Continuing our series on players that everyone should keep an eye on in each round of the 2022 NFL Draft, it’s time to take a look at round three.
The Eagles have had pretty good success in the third round in recent years. Davion Taylor has shown potential when healthy, Milton Williams looks like a future stud at defensive tackle, and even Jordan Hicks, Isaac Seumalo, and Rasul Douglas have carved out excellent careers.
It’s safe to assume the Eagles will find a strong roster fit in round three again. The Eagles have picks 83 and 101 in the upcoming third round. While many have predicted one or both could be moved as part of a trade-up, the Eagles are also in an excellent position to improve the roster within the first hours of day three. Let’s look at some of those top names to watch.
Quay Walker – LB, Georgia
Walker is overlooked amongst the plethora of top Georgia defensive players in this class, but he is immensely talented. Stout against the run, and a fast-ready at Linebacker, Walker could absolutely provide needed help behind TJ Edwards and pair nicely with Kyzir White.
As mentioned, Walker would be another project the Eagles would have to take in at the LB position, but with a plethora of young talent around him, it could lead to a longer leash down the road.
While many people can certainly see Walker going higher, with the emergence of other LB’s like Muma and Damone Clark, he can absolutely fall into round three.
James Cook – RB, Georgia
People may question how and why a player like James Cook can fall to round three, but with the NFL RB becoming less and less of a need, and top talents above him, it’s certainly foreseeable that the brother of Pro-Bowl RB, Dalvin Cook could be available in round three.
Why is it significant? With Miles Sanders in a contract year, the team needs more speed on offense and Cook is a fast, pass-catching running back.
Cook has excellent hands and superb vision that pairs really well for an offense looking for ways to manufacture points using speed. If Cook is available in round three with guys like Breece Hall and Kenneth Walker going ahead of him, the Eagles should rush to the podium on day three.
Nick Cross – Safety, Maryland
Kyle Hamilton, Jaquan Brisker and even Lewis Cine could be options for the Eagles. But the four-year starter out of Maryland could certainly help the team as a special teams and depth piece for a defense needing secondary help.
Cross runs a 4.34 40 time, and has the youth and adaptability to be molded into a strong player in a Gannon defense looking for speed and athleticism.
Cross isn’t the best safety prospect out there, but he certainly would be a fun piece to see in Midnight Green.
Tariq Woolen – CB – UTSA
Many people would again question the name being here. After a terrific combine and pro-day, many analysts can see the 6’4 prospect going as high as the second round.
That is far from a guarantee though. Woolen has all the intangibles to be an excellent corner in the NFL. With him JUST learning the corner position, it could give the Eagles or any team a chance to be able to mold him into a star.
Woolen can play in any scheme and would be a good fit. He has good speed, his height and physicality would also make him a match for physical teams as well. The UTSA product is another one where Philly would need to run to the table if he is available.
Calvin Austin III – WR, Memphis
If the Eagles don’t end up making a move in the first couple rounds, the top playmaker of the later rounds could fall to them at pick 83.
While Austin doesn’t have the overall size to go up against top corners, he makes up for it with electric speed and play-making ability. The Eagles have been in desperate need of a good returning on special teams and Austin could be perfect for that role.
He’s not the biggest. He’s not the strongest. But after an excellent combine and solid tape, Austin could be the steal of the draft with a creative play-caller.
