Howie Roseman’s story has long been about a man who tried to act like he was one step ahead of the league, but in the end he kept falling on his face. Whether it’s the disastrous 2019 NFL Draft, where JJ Arsega Whiteside was selected before Metcalfe, or Jalen Reagor’s takeover of Justin Jefferson in 2020, he always felt that the obvious answers were right there for Howie, and he always he moved unnecessarily when the others moved.
But something has changed.
Entering last year’s draft, the team needed some stability. Doug Pederson’s era ended disastrously, Carson Wentz left the stage on the left and the Eagles were left with a young quarterback, rookie head coach and GM looking to the right of the ship that capsized. Howie Roseman has made his first two selections for two of the most important players in the country’s best team this year: DeVonta Smith of Alabama and Landon Dickerson. Smith had just been from a Heisman campaign that brought Crimson Tide to the national title, and Dickerson was a highly decorated member of Tide’s offensive line. These were smart, obvious selections of players, proven at the highest level. Not to mention that Howie Roseman came out of this draft with an additional choice in the first round in 2022.
The payoff was obvious. DeVonta Smith was immediately and by far the best broadcaster on the team, and Landon Dickerson eventually settled as a kicking guard next to Jordan Mailata. The best rookies made a huge contribution, while the rest of the Howie 2021 class had some serious highlights. The end result was a surprising place in the playoffs and high hopes for the future of the team.
In the spring of 2022, the Eagles were loaded with picks and money, expecting the whole team to take a big next step. Howie made another great deal to send one of the teams 3 selections from the first round in New Orleans for the first in 2023 and second for 2024, so the Eagles entered the draft with two first and a handful of other choices.
Then Howie really went to work.
The Eagles could go a million directions in the first round. Needs were still plentiful throughout the team: in principle, any quality defensive player would be welcome in the first round or perhaps a broad receiver. Howie made his first move when he overtook Baltimore and selected Jordan Davis, the athletic marvel in defense of the Georgia National Championship. Even 30 minutes later, Howie moved the other pick in the first round to AJ Brown of Tennessee, one of the best young broadcasters in the NFL. Brown, a proven playmaker, is undoubtedly better than any receiver the Eagles could go through in the draft. It was clear that the Eagles needed more experienced passing in their attack, full of young receivers and Howie Roseman made the game one of the best.
And somehow this is not the end of the story of Howie’s masterful project for 2022.
On Day 2, Roseman chose the Kam Jürgens Athletic Center of Nebraska. The team has been associated with Jürgens for a long time and after the draft it was revealed that Jason Kelche himself gave the good word to Jürgens to be his successor. When Jason Kells tells you the center is good, you listen.
But the main storyline of Day 2 was not the center of the Eagles in the second round, but that midfielder Nakobe Dean fell much farther than anyone expected. The heart and soul of Georgia’s national title defense was designed by many as a choice from the first or high second round, but it was free to fall on the second day.
His fall came with an 83rd pick in the draft when Howie Roseman picked the fast-paced Nakobe Dean on a team desperate for a high-level midfielder.
For the second year in a row, Roseman chose two of the most important players from the best team in the country. A formula that worked so well last year would be foolish not to repeat. The Eagles came out of the draft with Jordan Davis, Nakobe Dean, AJ Brown, Kam Jürgens, some quality players in depth and a handful of selected in 2023.
There is indeed a feeling that Howie Roseman is willing to self-criticize after the 2019 and 2020 projects and is now in one of them.
As for Howie, however, here are a few more detailed views on the Eagles 2022 election.
Jordan Davis, Defensive Strike, Georgia
What he immediately brings to the team: Jordan Davis was my fourth ranked player in the class. His dominant running defenses and ability to eat blocks were enough to project him as a high-profile draft pick in the NFL, but he’s also one of the best athletes to ever play college football. The immediate influence of Jordan Davis is someone who can dominantly play any inner defensive position in base or nickel defense. His ability to destroy a one-man crew against running will allow the Eagles to play with lighter boxes to be more prepared to defend against a pass. Having such an immediately dominant running defender is the perfect way to consistently score defenses in third and long situations, increasing the game of the whole unit.
