Philadelphia Eagles: Regrading 2018’s draft class after three seasons
By Ben Swanger
After three years, it’s time to assess the Philadelphia Eagles 2018 draft class.
Back in 2018 the Philadelphia Eagles only made five draft picks, and as it stands right now, it might be Howie Roseman’s best performance in the NFL Draft.
Heading into that 2018 draft, the Eagles were lacking assets, owning only six picks. The reason the Eagles had so few picks is that those draft slots were traded away to land the likes of Jay Ajayi, Ronald Darby, and Carson Wentz.
Of course, the Eagles originally held the 32nd pick due to the franchise’s first Super Bowl and when it came time for Roseman to make the selection, he elected to trade back with the Baltimore Ravens. It was a deal that included the Eagles acquiring the 52nd pick, a 2019 second-round pick (J.J. Arcega-Whiteside), and a swap of 2018 4th round picks. That 32nd pick turned out to be 2019 league MVP, Lamar Jackson.
Come day two, the Eagles would orchestrate another trade to move up to draft tight end Dallas Goedert. Roseman gave up the Eagles’ fifth-round pick to move up three spots ahead of the Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots, who at the time were also believed to be interested in the tight end position.
Philadelphia would then go on to sit the third round out before making two selections in the fourth round. At 125 overall, Avonte Maddox would find his home in Philly and at 130 defensive end Josh Sweat, who was thought of as a project, was the selection. In rounds six and seven, the Eagles would go offensive line to select the likes of Matt Pryor and former rugby star Jordan Mailata.
Three notable undrafted rookies the Eagles signed in 2018 include cornerbacks Chandon Sullivan who started ten games this season for Green Bay, Ryan Neal a Seahawks corner who played in 13 games this season, and Josh Adams, the Birds top running back in 2018. Let’s begin our assessment in round two with the talented tight end.