PFF Gives Eagles “Good” Grade for 2018 Draft Class

One of the biggest topics of conversation about the Eagles is the drafting ability of general manager Howie Roseman.  Many Eagles fans blame Roseman for the current state of the team, which resulted in a 4-11-1 record in the 2020 season.  Was it a lack of talent from missed opportunities in the draft, was it injury, poor play from the quarterback position, a combination of everything?

Three years ago, Pro Football Focus gave Philadelphia a grade of “good” in its instant reaction following the draft. The Eagles only selected five players in the 2018 draft, all are still with the team and all have been starters or big contributors since entering the franchise.

After three seasons, PFF still gives that 2018 draft an “good” grade.

The Eagles have suffered through their fair share of draft struggles of late, but 2018 was easily their best class in recent memory — especially if you account for the team's lack of draft capital. With only one top-100 pick, Philly got a quality starting tight end in Dallas Goedert, an ascending pass-rusher in Josh Sweat and an ascending tackle in Jordan Mailata. Mailata’s emergence could push this grade even higher, as he’s come such a long way from a rugby player to a quality tackle in three years.

The Eagles did not have a first-round pick in the 2018 draft, but landed tight end Dallas Goedert in round two. Despite missing time in 2020 with a ankle injury, Goedert had 46 catches for 524 yards in 11 games.  Since being drafted in 2018, he has 137 catches for 1465 yards and 12 touchdowns.

The team had a pair of fourth-round picks in 2018, Avonte Maddox and Josh Sweat. Both have gotten plenty of time on the Eagles defense, with Maddox playing both corner and safety, and Sweat playing defensive end.

Maddox has 119 career tackles, two interceptions, 17 passed defended and 1.5 sacks since being drafted, while Sweat has made 56 tackles, 10 sacks, forcing three fumbles in 39 games since 2018.

A pair of offensive lineman, Matt Pryor and Jordan Mailata were taken in the sixth and seventh round respectively. This season, Mailata is the favorite to start at left tackle, after making 10 starts in 2020, which could as PFF notes, could push this grade even higher.

Pryor has started 10 games and played multiple positions for the Eagles since being drafted in 2018.