The 2021 NFL season ended in the Wild Card round of the playoffs for the Philadelphia Eagles. After making an impressive run to get into the postseason, they could not overcome Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Now, all attention will turn to the upcoming NFL free agency market and 2022 NFL Draft as the Eagles look to improve their roster even more.
Jalen Hurts did an excellent job solidifying himself as the franchise quarterback for the Eagles. He has already been named the starting quarterback to begin the 2022 season.
Looking specifically at the NFL Draft this offseason, the Eagles are scheduled to have three first-round pick. While they could stand pat and select three players, they also could look to move up aggressively for a better player. That is what one new mock draft has them doing.
In a new mock draft from Sports Illustrated, the Eagles made a big-time trade to move up to No. 8 overall with the Atlanta Falcons. With that selection, Philadelphia took Purdue star defensive end George Karlaftis.
“Purdue’s George Karlaftis boasts all three. A well-built athlete, the Boilermakers’ star has high-level starter potential at defensive end in both a 4-3 and a 3-4 defense; he is a better fit in a 4-3 front.”
Philadelphia would give up a 2022 first-round pick and a 2022 second-round pick in this deal. They would receive the Falcons’ 2022 first-round pick and 2022 fifth-round pick. The Eagles should jump on this trade if it presents itself.
During the 2021 college football season at Purdue, Karlaftis ended up recording 36 total tackles to go along with 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and two defended passes. Those numbers may not look huge, but his potential is through the roof.
Standing in at 6-foot-4 and 275 pounds, Karlaftis combines speed, power, and athleticism to be a threat off the edge. He has some work to do from a consistency standpoint, but he is a hard worker and a great leader. Those are all areas that the Eagles could use more help in.
All of that being said, the Eagles are going to be a team to watch closely this offseason. They have plenty of ammunition to make a big-time move and trading up in the NFL Draft is definitely an option.
