We are quickly approaching the halfway point of the NFL season. The Eagles are currently 3-6 and have a slim chance to make the playoffs this season. This team is young and is in the middle of a fun rebuild. Since we are around the halfway point, it is becoming clearer what areas of this team the Eagles should focus on during the 2022 NFL Draft.
With 3 picks in the first round, the Eagles have the opportunity to do one of two things. They can trade all 3 picks for the first overall pick and take the best player in the draft (we will talk about him later.) Or the Eagles can use all 3 picks and get some major studs in some areas that we have some massive holes or aging veterans.
If you are one of those people who think the Eagles will be trading all 3 first round picks for Deshaun Watson, Russell Wilson, or Aaron Rodgers, please stop reading this and go watch film on Jalen Hurts' insane leadership.
1. Kayvon Thibodeax DE Oregon
The best overall player in this draft by a landslide. This year's QB class is weak and no one really deserving of the #1 pick. Since there is no QB that should go first overall, this opens the door for Thibodeax. He is so quick off the edge and beats almost everyone. He is generational talent that would make a great addition to the Eagles defensive line. If Miami keeps losing and Detroit and Houston keep winning, he may fall into our laps.
2. Derek Stingley Jr CB LSU
Darius Slay on one side and Stingley on the other side? I see one of the best CB rooms in the NFL. In 2019, Stingley was the highest rated CB in the country. Oh yeah he was also a true freshman. He does have some injury concerns, but the risk is worth it. If healthy he is an instant star.
3. Evan Neal OL Alabama
If you have watched the Eagles at all in the last 2 years you probably saw the 500 offensive lineman combinations. The Eagles need to protect Jalen at all costs, and Neal is the best player in this draft to do so. Neal is a giant and athletic man. He can easily protect the blindside and give Jalen enough time in the pocket to make the throw. I have one word to describe Neal...BIG!
4. Tyler Linderbaum C Iowa
Same thing as Neal, the Eagles need offensive line help. Jason Kelce is not getting younger and he has been contemplating retirement for a few years now. Even though the Eagles drafted Landon Dickerson last year, he to has injury concerns. Dickerson has also been playing a lot of guard and that could be his new position going forward. Linderbaum is a better prospect than Dickerson and is going to be a star in this league.
5. Kyle Hamilton S Notre Dame
If Hamilton is on the board when the Eagles pick, Howie would be foolish to pass on him. He is a rare talent. He is an incredible safety, but he also can be thrown into the slot or linebacker and be just as productive. Anthony Harris is only one a 1 year deal, Hamilton can easily step in and be a day 1 starter.
6. Ahmad Gardner CB Cincinnati
My favorite thing about Gardner is his experience. His skills still have some room for improvement, but his experience make him such a valuable asset to a team. He has been lights out this year. Opposing receivers have only caught the ball 40% of the time the ball is thrown his way. He is not being talked about enough, but come April he will be a steal if the Eagles can get their hands on him,
7. Jahan Dotson WR Penn State
Why not go for 3 straight WR's in the first round for the Eagles? The WR position is still an area of concern even though DeVonta Smith looks like he may be a star one day. The Eagles will still need to add more WR's at some point. Dotson is the best receiver in this class. He is an exciting game changing player. He will light up the Linc every Sunday with his big plays.
8. Christian Harris LB Alabama
The Eagles still have a massive hole at LB. Howie will not draft him because he does not value the LB position. However, if he is going to acknowledge the LB position, Harris is the guy.
9. Kaiir Elam CB Florida
Elam has allowed 83 yards on 150 coverage snaps this season. Remember how bad Florida did against Georgia? Elam was the one highlight for the Gators. He did not allow a single completed pass the entire game. The fact he was able to shutdown the best team in the country, says something about the kind of player he is.
10. Aidan Hutchinson EDGE Michigan
There is no hiding that the Eagles love building from the trenches. The defensive line has been the the consistent highlight of the team for many years. Instead of waiting until all of our stars are gone to find new stars, why not retool rather than rebuild?
Well there you have it. These are the guys you should be keeping an eye on. All these players will be day 1 starters and make a huge impact. If you notice something, there is not one QB on this list. If you are one of those people who think the Eagles should move on from Jalen in this draft, please don't ever speak to me. There is not one QB in this draft that is better than Jalen Hurts. He is a proven a leader and the future of this franchise.
lmao Hurts will be a Hamilton Tiger-Cat soon, he sucks