The 2022 NFL Draft gets underway this weekend. With COVID under more control than it was in the previous two offseasons, it allowed teams to finally bring prospects to their facilities to conduct their top-30 pre-draft visits.
NFL rules allow a team to host up to 30 prospects for a pre-draft visit to their facility, but it doesn’t always mean that the team is high on the prospects they bring in. Some teams use the visits to create the illusion of interest, while others want medical examinations and information with their own doctors and training staff (team doctors and trainers are permitted to perform their own medical evaluations of the players).
Only 24 of the 30 visits the Eagles had allocated to them are officially known. The team has had talks with many other players that could have potentially counted toward the top-30, but as of now the clarity of the meetings is unknown.
The Eagles ended up drafting/signing 6 of the 30 players they brought in for the 2020 Draft, so these visits are somewhat of an indicator of what Howie Roseman is interested in. The 2021 pre-draft info was murky do to COVID-19 restricting in-person meetings. Without further ado, here are the top-30 visits the Eagles conducted:
Offense
Matt Corral | QB | Mississippi | 6'2, 212lbs | (Source)
Eagles brass still claims they believe in Jalen Hurts, but they still talked to a lot of QBs this offseason.
Draft Projection: 1st-3rd round
Kenyon Green | OL | Texas A&M | 6'4, 323lbs | (Source)
Green has experience at guard and tackle in college. As of now the Eagles are set on their o-line, but Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson are on the wrong side of 30. The team might draft a lineman early and let him learn from some of the best lineman in the game before they retire.
Draft Projection: 1st round
Tyler Smith | OT | Tulsa | 6'5, 324lbs | (Source)
Smith could be more realistic of a pick than Green since the team can wait until day two to grab him and let him spend a year learning from the sidelines.
Draft Projection: 3rd round
Chris Olave | WR | Ohio State | 6'0, 187lbs | (Source)
It's no secret the Eagles are in the market for a receiver. Olave is considered one of the best in this class and could take some heat off of DeVonta Smith.
Draft Projection: 1st round
Jameson Williams | WR | Alabama | 6'2, 179lbs | (Source)
Williams seems to be the Eagles draft crush at receiver, and Williams has said he'd love to be in Philly with Jalen Hurts and DeVonta Smith. Recovering from a torn ACL may hinder his rookie season, but if he returns to full health he can help turn the Eagles offense into a juggernaut.
Draft Projection: 1st round
George Pickens | WR | Georgia | 6'3, 195lbs | (Source)
The talent is there but character concerns are keeping some teams away from him. If he pans out he can be the big-bodied receiver the Eagles hoped they were getting in J.J. Arcega-Whiteside.
Draft Projection: 2nd-3rd round
Cam Jurgens | C | Nebraska | 6'3, 303lbs | (Source)
There is a new report saying the Eagles will take him with the 51st overall pick if he is still available. He'd be a prefect protege to Jason Kelce as long as the team is OK using a valuable pick on someone unlikely to see the field this year.
Draft Projection: 2nd-3rd round
Defense
Andrew Booth | CB | Clemson | 6'0, 194lbs | (Source)
The loss of Steven Nelson this offseason puts pressure on the Eagles to find a reliable cornerback opposite Darius Slay. Booth isn't the best CB prospect in this draft but he does have a high ceiling.
Draft Projection: 1st round
Jordan Davis | DL | Georgia | 6'6, 341lbs | (Source)
Davis has become the draft crush of most Eagles fans. We are used to seeing the Birds having a reliable rotation on the inside of their d-line, but this is likely Fletcher Cox's last season with the team and Javon Hargrave is a free agent after this season, so the future at the position is unclear. Davis could join Milton Williams and help the Birds have a new furious tandem for the next half-decade.
Draft Projection: 1st round
Ahmad Gardner | CB | Cincinnati | 6'3, 190lbs | (Source)
"Sauce" Gardner is the cornerback Eagles fans have been waiting for -- a big body with tons of confidence. If the Eagles want him though they will likely have to trade up from 15th overall to somewhere in the top 10.
Draft Projection: 1st round
Marcus Jones | CB/KR | Houston | 5'8, 174lbs | (Source)
Jones is the best kick and punt returner in this draft. The Eagles haven't had a kick return touchdown since 2016, and no punt return touchdowns since 2020. His ceiling as a cornerback is a slot corner, but the Eagles already have a decent one in Avonte Maddox.
