The 2022 Saints-Eagles Draft Trade: Philadelphia Turned Patience Into a Future Top-10 Pick
New Orleans acquired two 2022 first-rounders, while Philadelphia pushed major value into 2023 and 2024. The future first became the key asset in the Eagles' move for Jalen Carter.
New Orleans Saints Received
- pick 2022 1st round pick (16th overall subsequently traded, Jahan Dotson ), 2022 1st round pick (19th overall, Trevor Penning) and 2022 6th round pick (194th overall, Jordan Jackson )
Philadelphia Eagles Received
- pick 2022 1st round pick (18th overall subsequently traded, Treylon Burks ), 2022 3rd round pick (101st overall subsequently traded, Jeremy Ruckert ), 2022 7th round pick (237th overall subsequently traded, Chase Lucas ), 2023 1st round pick (10th overall subsequently traded, Darnell Wright ) and 2024 2nd round pick (50th overall subsequently traded, Mike Sainristil )
Trade Summary
New Orleans acquired two 2022 first-round slots and used one on Trevor Penning, while Philadelphia received a future first, a future second, and additional selections. The 2023 first became the No. 10 pick that Philadelphia used in the move for Jalen Carter. The Eagles converted patience into premium, championship-level roster value.
Trade Analysis
What the Trade Actually Did
New Orleans and Philadelphia made an unusual pre-draft exchange in April 2022. The Saints acquired two 2022 first-round selections, No. 16 and No. 19, plus a sixth-rounder. Philadelphia received No. 18, a third and a seventh in 2022, New Orleans' 2023 first-round pick and a 2024 second-round pick. The Saints were buying immediate first-round flexibility; the Eagles were spreading premium value across three drafts.
Why New Orleans Wanted the Picks Now
The Saints were trying to add young starters without waiting another year. They used one of the first-round slots on tackle Trevor Penning and continued maneuvering around the board. That approach carried a clear cost: New Orleans gave up a future first without knowing where it would land.
That uncertainty became the decisive element. The 2023 first from New Orleans landed at No. 10. Philadelphia later moved from No. 10 to No. 9 and selected Jalen Carter, turning the delayed asset into a premium defensive cornerstone.
Why Philadelphia's Patience Paid Off
The Eagles did not simply collect a future lottery ticket. They retained a 2022 first-round presence while also adding a third-rounder, the future first and a future second. That structure protected Philadelphia from having the entire trade depend on one selection. When New Orleans' 2022 season produced a top-10 pick, the ceiling of the deal rose dramatically.
What Keeps This From Being a One-Pick Story
The Saints still received real first-round value and had a coherent reason to accelerate their draft timeline. Penning's development and the other 2022 assets matter. But the opportunity cost of the future first became enormous once the pick landed in the top 10, and Philadelphia also controlled additional draft capital beyond it.
Final Verdict
Philadelphia wins clearly. New Orleans paid a steep future premium for immediate draft access, while the Eagles preserved current value and gained the asset that became central to acquiring Carter. The long-range structure favored Philadelphia before the picks were known, and hindsight widened the gap.