NFL Draft Grades 2022: Re-grading the Eagles draft one year later
What a year it has been. The last time we were a little over two weeks from the start of the NFL Draft, we were asking ourselves a ton of questions. Among them were thoughts about whether or not this would be the year that we actually see the Philadelphia Eagles draft a linebacker in Round 1, whether or not Quay Walker, Nakobe Dean, or Devin Lloyd were the best of the bunch at the position, and who might be the choice if Philly went in another direction.
There were conversations about whether or not Jalen Hurts was the guy to lead this team into the future. Remember that? Fast forward, and everyone is pretty happy with where this team is, and for good reason.
After representing the National Football Conference in Super Bowl LVII, the Birds are set up nicely to keep the train running. They own six picks in the coming NFL Draft. That includes two selections in Round 1. The hope is the new draft class joins the most recent along with the veterans and a winning mixture is created.
The members of the 2022 draft class are no longer rookies. The hope is they’ll all excel in larger roles this season. Until then, let’s take a look at how they’ve done thus far.
After having almost 365 days to get to know the Eagles 2022 NFL Draft class, we re-grade five talented men that we’re excited about.
Jordan Davis – Round 1, Pick 13
If there was ever a pick that embodied the Howie Roseman business model of roster building, Jordan Davis‘ selection in Round 1 of the 2022 NFL Draft would be one for the time capsule. A six-foot-six, 341-pound interior defensive lineman, one that runs the 40-yard dash in 4.78 seconds, the Eagles organization has placed a ton of faith in the former Georgia Bulldog.
Philly traded their way into the 13th overall selection and selected Davis to keep him away from the Baltimore Ravens, they ignored a few prospects the media and fans had fallen in love with in the process: safety Kyle Hamilton, cornerback Trent McDuffie, defensive end Jermaine Johnson II, and the aforementioned Devin Lloyd among others.
Truthfully, the jury is still out on all of those guys. Statistically, in his first season, Jordan Davis didn’t produce a ton of fireworks. Playing in a reserve role is part of the reason why. He also missed four guys due to injury.
He’ll be asked to step into a larger role this season, but for now, there are positive signs. Philly stayed true to themselves. His coaches and teammates love him, so we’ll give him a passing grade while still allowing some room for improvement.
Grade: B+
Cam Jurgens – Round 2, Pick
Cam Jurgens, in his NFL Draft profile, was given a grade of 6.11, meaning he was seen as a good backup that could develop into a starter. He was given late-first-round grades by some scouts. Others state that Philly’s decision to take him at 51 slots him right about where he should have been selected.
He played 35 snaps during the 2022-2023 regular season and another 82 on special teams, so outside of what we saw during the preseason, there isn’t much of a sample size. Here’s what we can gather so far.
It isn’t fair to compare him to Jason Kelce, but we recognize Jurgens possesses fantastic athleticism. If the season started today, he’d probably start at right guard, and if we’re being honest, that doesn’t make us feel as though we need to worry.
Grade: B+
Nakobe Dean – Round 3, Pick
You know the Nakobe Dean story well. Invited to the draft as a presumed first-round selection, stories about a mysterious injury allowed him to fall to Round 3.
He walked into the NovaCare Complex behind T.J. Edwards and Kyzir White on the depth chart. He caused a stir among some fans with a six-tackle performance in Week 13 versus the Tennessee Titans, but that was dismissed because he saw action in garbage time.
As is the case with Davis and Jurgens, Dean will see increased action in 2023, but it’s hard to grade him based on what we’ve seen. It’s also unfair to penalize him because he has a small frame. It’s hard to argue against the theory that the Eagles got lucky by adding a guy with first-round grades in the middle of Round 3.
Grade: incomplete
Kyron Johnson – Round 6, Pick
Kyron Johnson gives us Davion Taylor and Patrick Johnson vibes. He’s a linebacker Philly added as the 2022 NFL Draft’s 181st overall selection because they like his athleticism. So far, he hasn’t shown us much that would talk us into theories that suggest he’ll be a part of this team’s plans long-term.
There are questions about his desire. Some whispers suggest he seemed as though he accepted his special teams role with an attitude that demonstrated that he believed doing so forced him to take a job that was beneath him.
Then again, that can be said about a lot of guys that played on that unit. And, you wonder why that unit looked so bad all season…
Let’s make long stories short. Kyron Johnson was the first of a pair of sixth-round choices. Still, from the outside looking in, the eyeball test says Christian Elliss is simply a better player, and the latter was an undrafted free agent who has already seen three locker rooms. This is his second stint with Philadelphia, but with proper coaching, they may have something with Elliss. We’ll see what Johnson does in year two.
Grade: D
Grant Calcaterra – Round 6, Pick
Had it not been for the concussion issues that forced him into early retirement, Grant Calcaterra may have stayed with Oklahoma, and he might have gone higher than the sixth round. That was;t his story though. Now, he just looks to make the most of an opportunity.
If the season started today. he’d be the third tight end on Philadelphia’s depth chart. He didn’t get a ton of burn last season. He caught five of nine targets while appearing in 15 regular-season games with two starts. Three of those five receptions resulted in first downs.
If he can translate some of what we saw at the collegiate level to the professional, he could be a nice reserve. Honestly, we believe in him.
Grade: C