The 2022 NFL Draft is in the books and the Eagles made 5 total selections.  Let’s dive in and break down the selections from day 3.  If you missed the breakdowns of day 1 and day 2, be sure to check those out too.

Round 6 Picks 181 – LB Kyron Johnson, Kansas

Johnson entered the draft process relatively unknown, but he raised eyebrows at the Senior Bowl with some impressive pass rushes in Senior Bowl practice.  Johnson is undersized at 6’0″ 231 pounds and has short arms, but he is an explosive athlete.  He ran a 4.4 40 and had a 39.5 inch vertical with a 6.96 3 cone time.  The Eagles likely plan to use Haason Reddick as a LB/EDGE rusher hybrid this season.  They didn’t really have anyone who has a similar skill set on the roster so the Johnson pick makes sense from that perspective.  He should be able to contribute on special teams to stick on the roster and serve as Reddick’s primary backup.  

Grade: B

Who I would have selected: LB Darrian Beavers

Round 6 Pick 198 – TE Grant Calcaterra, SMU

Calcaterra started his career at Oklahoma before retiring from football after his junior season due to concussion issues.  During his brief retirement, he decided to pursue becoming a firefighter (yes, you read that right), before ultimately deciding to return to football at SMU during the 2021 season.  Calcaterra is small for a tight end but has top-end speed and reliable hands.  Additionally, he is a good route runner.  The Eagles ran 25% of their plays from 12 personnel (1 RB, 2 TE, 2 WRs) last year.  They attempted 125 passes with 2 TEs on the field but their #2 TE, Jack Stoll, only had 22 yards receiving.  Calcaterra should be able to provide a boost in that area.  However, he does struggle as a blocker with poor technique that is compounded by his size.  He will have to do a lot of work in that area to be able to provide value to such a run-heavy offense.

Grade: C

Who I would have selected: CB Josh Jobe, Alabama

Undrafted Free Agent Signings

The Eagles were very active in undrafted free agency, signing several big names.  I won’t mention everyone here, but I’ll give a few bullet points for the most notable names:

  • QB Carson Strong – In an alternate universe where Carson Strong didn’t have a shredded knee and was draft-eligible 5 years ago before the NFL started to move away from pure pocket passers, Strong could have found himself in the conversation for a round 1 pick.  He played in an air raid system in college and loves to rip the ball into tight windows.  He was #67 on my big board so signing him as a UDFA makes a ton of sense for the Eagles, who are always looking for backup QBs.
  • RB Kennedy Brooks – Kennedy Brooks has a shot to make the roster as RB4 if the Eagles decide to carry 4 running backs.  He doesn’t really have elite speed or any elite traits, but he is a solid player who has good vision and comes from a heavy zone running scheme in college.
  • CB Josh Jobe – Jobe is a player that made it inside my top 100 player rankings (#98 on my big board) and someone that I had down as a potential day 3 target.  His ideal scheme fit would be a cover 2 type of scheme which fits what the Eagles showed last season.
  • CB Mario Goodrich – Goodrich had a breakout year as a senior with 2 interceptions and 9 pass breakups.  He didn’t get a lot of snaps at Clemson, buried on the depth chart on a very talented defense.  He is small at 176 pounds and not particularly fast.  He should also fit well into a scheme that will protect him over the top with safety help.
  • WR Britain Covey – Covey is a tiny slot receiver.  He is a return specialist which may be his golden ticket to a roster spot.  The Eagles’ return game was notably horrific over the last 2 years.

Overall Thoughts on the Draft

The Eagles entered the draft with 10 picks and walked out with only 5 rookies after the trade up for Jordan Davis and the trade for, and subsequent extension of AJ Brown.  Jordan Davis figures to be an impact player in year 1 for the Eagles’ defensive front and frees the team up to move on from Fletcher Cox following the 2022 season (or during the season for the right offer).  While I initially did not like the Cam Jurgens pick, I have come around on it.  The team has long enjoyed a hall of fame level of play from Jason Kelce, and if Kelce says this guy is his successor I’m inclined to believe him.  The Nakobe Dean pick was obviously incredible value with major questions about medical red flags.  Those types of players have not worked out for the Eagles in recent history, but at pick 83 it was well worth the risk.  The Eagles seem to think that Dean will be ready to play this season, but that isn’t something I would rush. 

Even if Dean doesn’t play this season, the addition of Jordan Davis will be a major boost to the defense and the trade for AJ Brown will be a huge boost for the offense.  The fact that Howie Roseman was able to come away from the draft with those impact players without touching future draft capital is very impressive.  I have been as critical of Howie Roseman as anyone over the last several years, but he just had one of the best weeks of his career at the 2022 NFL Draft.

My Selections

  • 1×13 – S Kyle Hamilton
  • 2×51 – QB Malik Willis
  • 3×83 – LB Nakobe Dean
  • 6×181 – LB Darrian Beavers
  • 6×198 – CB Josh Jobe

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