The Philadelphia Eagles had one of the better showings at the 2022 NFL Draft. Led by general manager Howie Roseman, the Eagles swung a blockbuster trade for Tennessee Titans wide receiver AJ Brown, using their other first-round pick to select Georgia defensive tackle Jordan Davis. The draft also came with another surprise, as Philly managed to snag fellow Bulldog and linebacker Nakobe Dean, a projected first or second rounder, in the third round. There's no doubt that Roseman had an excellent draft. But how did he really do? That's what we'll assess here. Without further ado, here are grades for every Eagles pick in the NFL Draft.
Philadelphia Eagles 2022 NFL Draft Grades
Round 1, Pick 13- DT Jordan Davis (Georgia)
Grade: A+
The first of Roseman's five selections in the draft, Georgia's Jordan Davis is a mammoth defensive lineman who stands 6 feet 6 inches and weighs in at 340 pounds. Davis is the best run-stopper in the draft, as he won the Chuck Bednarik Award, an honor annually presented to the best defensive player in college football.
Davis isn't a stat-sheet stuffer, though he doesn't need to be. The former Bulldogs star thrived at drawing double teams and pushing the pocket back on passing downs, two skills that will make an Eagles defensive line that already features the likes of Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave and Brandon Graham even more deadly. Not only did Roseman add to a position of strength, but he made the jobs of Philadelphia's defensive stars a whole lot easier.
Round 2, Pick 51- C Cam Jurgens (Nebraska)
Grade: B+
Stop me if you've heard this before, Eagles fans. Philadelphia selects a small-bodied, quick center after the first round, with the player turning into one of the better draft values in franchise history. That player would be All-Pro center Jason Kelce, who was picked in the sixth round back in 2011.
No one is saying Cam Jurgens will be the next Kelce, though the similarities are hard to deny. At 6 feet, 1 inch and 290 pounds, Jurgens is certainly on the small side for an offensive lineman, just like Kelce. The Nebraska product, who was a former tight end, was actually hand-picked by Kelce, who cited his athleticism and quickness, as two traits that would make him a fine successor at the position.
Round 3, Pick 83- LB Nakobe Dean (Georgia)
Grade: A
Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean fell into the third round, likely as a result of injury scares and concerns about his size. Dean, who is 5-11 and 225 pounds, dealt with pectoral and knee injuries that he dubbed “minor” issues. A first-team All-SEC and All-American, Dean was the leader of the Bulldogs' excellent defense, helping the school secure the national championship.
He is excellent in both coverage and run support, where his quickness and athleticism shine. Perhaps one of his best qualities is his leadership ability, as he is very vocal on the field, something that bodes well for the Eagles in their locker room. Given Dean's natural leadership qualities and his dynamic ability on the field, the Eagles got themselves a very talented ‘backer who should be an every-down starter when healthy. The best part is, they got him nearly two rounds after he was projected to be taken.
Round 6, Pick 181- LB Kyron Johnson (Kansas)
Grade: B-
This pick is a bit of a head-scratcher, considering the Eagles already solidified the linebacker spot in the third round with Dean. However, Johnson, who is similar in size, brings some much-needed speed to the position, given that he ran his 40-yard dash in an astounding 4.40 seconds. The Kansas product definitely serves as a sort of insurance policy for Dean, if the Georgia star isn't healthy. While there will definitely be concerns about his size at the linebacker spot, just like with Dean, Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon will be a fan of his versatility and speed, both in coverage and as a blitzer.
Round 6, Pick 198- TE Grant Calcaterra (SMU)
Grade: B-
With their final pick in the NFL Draft, the Eagles selected SMU tight end Grant Calcaterra. Calcaterra has an interesting story, as he retired from football after the 2019 season due to concussions, only to return to the game this past season. A speedy tight end who excels at route running, Calcaterra has the makings of a strong receiver at the tight end spot, potentially a good secondary option behind the well-balanced Dallas Goedert.
The only concern here is if Calcaterra's questionable run-blocking ability will limit his snap totals as a rookie in the Eagles' run-heavy offense. Fortunately, Philly won't need Calcaterra to be a full-time starter just yet. Given that there were no runaway tight end prospects, Calcaterra was worth taking a shot on in the sixth round.
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