Long-term perspective: Much has been done about the lack of Jordan Davis’ flaws in UGA, but in reality it had less to do with ability and more to do with UGA’s defensive philosophy. Davis was asked to control the line of battle and create opportunities for blitz. Davis read run-first in every game he played on the field, which meant he always played a step slower to run out and rush the passer. On several occasions, Georgia asked him to shoot in the field, Davis showed a destructive ability to strike from guards and centers to create internal tension.
The depth of the Eagles’ defensive line means that Davis will play an important role in the first year, giving the Eagles flexibility with formations on the defensive front. They can play 3-4 equalizers with Davis at 0-tech, 4-3 above and below the fronts, with Davis playing 1-tech and field nickel defenses in early downs, with Davis playing defensive shots knowing the teams will have trouble with running. As Davis gets more reps where he can rush to the field, he will improve on that. If he even takes a small step as a productive passer, the Eagles’ defensive front will be great for years to come.
Kam Jurgens, Center, Nebraska
What he immediately brings to the team: Kam Jürgens was chosen to eventually replace Jason Kelche, so it’s fair to assume that he (hopefully) won’t see much on the field in his new year. Unlike Landon Dickerson last year, Kam Jurgens lacks the size and experience to play guard in his new year. So Jurgens will sit and train behind Jason Kells in the first year.
Long-term perspective: Jason Kells is doing so much to catalyze the Eagles’ attack with his athleticism, toughness and intelligence. Replacing what it does is a high, high task. So drawing Jürgens, whose athletic profile is very similar to Jason Kelche, was a step in the right direction. The hope is that Jürgens’ athletic instruments and mentality will be a great basis for coach Stoutland to make him the next big Eagles center.
Nakobe Dean, midfielder, Georgia
What he immediately brings to the team: For some time now, the Eagles have lacked a real difference in the midfielder. Nakobe Dean not only brings speed to the game, but also brings a mentality that the Eagles have not had in their defense since Malcolm Jenkins left. Nakobe Dean was the leader of the Georgian national team and was the heart and soul of their defense. Dean’s energy was something that was obviously contagious to the Bulldogs, and he would bring it to the Eagles’ locker room.
Schematically, Dean will be a defensive asset as soon as he can step on the field. Although smaller than the average NFL midfielder, he uses speed, instincts and physique to avoid and run through blocks in college. While it is fair to assume that he will have a harder time with the NFL line-up, his speed will still make a difference. He will immediately become a game-changing blitz and having him on the field with Haason Reddick, Josh Sweat and Kyzir White will give the Eagles so much flexibility to move their defenders and create pressure from anywhere on the pitch. Dean will see most of his early photos as a nickel midfielder. Fortunately, Eagles’ talent on the defensive line should make things a lot easier for Dean in terms of switching to runners-up.
Long-term perspective: Dean may not be an immediate midfielder, but this should be his prediction when he feels more comfortable. Dean was considered a first-round talent for a reason. By the end of the rookie season, Dean should feel comfortable enough as an NFL midfielder to take most of the shots back there.
Kieran Johnson, midfielder, Kansas
What he brings to the team immediately: Kieron Johnson had time to play with an advantage outside the ball during his tenure in Kansas. His speed, physicality and hot engine made him a productive and valuable member of the Jayhawks’ defense. In All Star circles, Johnson impressed in practice, often winning one-on-one with some offensive line players who went much earlier than him in the draft. Johnson’s size of six feet and about 235 pounds is not ideal for a leading player in the NFL, but his speed and intelligence can make him a valuable depth as a midfielder. The Eagles also highlighted his contribution to special teams in college (Howie said he has had 17 ST games in his career), showing his hand that Johnson will be used in special teams early in his NFL career.
Long-term perspective: Johnson’s most likely path is to make his way as a defender. His edge experience can make him a chess piece in defense who values flexibility. Johnson is likely to see most of his time as a member of a special team.
Grant Calcatera, Tight End, SMU
What he brings to the team immediately: The Eagles have a huge hole behind Dallas Gödert in terms of viable passes catching tight ends. Jack Stall was an excellent blocker in his rookie season, but he was targeted only five times in four …
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