Analyzing The Eagles’ Trade With The Saints
The Eagles have made an exchange of picks in their trade with the New Orleans Saints. The Eagles sent the 16th, 19th, and 194th picks in this year’s draft to the Saints. In return, Philadelphia will receive the 18th, 101st, and 237th picks as well as a 2023 first-round pick and a 2024 second-round pick.
To simplify, the Eagles will get a first-round pick next year, the second-round pick in 2024, and a third-round pick this year in exchange for their 16th overall. The other picks are negligible and essentially cancel each other out.
The Trade
The Eagles were originally set up to have three first-round selections in the 2022 draft due to the earlier trades with the Colts and Saints. The Eagles will now hold the 15th and 18th overall picks in 2022 and have two more first-round selections in 2023.
They are still analyzing Jalen Hurt’s value as a franchise quarterback and if he will be the starter for the rest of the decade. The extra pick in 2023 gives the Eagles some more wiggle room if they would like to draft a quarterback in 2023.
The Saints also have some major questions to be answered during their post-Drew Brees era. The Saints had a 9-8 season in 2022 and missed the playoffs. If things take a wrong turn for New Orleans, the Eagles could end up possessing a Top 10 overall pick. The 2023 quarterback class has some great talent, notably Bryce Young and CJ Stroud.
Current Situation
Just like financial institutions put interest rates out on loans, the Saints had to pay a premium for this year’s talent. The Eagles will earn back the draft value they gave up plus interest. That is of course if the Eagles can select the right talent and make a positive return on the trade.
When the Eagles made the Carson Wentz trade in 2016, they gave up their eighth overall pick that year and a first-round pick in 2017. That first-round pick in 2017 ended up being used to draft Deshaun Watson.
The Eagle’s draft history has shown that Howie Roseman has been successful in wheeling and dealing to obtain good draft picks. Roseman has not been great at drafting the right players with those picks. Eagles fans have been known to boo their drafted players in recent years. But the fans seem to rejoice at this new trade.
Former Eagles’ president (1995-2012) Joe Banner sent out a tweet stating that this was “one of the most lopsided trades we have seen in a long time.” He added that the “one, two and three saints gave up for 16 was enough that they could’ve used it to trade for almost any NFL star player, not a QB, and had picks leftover. Instead, they got a mid-first-round pick. Crazy.”
One of the most lopsided trades we have seen in a long time. The 1,2 & 3 saints gave up for 16 was enough that they could’ve used it to trade for almost any nfl star player not a QB and had picks left over. Instead they got a mid first round pick. Crazy. — Joe Banner (@JoeBanner13) April 4, 2022
2022 Updated Eagles’ Draft Picks
1st round: No. 15 overall (via Miami) 1st round: No. 18 overall (via New Orleans) 2nd round: No. 51 overall 3rd round: No. 83 overall 3rd round: No. 101 overall (via New Orleans) 4th round: No. 124 overall 5th round: No. 154 overall (via Washington)5th round: No. 162 overall 5th round: No. 166 overall (via Arizona) 7th round: No. 237 overall (via New Orleans)