The Philadelphia Eagles enter the 2022 NFL Draft with a host of team needs and two first-round picks to spend. While the Eagles have taken the patient approach to free agency, they’ve already added some notable talent to the fold. Still, big holes surround critical spots on the depth chart entering the selection process.
Philadelphia Eagles team needs in the 2022 NFL Draft
The Eagles signed linebackers Haason Reddick and Kyzir White during the first two weeks of free agency. They also added wideout Zach Pascal to the fold. While those three additions made the Eagles better, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the team address those positions again in the draft.
Along with the needs at wide receiver and linebacker, the Eagles desperately need to get younger on defense. After spending most of their top picks on offense over the past few years, it’s time for Philadelphia — namely GM Howie Roseman — to stack the deck on defense.
Below are the Eagles’ biggest needs entering this month’s NFL Draft.
Edge rusher
The Eagles brought back former first-round pick Derek Barnett earlier this offseason. However, he is expected to see a demotion in the lineup this year.
With Barnett rushing the passer behind starters Brandon Graham and Josh Sweat, the Eagles have a solid base at the position. However, Graham is likely entering his final season, and Barnett’s contract allows the Eagles to get out of it after one year.
Philly believes in building in the trenches, and they finished second-to-last in the league in sacks last season. Roseman knows the Eagles need a long-term solution opposite Sweat, and the front office will definitely address that hole during draft weekend.
Cornerback
While Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay is still playing at an elite level, the rest of the outside corner group lacks experience. Nickel cornerback Avonte Maddox has done a stellar job in the middle and should stay there for the rest of his career.
So, the Eagles might have to rely on the big group of second-year cornerbacks on their roster. The Eagles selected Zech McPhearson in the fourth round of last year’s draft, and he should get the first shot at partnering with Slay. That said, the Eagles have frequently discussed their admiration for Tay Gowan (acquired in the Zach Ertz trade), Mac McCain, and Kary Vincent (acquired in a trade-deadline deal).
Still, the Eagles can’t rest on the unknown, so adding a top-tier prospect to the mix would be the right move if they don’t want to land a veteran in free agency.
Safety
The Eagles re-signed starting safety Anthony Harris to a team-friendly one-year deal in free agency. While Harris had an up-and-down debut season in Philly last year, he is a favorite of defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon. Rodney McLeod is on the open market, so one of the two starting spots remains vacant.
The Eagles need to get younger at safety, and bringing in a Day 1 or 2 prospect to battle for the second starting job would be the right call for the defense. Marcus Epps has shown promise, but he’s at the point now where he needs to earn the starting gig.
Wide receiver
The Eagles traded up to select wideout DeVonta Smith with the 10th overall pick in last year’s draft. That decision worked wonders for the Eagles’ offense, as Smith proved to be a legitimate No. 1 wideout despite his well-publicized small frame. Outside of Smith and Quez Watkins, the Eagles’ optimism at wideout takes a nosedive.
Jalen Reagor and J.J. Arcega-Whiteside have been DOA since before Nick Sirianni inherited them last season, and Greg Ward is an upgradable player. The Eagles should spend a top-100 pick (they have five of them) on a wideout during draft weekend.
Linebacker
The addition of White takes some pressure off Roseman and Gannon at the LB position. That said, the Eagles shouldn’t just rest on the duo of White and T.J. Edwards, as young and promising as they are right now.
The Eagles haven’t selected an off-ball linebacker in the first round since 1979, and that streak isn’t likely to end this year. However, don’t be surprised if they nab a promising linebacker prospect on Day 2.