis is a massive body, disruptive up front and with the importance the Eagles place on that position a prime candidate to be selected with either of their 1st round picks.
3. Chris Olave, WR, Ohio St. - Olave was very productive at Ohio State and has the downfield speed the Eagles should be searching for at Wide Receiver. Olave’s skillset would compliment Devonta Smith very well, and contrary to Hamilton the Eagles could potentially move down a few spots and get him in the early 20’s while accumulating more draft capital.
Al Morganti (@nufced)
1. Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington,
2. Jordan David, DT, Georgia
3. Drake London, WR, USC
Jody McDonald (@jodymacman)
1. Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
2. George Pickens, WR, Georgia
3. Start with defense get best WR available in second round
My wish list is the same as the Eagles’ picks. Working in harmony!
Paul Jolovitz (@jollywipradio)
1. Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
2. Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
3. Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
They need to work on impact defensive players, and have other valuable picks to build around Jalen. Two other targets would be Treylin Burks and Tyler Linderbaum, but the top three are preferred.
Rickie Ricardo (@RR_RicardoFAN)
1. Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
2. Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
3. Jermaine Johnson, DE, Florida State
Moshe Kravitz (@MosheKravitz)
1. Jermaine Johnson, EDGE, Florida State
2. Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
3. Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
I'm holding out hope for an early QB run that pushes some of the top defensive talent down the board. Johnson seems like the most likely defensive end to fall out of the top 10 and I don't think he's that far back from the top guys. Davis could easily be the most dominant player in this draft, it's that simple. Hamilton is easily the best safety in this draft and an immediate NFL starter. This is an optimistic view of who will be available for the Eagles but they absolutely need to take the best defensive player available with both of their picks.
Francisco Rojas
1. Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
I personally wanted Drake London, but The Eagles would have to trade up to get him, and I don't think he's worth it. Especially when you have a receiver in Jameson Williams who had a monster season as a junior at Alabama (who I understand is coming off the ACL tear), but Philadelphia isn't in win-now mode so waiting for Williams would be worth the risk.
2. Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
The Eagles desperately need to develop their secondary. They were good against bad quarterbacks, but were horrendous against any quarterback that was even a bit above average. Stingley would make sense since experts are projecting Washington CB Trent McDuffie to be taken before the Birds would have a chance to grab him.
3. George Karlaftis, DE, Purdue
The Eagles were second to last in sacks last year. Yes, they signed Hasson Reddick, but Brandon Graham is 34 and coming off of a season where he missed 15 games due to a torn Achilles. An edge rusher needs to be at the top of the priority list for Howie Roseman.