Philadelphia Eagles: 2 Thoughts on potential roster changes for 2022
By Ryan Loftus
How do the Philadelphia Eagles use their draft picks wisely?
As mentioned, in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles have two first-round draft picks, with the potential to wind up with three. It is almost unheard of for a team to enter a draft with three first-round picks. It’s also rare for them to enter with two, as blockbuster trades are usually done using these high-value picks.
Should the Eagles draft three first-round caliber players, or should they invest in a superstar using their picks? This answer will become more definitive once the 2022 draft rolls around, but there are positives and negatives of each argument that can be explored before the 2021 season even begins.
The Eagles are in desperate need of a cornerback, and if they can wait a year, LSU cover man Derek Stingley Jr. could prove a lock for the Birds if they have a top-three pick (let’s hope they don’t). However, the quarterback position is also an interesting one for the Eagles right now, and drafting a top prospect at the position next season could seem appealing to Howie Roseman and the ‘quarterback factory’. The offensive line could also use a boost, and using a top-ten selection on an above-average prospect doesn’t seem too farfetched for the Eagles.
At least two players that may be worth first-round picks are linked to the Eagles at the moment, Xavien Howard and Deshaun Watson. The Dolphins cornerback could probably be obtained using later-round picks and players due to contract disputes causing trade rumors, but to acquire a player like Deshaun Watson, the Eagles will have to give up multiple high-value picks and maybe even a few young prospects.
Is a player like Watson worth the capital? The answer is unknown at this point, but it will become more clear as the season plays out.
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The key to the Philadelphia Eagles’ success is to try and adjust their roster to create a younger, healthier landscape. They can achieve this by assessing which veteran players are worth keeping, and which are better off elsewhere. They also need to wield the value of their draft picks wisely, and spend them on what will make the team contenders in a very important 2022 draft.