Football in Philly is basically a religion. If you’ve ever sat in the nosebleeds at Lincoln Financial Field, you know the vibe. Fans here don’t just watch the game; they scout. Every April, when the NFL Draft rolls around, the city holds its collective breath to see what Howie Roseman has up his sleeve. He’s the guy everyone loves to hate until he pulls off a trade that looks like highway robbery. Honestly, looking back at the eagles draft picks by year, it’s a wild ride of "what were they thinking?" and "Howie is a genius."
The recent stretch from 2020 to 2025 tells a story of a team that almost collapsed and then rebuilt itself into a perennial heavyweight. You remember 2020. It was the year of the Jalen Reagor pick. Fans still get a little twitchy thinking about Justin Jefferson going one pick later. But that same draft gave us Jalen Hurts in the second round. Two picks, one year, and they fundamentally changed the franchise in opposite directions. That’s the draft for you. It’s a gamble, and the Eagles play it more aggressively than most.
Recent Eagles Draft Picks by Year: Breaking Down the 2020s
When you look at the eagles draft picks by year over this current decade, you see a clear shift. There was a moment where they stopped trying to be the smartest guys in the room and started just taking the best athletes from the biggest schools. Specifically, they fell in love with Georgia and Alabama. It’s become a bit of a running joke, but hey, if you’re going to steal from someone, steal from the best college programs in the country.
The 2025 Class: Shoring Up the Defense
This most recent class was all about the defensive side of the ball. After a 2024 season where the defense felt a bit thin at times—especially after losing guys like Josh Sweat and Milton Williams—Howie went back to the well.
The headliner was Jihaad Campbell, the linebacker out of Alabama. Taking a linebacker in the first round? That's sort of a "new" Eagles move, as they usually ignore the position early on. But Campbell is a freak. He fits Vic Fangio’s system perfectly. They also snagged Andrew Mukuba, a safety from Texas, in the second. Mukuba is one of those "hit like a truck" types who can play all over the secondary.
Late in the 2025 draft, they even took a flyer on Kyle McCord, the Syracuse QB. It’s that "QB Factory" mentality again. They don't need a starter, but they love developing guys to flip them later for more picks. It's a cycle.
👉 See also: Last Match Man City: Why Newcastle Couldn't Stop the Semenyo Surge
2024: The Secondary Rebuild
Before the 2025 group, the 2024 class felt like a masterclass in value. People were shocked when Quinyon Mitchell fell to 22. Then, Howie did his thing and traded up in the second round for Cooper DeJean. Getting the two best defensive backs in the draft was basically a dream scenario.
- 1st Round: Quinyon Mitchell, CB (Toledo)
- 2nd Round: Cooper DeJean, DB (Iowa)
- 3rd Round: Jalyx Hunt, EDGE (Houston Christian)
- 4th Round: Will Shipley, RB (Clemson)
Jalyx Hunt was the "project" pick. Small school, huge upside. Most fans hadn't heard of him, but the scouts loved his raw twitch.
2023: The Georgia Connection
This was the year the Eagles basically became "Georgia North." It was honestly hilarious. They took Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith in the first round. Carter was a top-3 talent who slipped because of off-field questions, and the Eagles jumped at the chance.
They also added Sydney Brown and Kelee Ringo later. By the time the draft ended, half the defense had played together in Athens. It wasn't just a meme; it was a strategy. They wanted guys who knew how to win and had existing chemistry.
The Howie Roseman Strategy: Why It Works (Mostly)
If you study the eagles draft picks by year, you’ll notice Roseman doesn't value picks the way other GMs do. To him, a draft pick is a currency. He’s like a day trader. He’ll trade a 2025 third-rounder for a 2026 second-rounder in a heartbeat if he thinks the value is better.
✨ Don't miss: Cowboys Score: Why Dallas Just Can't Finish the Job When it Matters
He also prioritizes "trench" players. Offensive and defensive lines are the priority. In 2022, it was Jordan Davis and Cam Jurgens. In 2021, it was Landon Dickerson. They build from the inside out. It’s why Jason Kelce’s retirement didn't immediately sink the ship—they had Jurgens waiting in the wings for two years.
The Athleticism Threshold
The Eagles don't just guess. They use something called RAS (Relative Athletic Score). Basically, it’s a 0-to-10 scale that measures how much of an athlete a guy is compared to others at his position.
From 2023 to 2025, over 60% of their picks had a RAS over 9.0. They want fast, explosive humans. If you aren't an elite athlete, you probably aren't getting drafted by Philly. They figure they can coach up the technique, but they can't coach a 4.3 forty-yard dash.
What People Get Wrong About the Eagles Draft History
A lot of folks look at the 2020 draft and say it was a disaster because of Reagor. Sure, it was a bad pick. But look at the rest of that list. Jalen Hurts (Round 2) is an MVP-level QB. Quez Watkins and Jack Driscoll were solid contributors for years as late-rounders.
The draft isn't about hitting on every pick. Nobody does that. It’s about not missing on the big ones and finding "starters" in the middle rounds.
🔗 Read more: Jake Paul Mike Tyson Tattoo: What Most People Get Wrong
- 2021 was a home run: DeVonta Smith is a star. Landon Dickerson is a Pro Bowl guard. Milton Williams is a beast in the rotation.
- 2018 gave us a legend: Jordan Mailata in the 7th round. The guy had never played football before. Now he's one of the best left tackles in the league. That's the stuff of movies.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Outlook
What’s next? Based on the eagles draft picks by year trends, expect them to keep hoarding future capital. They already picked up an extra 2026 fifth-rounder in a trade with the Falcons during the '25 draft.
They’ll likely look at the edge rusher position again. Brandon Graham can't play forever (though he's trying), and you can never have too many guys who can hit the quarterback. Also, watch the offensive tackle spot. Lane Johnson is still elite, but the Eagles always draft a successor two years before they actually need one.
Actionable Insights for Eagles Fans
If you want to track the draft like a pro, stop looking at "Mock Drafts" in January. They’re usually wrong. Instead, pay attention to the Senior Bowl roster. The Eagles love guys who show up in Mobile, Alabama. Also, keep an eye on those RAS scores after the Combine. If a defensive lineman posts a 9.5+ score, put him on your radar for Philly.
To stay on top of the roster moves, check the official Eagles Draft Central or follow beat writers who actually sit in the room. The strategy is consistent: draft for traits, build the lines, and never be afraid to trade.