History repeats itself as the Philadelphia Eagles pass on Kyle Hamilton

12 years ago, the Philadelphia Eagles traded up during the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft to the 13th-overall selection. Many thought, when they did so, the decision was made to allow themselves the opportunity to take Earl Thomas, an all-star safety out of Texas. They elected instead to go with a defensive lineman. That young man’s name was Brandon Graham.

Thomas got off to the faster start and, in all likelihood, will find his way to Canton, Ohio, but even though it may have taken longer for the light bulb to come on with B.G., his selection worked out pretty well for the Birds. We’re talking about the author of the greatest strip-sack in Super Bowl history.

Graham’s career continues as he’s set to begin year 13. Earl Thomas, though still technically a free agent at the time of this story being written and published, hasn’t played for anyone since a one-and-done campaign with the Baltimore Ravens.

Meanwhile, history seems to have repeated itself in the City of Brotherly Love.

The Eagles ignore the draft’s best safety again 12 years after ignoring Thomas.

The first night of the 2022 NFL Draft was a lively one for Eagles Nation. The Birds’ brass threw some haymakers.

They traded the second of their two first-round picks, along with a Day 2 selection to the Tennessee Titans to acquire A.J. Brown, who was immediately signed to a four-year, $100 million deal.

Their first selection played out much like their first in 2010. As they did 12 years ago, they traded up to the 13th-overall selection and ignored the draft’s best safety prospect to go with a defensive lineman, Jordan Davis, formerly of the Georgia Bulldogs.

How many of you were thinking the Birds might have a shot at landing Kyle Hamilton as the first round wore on though? Perhaps those of us who thought that there might be a chance of seeing that happen were ignoring Philly’s nature to some extent.

We know the Eagles like to build from the defensive line out. Meanwhile, they’ve only taken three defensive backs during the first round in their history: Roynell Young (1980), Ben Smith (1990), and Lito Sheppard (2002). Ironically, Hamilton went to the Baltimore Ravens one spot after Philly landed Davis

The former Georgia Bulldog is a Howie Roseman-esque selection. No one should be surprised that he’s the guy Philadelphia wound up with.

Will they eventually regret passing on Hamilton? They may not. Jordan Davis figures to contribute faster than Graham did. There’s still an issue in Philadelphia though.

Who in the heck is going to play the safety position? Maybe they can get somebody in the mid to late rounds. Maybe they have Tyrann Mathieu in their back pocket. Whatever the plan, they’ve given us much to talk about between now and the beginning of spring and summer camps.