The Philadelphia Eagles made a shrewd pre-draft move earlier this month, swapping out four first-round picks with the New Orleans Saints to set themselves for the foreseeable future. Now, the Eagles have two first-round picks this year and two first-round picks next year. While the 2023 NFL Draft is set up nicely for the Eagles, they still have a favorable outlook for this year’s first-round as well. Who amongst our projections should the Eagles target in the 2022 NFL Draft?
2022 NFL Draft Projections: Prospects the Eagles should target
The Eagles enter the first round with multiple holes in their defense. They also have a considerable need for an upgrade at wide receiver opposite DeVonta Smith. Plus, there stands a chance they could look at offensive linemen to continue to build in the trenches.
Below are five prospects the Eagles should target with the 15th and 18th overall picks in the first round.
Drake London, WR, USC
The Eagles have plenty of speed at wideout. If they are going to select a third consecutive first-round receiver, they should switch things up and target a big-bodied playmaker to complement Smith and Quez Watkins. Drake London — listed as 6-foot-4 and 219 pounds — would be an ideal tag-team partner for Smith, who is just 6-foot and 170 pounds.
London has exceptional strength and length at the position. He is built for bulk targets and could be an ideal possession receiver for QB Jalen Hurts. London, who turns 21 in July, produced 88 catches for 1,084 yards and 7 touchdowns last year.
George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
The Eagles finished second-to-last in sacks last season and badly need a long-term alpha at edge rusher. Brandon Graham is aging and coming off Achilles surgery, while former first-round pick Derek Barnett was brought back on a discount and in a demoted role. Josh Sweat has continually improved over the years, but he needs a long-term Batman to his Robin, as his strengths are best fit as a complementary edge rusher.
George Karlaftis is considered one of the best edge rushers in the class. He produced 14 sacks during his three years at Purdue and profiles similarly to a young Ryan Kerrigan, who played for the Eagles last season. The 6-foot-4, 266-pound edge rusher could come in and tandem with Sweat for the next several years.
Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
Derek Stingley Jr.‘s status has fluctuated throughout the year. While he’s considered one of the top talents in the draft, his inconsistency and injury history might push him into the late teens. Stingley, listed at 6-foot and 190 pounds, has ideal size for an NFL corner, and his upside is tremendous. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein has compared him to former NFL Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore.
Stingley would fit in nicely opposite Pro Bowl corner Darius Slay. Both players are big and long at the position, and they can make plays on the ball. Stingley has only played 10 games over the past two years, but he produced 6 interceptions in 15 games as a freshman.
Jermaine Johnson II, EDGE, Florida State
Jermaine Johnson II, a star of this year’s Senior Bowl, bounced around a bit during his college career. He started off at JUCO before transferring to Georgia and eventually landing with FSU last year. Johnson produced 17.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks during his 12 games in Tallahassee last year. He’s now seen as one of the biggest risers in the class.
Johnson would complement Sweat, a fellow FSU alum, on the strong side of the line. Like Graham, Johnson, listed as 6-foot-5 and 254 pounds, has a blend of power and burst that helps him defeat offensive tackles. Johnson would be a natural successor to Graham.
Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
While the Eagles still have Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave anchoring their defensive line, both are entering the final years of their respective contracts. The Eagles historically prioritize the trenches, and if Jordan Davis can make it to No. 15, he will probably be their target.
Davis is a massive man at 6-foot-6 and 341 pounds. He still ran an eye-opening 4.78-second 40-yard dash in Indianapolis. His 32-inch vertical and 10’3″ broad jump were equally impressive. Davis produced 7 sacks during his four-year college career and would be an excellent successor for Cox and complement to Hargrave and Milton Williams.
