For those of you that may not be aware of the trade in question, the Saints and Eagles just completed a trade that saw the Eagles’ 16th and 19th overall picks get shipped to New Orleans in exchange for the 18th overall pick, a 2023 first-rounder, a 2024 second-rounder, and a 2022 third-rounder. Here’s how the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft looks after this trade.
There were a few other late-round picks involved in the trade as well, but those are the less relevant pieces.
So what exactly does the trade mean for both sides? First, let’s break down New Orleans’ side of the trade. The Saints managed to pick up an additional first-round pick this year, which must mean that they really like the talent in the 2022 draft. Either that or the Saints feel that they are just an additional piece or two away from being competitive.
Now, looking at 2021, this might seem absolutely absurd for them to think. But, let’s consider a few things. First, Michael Thomas did not set foot on the field in 2021. He is a game-changing player in his own. Second, the team looked fantastic with Jameis Winston under center. After he went down with an ACL tear, the Saints sort of lost their identity and could never get back on the right track. With Winston back under contract and healthy, who knows where this offense could be in 2022. And lastly, the Saints will be playing under a new head coach for the first time since Sean Payton was hired in 2006 (!!!).
New head coach Dennis Allen will surely want to bring in some of his own guys, and acquiring an additional first-rounder in the 2022 draft is the perfect way to do so.
Now let’s take a look at the infinitely more complicated Eagles’ half of this draft. The trade can be interpreted in a variety of ways. Right off the bat, it looks like quite the haul for Philly. With the focal point of the draft being the 2023 first-round pick, Philly is banking on the Saints being bad and that draft pick being a top 5 selection.
Which means… uh oh, Philly fans… Howie and the gang are not satisfied with Jalen Hurts and will likely be looking to select a QB with that early 2023 pick.
Perhaps the more interesting side of this trade though, is that the Eagles must not think that they are in a position to compete for a championship this year. If they did believe that they were a championship-level team – and remember, they were a playoff team this past season – then you would have to think that three first-round picks this season would be much more important to them than stocking up an early fist in 2023.
Three first-round picks this season could have translated to three potential starters added to an already solid team. It just seems like a bit of an odd move given the current landscape of the NFC East and the NFC as a whole.
Even though we may think we have the trade all figured out, I’m sure there are a million more narratives at play, as well. The only real way to see how this will play out is to tune into the NFL Draft on April 28th!
