The NFL Draft has been and gone and the Philadelphia Eagles are able to walk away with five new rookies and an all-pro wide receiver. Not bad. Hindsight is often 20/20, but did Howie Roseman knock this draft out of the park?
Jordan Davis
The Georgia product was considered the best defensive tackle in this class and for good reason. An athletic monster who can not only plug rushing lanes, but maul double teams for breakfast and burst through blocks, this pick was a dreamy one for Philadelphia.
Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave are both near their contract expiry and nobody aside from Milton Williams really provides scalable depth. Davis will give the Eagles a premier defensive line talent for five years, allowing them to focus key assets in other areas, using Davis and Williams as the defensive foundation. (CC A.J Brown)
Grade: A+
Cam Jurgens
This pick was originally one that was met with some confusion from Eagles fans, that was at least until Jason Kelce told Bleacher Report that he helped the Eagles handpick this selection, choosing his successor as someone that brings a similarly athletic skillset.
Could the Eagles have waited and picked up a name like Alec Lindstrom later on? Absolutely, but it’s hard to go against Jason Kelce here.
Grade: B–
Nakobe Dean
This grade is speculative. If this low-risk selection pays off, it’s an A++++++. If it fails, it’s probably a C. For now, it sits at a nice B purely based on the value of selecting a first-round caliber player in the third round.
He slipped down the draft order due to medical concerns, but the Eagles are adamant he’ll be ready for rookie minicamp. If that’s the case, it’s arguably the steal of the entire draft.
Grade: B
Kyron Johnson
Johnson comes out of Kansas as a linebacker, but it wouldn’t surprise me to move to EDGE very quickly. Another athletic monster, Johnson has explosive agility drills:
The hybrid player ran a 4.4-second 40-yard dash, which would have ranked second at the NFL combine among all EDGE rushers and linebackers. His vertical is 39.5, he has a 10″0′ broad jump, and a 6.98 three-cone time.
After bullying Evan Neal at the Senior Bowl, Johnson likely caught Roseman’s attention. If he does move to the EDGE position, it’s another need filled with a developmental prospect.
Grade: B
Grant Calcaterra
Calcaterra is friendly with Jalen Hurts due to an Oklahoma overlap and is a true receiving tight end. He provisionally retired from football due to concussion issues, but received medical clearance in 2020 and joined SMU to finish his collegiate career. He ended the 2021 season with 12 starts, 465 yards, and 4 touchdowns.
I actually really like this pick. Dallas Goedert only has guys like Jack Stoll and Tyree Jackson behind him. The more talent they can develop and the quicker they can do it, the better.
Grade: B
Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire
