Eagles Offseason Needs NFL 2022: Free Agency and Draft Preview
The Eagles were so-so this year for the NFL season. I would say that they exceeded expectations as they made the playoffs and some thought they would be worse off than what they were. However, they have a lot of things to do before they can start really competing for the NFC East crown again. I will say, I think they are closer to the Cowboys than their other division rivals in the Giants and Washington. But, their cap situation is what will kill them for a while. While their cap situation is improving, it’s still a work in progress. The great thing about the Eagles offseason this year is the sweet, sweet, sweet (that’s 3 sweets) for the 3 1st round draft picks this year. They also could have an early 2nd rounder as well. This draft picks should help their cap situation for the time being while they keep trying to shed cap to get this team in high gear to address the Eagles offseason needs.
Eagles Free Agency
In free agency, I wouldn’t touch a lot of players, or big-name players I should say. While they do have a need at DE and S in a deeper free agency class at those positions, the goal here is to hit on some team-friendly deals. With currently only $20 million in cap space, overpaying and just putting yourself in a bad cap situation is just not ideal for this Eagles team at the moment. They really are in a shaky position to start contending in the NFC, much less with their NFC East leader in the Cowboys. They gotta play the turtle race and sign players that fill holes with team-friendly deals. Even if that means sacrificing the talent that goes with it.
Eagles Draft
Free agency might be a dud for the Eagles, but the NFL draft surely will not. This would be a great year for Eagles fans to go to the draft in Las Vegas with 3 1sts. The smart thing now is to hit on all of these picks, obviously. I will say I am a huge advocate for the Eagles trading down and getting more bang for their buck with the excess of 1st round picks that they have. However, that is totally at their discretion. With Darius Slay still on the Eagles, why not get a no-fly zone going and draft Derek Stingley Jr. with their first 1st rounder at 15? Well, okay Stingley shouldn’t be there. But, what about Ahmad Gardner? That is a possibility and it just sounds disgusting having them two together. With their 2nd 1st rounder being the VERY next pick at 16 (remember I don’t mind them trading down for more picks), the WR options could be spicy. Who do you like more? Garrett Wilson? Chris Olave? Treylon Burks? Other? I’m not sure, but as long as the Eagles don’t pull a Jalen Reagor here, picking a premier WR in the first round to pair up with Devonta Smith would be awesome. The first two picks off the board and you’re pairing up a no-fly zone and two talented WRs? The Eagles might be super fun to watch. With their 3rd 1st round pick at 19 (trade down an option still), I’d love for the Eagles to go LB here. If a guy like Nakobe Dean, Devin Lloyd, maybe even Christian Harris is still here, let’s take advantage of that and pick one of those guys. That would be a great start to their draft. Picking two skill positions with their first two picks and hopefully, their LB of the future with their last 1st rounder would be ideal.
Don’t worry guys, I haven’t forgotten the DE need the Eagles have. Especially since guys like Derek Barnett might look elsewhere in the offseason. That’s where this 2nd round pick comes in. The Eagles still get a decent DE here. Possibilities might include Drake Jackson or Nik Bonitto. Or maybe the Eagles keep adding to their secondary but at S with guys like Jaquan Brisker or Daxton Hill. That has to be one of the two options here in the 2nd round. Good value on these picks and keep filling those holes. If you’re not a Jalen Hurts believer, I don’t blame you. However, this is not the year to find his replacement. This QB class sucks so don’t come in here with that noise. I agree that Hurts is not the long-term answer, however, they might as well just roll with him until that answer comes. In the 3rd round. It’ll be harder to see who is still available for the Eagles. With Jason Kelce getting up there in age, he might not be there for the Eagles much longer if he doesn’t leave in free agency. I think a guy that could still be there for the Eagles in the 3rd is a guy like Alec Lindstrom or Jarrett Patterson. Maybe they go with another WR in a deeper class. I’m not sure, let’s just say the Eagles go with the best available guy that is on the board for them and call it a day.
They could have a very good offseason to help them contend soon by addressing the Eagles offseason needs. They have the picks to make a real step forward in the draft. The cap space might hold them back this year, but being smart with their money will eventually get them where they want to be. Maybe if they spend their money right and draft really well, they could put some scare into teams this year and almost contend for a playoff berth. Crazier things have happened. Be patient Eagles fans, you’ll be screaming “Go Birdssssssss” soon enough in the playoffs.
