It is the time of year when the NFL Draft has each team scouring every detail of each prospect in hopes of elevating their franchise. The Philadelphia Eagles are no different as the franchise looks to build off their 9-8 record and a playoff appearance last season.

 

There are still plenty of questions surrounding this Eagles team. It is unclear if Jalen Hurts is the long-term solution at quarterback, and there is much to be desired with the team's defense. With a pair of first-round picks still in hand after a pre-draft trade, this is a draft the Eagles are expected to be active in and increase the ceiling of the franchise moving forward.

With the countdown to the draft continuing to wind down, here are three predictions for the Eagles' 2022 NFL Draft.

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Eagles predictions for 2022 NFL Draft

3. Eagles take LB in Round 1

Taking a linebacker in the first round is a cardinal sin from the Eagles' perspective. It has been 42 years since the franchise used a first-round pick on a linebacker, but this could change this year. Eagles GM Howie Roseman has continually devalued the position, making this a common weak spot in the Eagles' defense as a result. Finding a guy who could be the long-term solution at this position would be incredibly beneficial to the franchise moving forward.

For insight and predictions on the 2022 NFL Draft, listen below:

While Philly recently made news by signing Kyzir White and Haason Reddick in free agency, the linebacker group is still weak in terms of depth. With the 15th and 18th overall picks in hand, the Eagles may be a little more willing to look into this position and search for a long-term building block of the defense. Nakobe Dean and Devin Lloyd are two names to keep an eye on.

2. Philly passes on a QB

The jury may still be out on if Jalen Hurts is the long-term answer at quarterback, but the Eagles do not seem to be fond of the options in this year's QB class. Their recent trade with the Saints, which resulted in the Eagles adding an additional first-round pick next year rather than having three in this draft, may be an indication of this.

It seems much more likely that Philly's strategy will be to build the team up around  Jalen Hurts and give him a further chance to prove why he is the guy. Hurts threw for over 3,000 yards and had 16 touchdowns in his 15 games as a starter last season. He also rushed for over 750 yards, making him just the eighth quarterback in NFL history to reach these numbers.

There are no doubts about the leadership and intangibles the former second-round pick possesses, but if he can improve on his arm strength and help the offense take another leap this season, it would be very beneficial to his long-term future. It may not be a full “prove-it” year for Jalen Hurts, but expect the search for a quarterback to be much more serious next offseason if Hurts does not take advantage of the opportunity this season.

1. Eagles have defense-heavy draft

One of the best ways to make life easier on your young quarterback is to improve the defense. The Eagles could use improvements at several defensive positions such as cornerback, safety, edge, and linebacker. Philadelphia has a total of 10 draft picks in the draft, so expect them to prioritize most of these on the defensive end. These may not be looked at as big moves, but adding quality players across the defensive unit will help the team dramatically moving forward.

This will be an interesting draft for the Eagles after outplaying expectations last season. There are some necessary roster upgrades to make if this team is to continue to progress. Adding some young players to the defensive core will play a major role in this. You can count on GM Howie Roseman to be ready to make a splash if the opportunity presents itself, but it appears more likely this will be a draft where the Eagles sit back and allow the board to play out in front of them.