The 2022 NFL Draft has officially kicked off, and the Philadelphia Eagles have made their first selection. As the seven rounds progress and the team makes all of their picks, we will provide a live draft grade and analysis for each of the Eagles’ selections. How do these new prospects fit with the roster, what kind of impact will they have on the team, and what do the team’s needs look like now that the draft is complete?
Make sure to continue to check back as the 2022 NFL Draft continues for live Philadelphia Eagles draft grades and analysis.
Philadelphia Eagles grades for 2022 NFL Draft
What are the Eagles‘ grades for their selections in the 2022 NFL Draft as they look to address their main needs this offseason?
Round 1, Pick 13: Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
The Eagles jumped up a couple of spots from 15th overall to make this trade, clearly eyeing a player that was sliding down the board. That player turned out to be Georgia defensive tackle Jordan Davis. Davis is a bit lower on my board, but I still love this pick because the Eagles need exactly this kind of player. And even with his flaws, he’s a rare physical talent.
Davis tested with unreal athleticism at the NFL Combine, logging a 4.78 40-yard dash, a 32” vertical, and a 10’3” broad jump at 6’6”, 341 pounds – yes, you read that right. Davis is an alien at nose tackle. Now, he needs to fix his pad level and improve his hand usage to maximize his pass-rushing potential. But already, with his size, strength, power, and burst, he can occupy blocks and free up other defenders, and he can wrench down blockers in the run game. In Jonathan Gannon’s scheme, which often employs 4-3 under and over looks, he’s a perfect fit.
Grade: A
Round 2, Pick 51: Cameron Jurgens, C, Nebraska
Getting bigger in the trenches in this draft, the Eagles selected Cameron Jurgens to anchor the middle of their offensive line. Jurgens, listed as our second-ranked center, seems like a reach. But Philadelphia secures the services of the draft class’ second-best player at the position, so it’s justifiable.
Jurgens is a large man with a great anchor and plenty of ability in both the run and pass game. What separates Jurgens is his balance through contact. He may play inside at guard while Jason Kelce is in the mix, but he’s the long-term answer to the center position in Philadelphia.
Grade: B-
Round 3, Pick 83: Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
Nakobe Dean was often mocked in the first round this past cycle. Now, in light of a newly revealed medical issue, he falls to the middle of Round 3. He goes to a great team, however – one he can make an impact for right away. The Eagles chose to gamble on Dean with the 83rd pick.
Dean’s medical issue is, of course, the most concerning issue here. Reports suggest that Dean chose not to get surgery for an injury, which is now generating questions. If his health proves to be a non-issue in the long run, this is a massive steal for Philadelphia. He’s a dense, explosive athlete with a relentless play style, and he has the instincts and communication ability to play the MIKE.
Grade: A
Round 6, Pick 181: Kyron Johnson, LB, Kansas
The Eagles traded up to select Kansas LB Kyron Johnson at the top of the sixth round. On the surface, no sixth-round pick is going to be glamorous. But Johnson does bring an intriguing skill set to the fold.
He’s only 6’0”, 231 pounds, but he’s an elite athlete with 4.4 speed and a 39” vertical. He’s supremely explosive, but he’s also extremely tenacious and heavy-handed for his size. At the Senior Bowl, he took EDGE reps and was disruptive against tackles far bigger than him. He’s a high-level speed-to-power converter, who translates perfectly as an on-ball SAM linebacker in Philadelphia’s 4-3 under fronts.
Grade: A+
Round 6, Pick 198: Grant Calcaterra, TE, SMU
The Eagles’ tight end room currently contains a former quarterback and a former wide receiver. It seems ludicrous to me that they haven’t added either a tight end or a receiver to this point. Nonetheless, the selection of Grant Calcaterra very much gives Jalen Hurts a pass-catching option at TE.
He’s an excellent route runner. He can sell double moves and use hand technique on release and above-average athleticism to create separation. Calcaterra has a natural pass-catching technique with impressive ball tracking and awareness. His biggest flaws lay with his medical history.
Grade: B+
What were the Eagles’ biggest needs entering the draft?
- CB, LB, S, WR, EDGE
It was a quiet free agency for the most part in Philadelphia, and their needs have remained largely static all offseason. On defense, they desperately need some depth at cornerback behind Darius Slay and Avonte Maddox. Equally, there is a lack of depth at safety, meaning both positions could potentially be addressed. There is also the opportunity to add a starting level player at linebacker that needs.
On offense, there is a seeming never-ending conundrum at wide receiver. Jalen Reagor and DeVonta Smith are back-to-back first-round picks that have had differing results so far. Beyond Smith, there is a lot of uncertainty when it comes to Philly’s receiving options for 2022 and beyond.