And on this day of April 4, 2022, Howie Roseman strikes with another NFL Draft trade bombshell: The Eagles have added more draft capital for this season and for the future. Philadelphia has agreed to trade the 16th and 19th overall picks, along with a sixth-round pick (No. 194 overall) in the 2022 NFL Draft to New Orleans in exchange for five draft picks. From the Saints, the Eagles will receive:
• The 18th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft
• A third-round draft pick from New Orleans, the 101st overall selection in 2022
• A seventh-round pick from the Saints, the 237th overall selection in 2022
• A first-round pick from New Orleans in the 2023 NFL Draft
• A second-round pick from New Orleans in the 2024 NFL Draft
Roseman struck early with the NFL Draft still three-plus weeks away and the deal gives the Eagles plenty of flexibility for 2022 and in the years to come. The key here is flexibility, as the Eagles kept the first of their three first-round draft picks for 2022 (they still have two first-rounders, Nos. 15 and 18) and added a third-round pick (No. 101 overall) and a seventh-rounder (No. 237 overall) this season, plus they have a No. 1 pick from New Orleans in 2023 and a second-rounder from the Saints in 2024.
What Roseman does with those picks – keeps them, moves them this year, moves them in the future – is, of course, to be determined. But he has more ammunition at his disposal right now.
The immediate upshot of the deal is this: Philadelphia has picks 15 and 18 in the first round in a few weeks, their own second-round selection (No. 51 overall), and two third-round picks (Nos. 83 and 101) among the 10 selections on their current board. That's a lot to work with and now the Eagles have two first-round picks next season along with the extra second-round pick in 2024.
Rather than wait until NFL Draft weekend to start the trading process, Roseman made it happen now and is still at work. He has increased the team's long-term NFL Draft capital, given the team more flexibility with which to maneuver, and still, with two first-round draft picks in the middle of the opening night, has all kinds of options in the 2022 NFL Draft.
As Roseman did last year when the Eagles traded with Miami to swap first-round picks, the trading season has started early for Philadelphia. This is just the beginning of what's going to be an exciting NFL Draft weekend as the team builds on its draft capital and improves the roster for 2022 and beyond.
Philadelphia Eagles 2022 Draft Picks
First Round – No. 15 overall
First Round – No. 18 overall (*From New Orleans Trade)
Second Round – No. 51 overall
Third Round – No. 83 overall
Third Round – No. 101 overall (*From New Orleans Trade)
Fourth Round – No. 124 overall
Fifth Round – No. 154 overall
Fifth Round – No. 162 overall
Fifth Round – No. 166 overall
Seventh Round – No. 237 overall (*From New Orleans Trade)
