Eagles stockpiling picks for loaded 2023 QB class is scary for Commanders

Recency bias is prevalent in the world of sports, but we feel confident saying the 2022 NFL offseason is one of the craziest we can remember. Between all of the quarterback movement, blockbuster trades involving star wide receivers and free agency shockers, fans haven’t had a second to catch their breath.

With their trade of Carson Wentz and stealing JD McKissic from Buffalo, the Washington Commanders have played a role in the craziness.

If you can believe it, the madness train kept chugging along on Monday, as the Eagles and Saints struck a trade; the first involving teams switching positions in the upcoming draft.

Already equipped with three first-rounders, the Eagles continued stockpiling draft capital by taking advantage of a Saints team that is either head over heels with a certain prospect or views itself as a contender and wants to add two first-round talents to boost its chance to get back to the playoffs.

Here are the official trade terms, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Commanders fans should be wary of the Eagles’ collection of draft picks for 2022 and beyond.

At first glance, those trade terms are scary from a Commanders’ perspective, as the Eagles now have nine picks in the first three rounds over the next three years. In turn, they are now positioned to strike another trade next year to move up and draft a quarterback in what is perceived as a deep class for the position.

Even more worrisome? The 2023 first-rounder Philly acquired might end up being an upgrade over the No. 19 pick they sent to New Orleans. Think about it. Sean Payton is gone, they lost left tackle Terron Armstead, Jameis Winston is coming back from a torn ACL and they’ll face the seventh-hardest schedule in 2022.

You could be talking about a potential top-10 pick. In the worst-case scenario it’ll likely fall somewhere in the 12-16 range.

On the surface, this pseudo-blockbuster means Jalen Hurts will get another season to prove himself. Should he fall short of expectations, the Eagles could package their two firsts next year and more (with maybe a player or two to sweeten the post) to trade up and select another quarterback in 2023.

While Ohio State’s CJ Stroud and Alabama’s Bryce Young, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, are considered the cream of next year’s crop, Florida’s Anthony Richardson and Kentucky’s Will Levis are also viewed as top-notch prospects.

And consider this: If the Eagles take another step forward in 2022 under Nick Sirianni, they might feel a rookie doesn’t fit into their plans. Depending how the QB market unfolds, general manager Howie Roseman will have plenty of ammunition to swoop in and trade for an established veteran.

With how often QBs have switched teams in recent years, the Eagles are positioned as well as anybody to strike the next big trade.

And if Hurts proves to be franchise-quarterback material, Philadelphia has ample draft capital to continue building around him. Of course, that means nothing if Roseman and Co. don’t hit on all their picks, but laying out these scenarios on paper is pretty terrifying for Commanders fans to think about, no?

Regardless of what happens this upcoming season, the Eagles’ bountiful draft pick situation not only gives them an escape route, but a surefire path to either long-term success or immediate success. While playing the lottery and winning it are two different entities, Philly is knocking on the he door of being a real problem.

That’s a big deal for the Commanders.