2020 NFL draftees the Eagles shouldn’t have ignored (besides Jefferson)

Justin Jefferson isn’t the only prospect the Eagles regret ignoring in 2022.

At this point, the story has been told so many times that it’s lost its punch. That is until you watch Jalen Reagor or Justin Jefferson play. You know what happened. There isn’t much of a reason to revisit, but just in case you’ve been living under a rock, here’s what happened. The Philadelphia Eagles, once upon a time in the 2020 NFL Draft, went with Jalen Reagor with the 21st-overall selection in Round 1.

In the process, they ignored Justin Jefferson, and he went to the Minnesota Vikings one spot later. If you do a quick search on Google, you can find clips of the Vikes’ brass laughing at Philly in their draft war room.

Jefferson promised that those who overlooked him would regret that decision, and he’s kept his word. Reagor battled some minor injuries in year one, but as both begin their third seasons at the professional level, Jalen has 28 regular-season games on his professional resume. He’s made 24 starts, and he’s hauled in 64 receptions resulting in 695 yards and three touchdowns. Jefferson eclipsed those numbers with his first season’s statistical totals.

Over the course of his first two seasons in Minneapolis, he’s racked up 196 receptions. That’s resulted in 3,016 receiving yards, 17 trips to the end zone, a spot on the Pro Football Writers of America’s All-Rookie Team, and two Pro Bowl nods. He’s also a two-time Second-team All-Pro.

Hindsight is always seen in 20/20 vision, but most of us knew that this is how things would work out when we saw Philadelphia’s decision, and now, every time we watch both players on game days, we experience a sick feeling in our stomachs (for two different reasons of course).

Looking back, even though they’d never admit this publicly, the Birds would probably hit the reset button if they could, and they’d probably do the same with a few of their other draft choices from the 2020 class if they could.

There are several names that we could bring up. Here are a few that stick out. Their addition to this Eagles franchise would have saved a few headaches. We begin with a couple of late-rounders.