Philadelphia Eagles, C.J. Gardner-Johnson (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
The Philadelphia Eagles had a hard time keeping their Super Bowl roster together, and will rely on the 2023 NFL Draft for reinforcements
It’s tough to get to a Super Bowl. It’s even tougher to win it. Now, get there two years in a row? That’s a whole different story, but the Philadelphia Eagles are in position to try and do so this next season.
To do that, though, they are going to need to have one heck of a weekend over the course of the 2023 NFL Draft. This is a team that lost some major pieces during the initial portion of free agency.
Nick Siriani’s roster still boasts a lot of the big playmakers on offense, like Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith, of course. But, there are some especially large losses looming on the defensive side.
Which free agents could end up being replaced in the upcoming draft? There are three, in particular, the Eagles should keep in mind.
Free agents the Philadelphia Eagles can replace in NFL Draft: C.J. Gardner-Johnson
After Philadelphia brought in former Saints defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson, the defense changed. It experienced a shift. It was as if Gardner-Johnson was the missing piece which catapulted them to the next level, and yet, they did not bring him back. Instead, he signed just a one-year deal in Detroit.
If the team wanted to replace him in this year’s draft, they would need to find a versatile corner/safety that could be asked to do a lot, but mostly, be that physical presence with an attitude they’re going to miss.
Philadelphia could look at a guy like Antonio Johnson out of Texas A&M, somewhere in the second round. He’s a monster at 6-foot-3 and plays both safety and slot corner. He’s a physical player who can shut down opposing wideouts and/or tight ends. He’s also a phenomenal run-stuffer.
A little later in the third round, Florida State’s Jammie Robinson would be a solid option as well. He’s one of the most well-rounded defensive backs there are in the draft.
