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Philadelphia Eagles NFL draft picks 2022: Analysis for every selection

PHILADELPHIA -- The 2022 NFL draft is over and every Philadelphia Eagles' draft pick is analyzed here.

Here's a pick-by-pick look at how each player Philadelphia selected will fit.

Analysis of every NFL pick | Eagles’ depth chart


Round 1, No. 13 overall: Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia

My take: The Eagles moved up to select Davis, the 6-foot-6, 340-pound anchor of Georgia's championship defense. Defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon has been seeking a pure nose tackle to serve as a menacing, block-occupying force in the middle of his hybrid scheme, and he gets his man. With Fletcher Cox potentially exiting Philadelphia after this season, this selection serves both short-term and long-term needs.

Rare measurables: Davis doesn't just bring size to the party. He set the combine abuzz by running a 4.78-40-yard dash, the fastest 40-time by a player 325 pounds or heavier at the NFL combine since at least 2006, according to ESPN Stats & Information. To put it in perspective, that is not much slower than quarterback Jalen Hurts, who ran a 4.59 40 at the 2020 combine. Asked for other athletic feats, Davis said he is a good basketball player and can do backflips into the pool.

But can he rush the passer? Davis had 32 tackles (five for loss) and two sacks in 14 games last season. He played only 38% of Georgia’s defensive snaps in 2021 and was mostly a two-down player, playing just 16% on third down. That created questions heading into the draft about whether Davis is just a run-stuffing tackle. The Eagles believe he can be an effective pass-rusher, and that a major reason he was taken off the field that much is because of the incredible talent on the Georgia roster.


Round 2, No. 56 overall: Cameron Jurgens, C, Nebraska

My take: The Eagles find their projected replacement for Jason Kelce. Jurgens, like Kelce, has above-average athleticism for the position. He played running back and linebacker in high school before stepping into the starting lineup for Nebraska on the line in 2019. At 6-foot-3, 303 pounds, he is a bit undersized for the position. That didn't stop Kelce, a five-time Pro Bowler. Let's see if it applies to Jurgens as well.

What’s next: Three of the Eagles' biggest needs entering the draft (cornerback, safety, edge rush) still haven't been addressed. They hold a pick in the third round and a fifth- and seventh-round pick on Day 3. Philadelphia expended six picks on Day 1 to acquire Davis and A.J. Brown. General manager Howie Roseman could try to trade back and acquire more assets as the draft goes on to address those needs.


Round 3, No. 83 overall: Nakobe Dean, ILB, Georgia

My take: The Eagles double-dipped on Georgia's national championship defense, selecting Dean, who surprisingly dropped to the third round. Medical concerns are apparently behind the slide. If he can stay healthy, Philadelphia got a steal. Dean had 72 tackles (10.5 for loss), six sacks and two interceptions for the Bulldogs in 2021. He is an explosive athlete who can be an effective blitzer and overall difference-maker from the second level. In the first round, they traded up to select Georgia defensive tackle Jordan Davis. It's a similar approach to last year, when they selected Alabama standouts DeVonta Smith and Landon Dickerson with their first two picks.


Round 6, No. 181 overall: Kyron Johnson, ILB, Kansas

My take: Johnson played both linebacker and defensive end during his five seasons at Kansas. Given that background, it would make sense for the Eagles to give him a look in the pass-rushing SAM linebacker role as a backup to Haason Reddick. He has rare speed (4.4-second 40-yard dash) for his size (6-foot, 235 pounds). Johnson moved to edge rusher in 2021 and posted 6.5 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss.


Round 6, No. 198 overall: Grant Calcaterra, TE, SMU

My take: An All-AAC second-team selection in 2021, Calcaterra played three seasons for Oklahoma before retiring from the game as a result of concussion issues. He was set to pursue a career as an Emergency Medical Technician but decided to give football another go. Calcaterra spent his last year at SMU, catching 38 balls for 465 yards and four touchdowns. He'll be competing for a role behind Dallas Goedert along with the likes of Tyree Jackson, Jack Stoll, Noah Togiai and receiver-turned-tight end JJ Arcega-Whiteside.