The 2022 NFL Draft began tonight at 8 PM, and in true Philadelphia fashion, the Eagles came out with a bang — starting the night by trading up. Originally holding the No. 15 overall pick, they traded picks 15, 124, 162, and 166 to the Houston Texans in exchange for No. 13.
With Philadelphia’s new selection, they chose defensive lineman Jordan Davis.
Their second first-round selection was a surprise as well. Rather than choosing a No. 18 overall pick, the Eagles traded No. 18 and No. 101 with the Tennessee Titans for wide receiver AJ Brown.
We've traded picks 18 and 101 to the Titans for WR A.J. Brown.@LifeBrand_AI | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/BKTNOL5B8u
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) April 29, 2022
EAGLES ACQUIRE WIDE RECEIVER AJ BROWN
Philadelphia was in need of a wide receiver and they went out tonight and got one.
The Tennessee Titans originally selected AJ Brown in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft. In his rookie season, he finished with 52 receptions for 1,051 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.
During the 2020 season, Brown injured both knees, missing two games. Despite not playing a full year, he finished with a career-high 70 receptions, 1,075 receiving yards, and 11 touchdowns. Brown underwent surgery in the offseason, entering the 2021 season alongside Julio Jones, starting in all 13 games in he played in.
Brown will now make his way to Philadelphia. He was traded in the 2022 NFL Draft in return for the 18th overall pick and a third-round (No. 101) selection. Despite putting up his personal lowest stats last season, including 63 receptions, 869 receiving yards, and five touchdowns, Brown still played better than all of Philadelphia’s wide receivers with the exception of DeVonta Smith.
Brown will start alongside Smith, who was last season’s first- round pick. He also joins Quez Watkins, Greg Ward, Jalen Reagor, John Hightower, and Zach Pascal.
The trade ensures that Philadelphia will get the support they need as they build around second-year starting quarterback Jalen Hurts.
Earlier this month, Hurts tried to recruit Brown over social media.
“I tried to recruit him to Alabama. We’ve been very close ever since. He’s one of my best friends”, Hurts stated.
Per multiple reports, the Eagles are giving Brown a four-year, $100 million contract extension. $57 million is guaranteed.
Philadelphia has No. 51, 83, 154, and 237 remaining. They will finish out the NFL Draft with six total picks, rather than ten.
