The one thing the Philadelphia Eagles must get right this offseason

To secure their future, the Philadelphia Eagles must hit big in the draft. The Eagles have the firepower to make that happen, but the draft can be a crapshoot.

Philadelphia has six picks, including two in the first round. The Saints gifted the Eagles a first-rounder — the 10th overall — in a deal to move up during last year's draft. The No. 30 overall pick is their own. Philadelphia also has picks in the second, third and seventh rounds (two). 

Good, young players are cheaper players. If the financially pressed organization fails to deliver in the draft, it could harm the team for years. 

The Eagles lead the league in dead money with $46 million and are nearly $10 million over the cap, per Spotrac.

Philadelphia has 20 free agents, including defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, cornerback James Bradberry and safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, per Spotrac. Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and Bradberry probably will depart for major paydays.

Additionally, the Eagles plan to extend quarterback Jalen Hurts with a contract worth $45 million to $50 million annually, per NBC Sports Philadelphia.  

Six of 22 starters on offense and defense in 2022 are 30 or older: Cox, Hargrave, center Jason Kelce, offensive tackle Lane Johnson, defensive end Brandon Graham and cornerback Darius Slay. 

Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has had notable successes in the draft (Hurts in 2022 second round) and notable misses. No player from the 2017 class, for instance, made a major contribution in 2022.

Eagles fans especially remember the 2020 draft, when Roseman selected TCU WR Jalen Reagor over LSU WR Justin Jefferson, who became a star with Minnesota. Reagor is no longer with the Eagles, playing sparingly as a teammate of Jefferson's now, ironically.

If last year's draft is an indication, the Eagles could be sellers. They sent a first-round pick to Tennessee in a deal for star wide receiver A.J. Brown and traded up to draft Georgia DT Jordan Davis in the first round.

Whether the Eagles keep their draft picks or trade them, the decisions they make could determine whether the team has staying power as an NFC powerhouse.