2022 NFL Draft: Jermaine Johnson, Tyler Linderbaum, Nakobe Dean all projected to Eagles in first round

[time2rock]

2022 NFL Draft: Jermaine Johnson, Tyler Linderbaum, Nakobe Dean all projected to Eagles in first round

ByRILEY GATES Feb 21, 2:54 PM

 

The Philadelphia Eagles are one of the teams to watch this year in the 2022 NFL Draft, as they have not one, not two, but three picks in the first round of the draft. As the draft approaches, speculation has begun on who those picks will end up being. CBS Sports HQ took a crack at answering that question recently. The three names identified as picks for the Eagles are Florida State edge rusher Jermaine Johnson, Iowa offensive lineman Tyler Linderbaum and Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean.

Johnson, a former top JUCO recruit and Georgia defender, played just one season for the Seminoles and was a star. He recorded 70 tackles, 17.5 for loss, and 11.5 sacks in his lone season at Florida State. CBS Sports’ Danny Kanell believes the Eagles could add an elite pass-rusher by drafting Johnson.

"Even more than what he showcased in practices (at the Senior Bowl), one-on-one drills against some of the top talent in the country, it’s once you get around him — and this is something that Mike Norvell told me,” Kanell said. "Once he got on campus at Tallahassee, almost instantly saw, you know, the leadership and intangible start coming to the forefront. But he’s explosive off the ball, he can flat-out get after the quarterback, as he showcased in Tallahassee this season.”

After taking Johnson, the mock draft has Philadelphia going after Linderbaum. The All-American offensive lineman for Iowa established himself as one of the best linemen in the country last year and could be a solid addition to an offensive line that looks to protect quarterback Jalen Hurts, who tends to escape the pocket and run at times.

"He needs more time in the pocket as he learns to be a better pocket passer, but he also loves to run,” Wilson said of Hurts. "Again, fortify the offensive line. And if you told me Tyler Linderbaum ended up going 15 or higher, I would completely and wholly believe you and think it would be worth it.”

Finally, the Eagles were projected to take Dean. After playing sparingly in 2019 as a freshman, Dean broke out in 2020, recording 71 tackles, 1.5 for loss, and 1.5 sacks as a sophomore. He then had an even bigger 2021 season with 72 tackles, 10.5 for loss, and six sacks, as well as two interceptions, one that was returned for a touchdown. After being a semifinalist for the award in 2020, Dean won the Butkus Award in 2021. Dean also earned first-team All-SEC honors last year and was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year by Pro Football Focus.

"He’s extremely smart. I think he’s an electrical engineer, he’s one of those really smart engineers, so he can do it on the field and off the field,” Wilson said of Dean. "And that’s exactly what the Eagles need. They haven’t drafted a linebacker in something like 400 years. That doesn’t mean they shouldn’t do it. He’s that good a player.”

The Eagles hold the 15th, 16th and 19th picks in the 2022 NFL Draft. The draft begins Thursday, April 28 for the first round.

https://247sports.com/Article/2022-NFL-Draft-Jermaine-Johnson-Tyler-Linderbaum-Nakobe-Dean-all-projected-to-Eagles-in-first-round-183237681/

[EaglesAddict]

I'd be pretty happy with this.  But with Kelce seeming like he's coming back and the way in which this team...i.e., Stoutland...can develop OL, I wouldn't think using one of our firsts on a Center would be the best use of resources.  I do like Linderbaum, though.

[Outlaw]

On 2/25/2022 at 1:44 PM, EaglesAddict said:

I'd be pretty happy with this.  But with Kelce seeming like he's coming back and the way in which this team...i.e., Stoutland...can develop OL, I wouldn't think using one of our firsts on a Center would be the best use of resources.  I do like Linderbaum, though.

I agree. I like Linderbaum and he would easily slide right in at C next year, but mid-1st seems high to grab a player who will have zero impact in 2022. He’s not a G/C. He’s strictly a C, and Kelce is an Ironman. I’d rather see a CB at that spot. Give me something like:

 

DE Walker/Johnson/Ojabo  

LB Lloyd/Dean

CB Gardner/Booth/McDuffie

 

[Cheesteakitis]

1 hour ago, Outlaw said:

I agree. I like Linderbaum and he would easily slide right in at C next year, but mid-1st seems high to grab a player who will have zero impact in 2022. He’s not a G/C. He’s strictly a C, and Kelce is an Ironman. I’d rather see a CB at that spot. Give me something like:

 

DE Johnson/Ojabo  

LB Lloyd/Dean

CB Gardner/Booth/McDuffie

 

good chance mcduffie is the only one left… while not a sexy pick why not draft a center of the future and let him learn under one  of the best?

linderbaum is probably a top 10 talent in the draft the fact that he is just a center likely drops him a half dozen plus spots if he is tops on your board i don’t think you cross him off just because he might not play this year. 

[Outlaw]

2 hours ago, Cheesteakitis said:

good chance mcduffie is the only one left… while not a sexy pick why not draft a center of the future and let him learn under one  of the best?

linderbaum is probably a top 10 talent in the draft the fact that he is just a center likely drops him a half dozen plus spots if he is tops on your board i don’t think you cross him off just because he might not play this year. 

McDuffie, Elam, McCreary, Gordon will be there. Seumalo can move to C. I say get a nice RG to take over for Brooks later in the draft. 

[time2rock]

1 hour ago, Outlaw said:

McDuffie, Elam, McCreary, Gordon will be there. Seumalo can move to C. I say get a nice RG to take over for Brooks later in the draft. 

No thanks on McDuffie.  And yes the bad taste Jones left is primarily responsible for that.  Then again I really do prefer to stay away from PAC-12 players as much as possible.  

And really not a fan of Elam.  If given a choice between he and McD though I’d take Elam.  But still hoping for Booth, Gardner, or McCreary (assuming Stingley goes before our first pick, otherwise I’d include him here).  

[Outlaw]

2 hours ago, time2rock said:

No thanks on McDuffie.  And yes the bad taste Jones left is primarily responsible for that.  Then again I really do prefer to stay away from PAC-12 players as much as possible.  

And really not a fan of Elam.  If given a choice between he and McD though I’d take Elam.  But still hoping for Booth, Gardner, or McCreary (assuming Stingley goes before our first pick, otherwise I’d include him here).  

Clearly if Sauce, Stingley or Booth are there they’re the top 3. McCreary’s t-Rex arms bother me.