The New Orleans Saints doubled their first-round picks in this year’s NFL draft, while the Philadelphia Eagles pushed one of their three first-rounders back to 2023 on a blockbuster trade Monday.
In trade, the Saints earned two 2022 first-round picks (#16 and #19) and one 2022 sixth-round pick (#194), while the Eagles received one 2022 first-round pick (#18) received. a first-round selection in 2023, a second-round selection in 2024, and a third-round (No. 101) and seventh-round selection in 2022 (No. 237).
After the trade, the Eagles will pick twice more in the first round of 2022 as they also own number 15.
| get saints | get eagle |
|---|---|
| No. 16 Pick | Select #18 |
| Pick up #19 | Pick up #101 |
| No. 194 Pick | Select no. 237 |
| 2023 first round selection | |
| 2024 second round selection |
According to ESPN’s Draft Pick Value Calculator, the Eagles got the much better side of the deal “if the 2022 and 2023 picks were treated with equal value.”
Other trade value charts put the deal a little closer. Regardless, the Saints clearly paid a premium to get next year’s first-round pick in the building “a year early,” in general manager Mickey Loomis’ description of similar trades in years past.
This also helps New Orleans add talent without having to use valuable salary cap space in freelance agencies. The Saints have made it clear they don’t plan to rebuild under new coach Dennis Allen — and they’ve shown their willingness to shell out big bucks for quarterback Deshaun Watson. However, the Saints have been mostly cautious, signing minimal free agents after starting the offseason about $75 million over the cap.
2 relatives
It’s unclear if the Saints intend to box the two picks for another move — or if they like the idea of diving into this year’s top 20. Loomis said earlier this offseason that counting on everyone landing a quarterback all the way back at 18 would be too difficult. Since then, the Saints have signed two veteran free-agent quarterbacks in Jameis Winston and Andy Dalton.
Other key requirements for the Saints include wide receiver, offensive tackle and safety after losing left tackle Terron Armstead and safety Marcus Williams in free agency, and safety Malcolm Jenkins retired.
The deal gives Philadelphia more draft capital in the years to come. The Eagles appear determined to rate Jalen Hurts as quarterback for at least one more season and now have more flexibility with two firsts in 2023. They have a total of 10 picks in this year’s draft.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.