18. Eagles (From Saints) – George Karlaftis, Defensive End, Purdue
After selecting a wide receiver earlier in the draft, the Eagles will need to select a defensive player with their second first-round pick. While they could attack all three levels of defense with this pick, a pass-rusher is likely to be the best use of their money. Naturally, they will be pleased that Karlaftis has fallen to them at number 18. Karlaftis is a tremendous athlete who formerly competed in water polo and won state championships in shot put in high school. The Eagles will undoubtedly find a way to employ such a player.
18. Eagles (from Saints) – George Karlaftis, Defensive End, Purdue
19. Saints (From Eagles) – Trent McDuffie, Cornerback, Washington
New Orleans, like the Eagles, used its first-round pick on a wide receiver. It’s now time to counteract it with a defensive selection. After all, with quarterback uncertainty, the Saints will need a strong defense to compete in 2022. They aren’t getting the biggest or most physical cornerback in McDuffie. The Pac-12’s abbreviated season in 2020 also curtailed some of his college experience. But the Saints don’t need McDuffie to be a star right away; they just need depth at that position, so he’s a good pick at 19.
19. Saints (from Eagles) – Trent McDuffie, Cornerback, Washington