Draft Projection: 3rd round
George Karlafitis | EDGE | Purdue | 6'4, 275lbs | (Source)
The Eagles ran the position drills for his pro day, so their interest in him is real. Aside from Josh Sweat there isn't any future at the position o the team. Howie Roseman loves depth on the defensive line, so fans should expect Karlafitis in play for either of the two first-round picks.
Draft Projection: 1st round
Jesse Luketa | LB | Penn State | 6'3, 253lbs | (Source)
The Eagles always seem to prefer draft linebackers in the middle round rather than using an early pick on one, so drafting Luketa could become a reality.
Draft Projection: 4th-6th round
DeAngelo Malone | EDGE | Western Kentucky | 6'3, 243lbs | (Source)
If the Birds invest their earlier picks in other positions, Malone would be a perfect match in the middle rounds to bolster their pass rush. Malone is WKU's all-time leader in sacks and has a knack for being physical.
Draft Projection: 3rd-4th round
Jalen Pitre | S | Baylor | 5'11, 198lbs | (Source)
Pitre seems to be one of the best safety matches for the Birds in this draft class. With Rodney McLeod leaving town and Anthony Harris not fully reliable, it's crucial for the Eagles to secure the safety position before the start of the season.
Draft Projection: 1st-2nd round round
Kayvon Thibodeaux | EDGE | Oregon | 6'4, 254lbs | (Source)
Considered a top-three pass rusher in this draft, the only way the Eagles can land him is if he slips past the top-five and they trade up.
Draft Projection: 1st round
Perrion Winfrey | DT | Oklahoma | 6'4, 290lbs | (Source)
Winfrey has a high ceiling but a low floor, so picking him is like buying a lotto ticket. The Birds like their DTs to bring a pass rush and he certainly can supply that.
Draft Projection: 2nd-3rd round
Devonte Wyatt | DL | Georgia | 6'3, 304lbs | (Source)
He has potential to be a reliable starter in the NFL, but since he is already 24 years old he doesn't have a lot of time to adjust to NFL speed. I doubt Howie Roseman picks him, but crazier things have happened.
Draft Projection: 1st round
Christian Harris | LB | Alabama | 6'1, 226lbs | (Source)
This could be the most interesting linebacker prospect for the Birds. He has unlimited potential and since he is only 21 years old he has time to grow into a Pro Bowl caliber linebacker the Eagles desperately need.
Draft Projection: 2nd round
Jaquan Brisker | S | Penn State | 6'1, 199lbs | (Source)
He falls into the same category as Jalen Pitre as a safety prospect the team could have their eyes on for day two of the draft. Both him and Pitre could become a Week 1 starter with their talent.
Draft Projection: 2nd round
Brandon Smith | LB | Penn State | 6'1, 199lbs | (Source)
The Eagles have never drafted a linebacker from "Linebacker U", but with Brandon Smith and Jesse Luketa that could finally change. Smith has the athleticism and in-game IQ the Birds have been lacking at the position for years.
Draft Projection: 4th round
Arnold Ebiketie | DE | Penn State | 6'2, 250lbs | (Source)
A solid option for the Eagles on day two if they don't select a pass rusher on day one. Ebiketie is lightyears better than the last pass rusher they brought in from Penn State (Shareef Miller). He has a similar build to Brandon Graham and maybe BG can teach him a few tricks if he ends up in Philly.
Draft Projection: 2nd-3rd round
Travis Jones | DT | UCONN | 6'4, 325lbs | (Source)
The Eagles are reportedly fascinated with him. If they don't select Jordan Davis then Travis Jones is likely the #2 option for the Birds at the position. He's not special in the pass rush, but he makes up for it with his size taking up gaps in the running game.
Draft Projection: 1st-2nd round
Jermaine Johnson | EDGE | Florida State | 6'5, 254lbs | (Source)
The Eagles were high on Johnson early in the draft process, but Johnson became popular with many teams over the past few weeks. So he is likely another prospect the Eagles would have to trade up for if they want him. Johnson has a high motor and powerful moves to get to the QB early and often.
Draft Projection: 1st-2nd round
