The Eagles passing on Justin Jefferson changed the course of Philadelphia's franchise
A reverberated “what if” in franchise history. The Eagles are set to play in their second Super Bowl in three years. That likely doesn’t happen with the selection of Justin Jefferson.
Among the critiqued Philadelphia Eagles’ fanbase — the most ruthless, passionate, and tenacious people — one of the biggest “what ifs” in franchise history still finds itself at the center of discourse, despite the organization’s success since the draft-day blunder.
On April 23, 2020, the Eagles inadvertently gifted the second coming of Randy Moss to the Minnesota Vikings: LSU’s Justin Jefferson. Instead, they opted for TCU’s Jalen Reagor. Doug Pederson — head coach then — and general manager Howie Roseman went into the draft prioritizing fit rather than the better prospect. Jefferson was perceived solely as a slot receiver, while Reagor was an outside/speed receiver who could stretch the field vertically. That’s what the organization wanted, especially with two above-average tight ends occupying the middle of the field — Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert — and Greg Ward coming off of a productive year in the slot.
The Eagles’ fanbase didn’t care about fit — they had been clamoring for Jefferson throughout the entire draft process. However, many Hail Mary readers know I had, in fact, not. I had been in the Reagor camp.
I own that. We all miss sometimes.
The 2020 NFL Draft was the COVID-19 draft. Without an in-person event, Roger Goodell announced selections from the comfort of his NFL-adorned and book-shelved basement. Draftees didn’t walk across the stage like in any other draft, and there was no fan attendance, albeit a good thing for Reagor. Philadelphia fans always make their way out to the NFL Draft. They travel largely. It’s fair to surmise that Reagor evaded a cluster of tumultuous boos for merely getting drafted, a selection he himself had no influence on. Certainly, there were boos, just none Reagor could hear from his watch party in Waxahachie, Texas.
Jefferson, selected one pick later, wouldn’t have received that reaction. No, the entire city of Philadelphia would have erupted with joy.
Since then, Jefferson has racked up 7,432 yards, 40 touchdowns, two First-Team All-Pro honors (2021, 2025), and two Second-Team All-Pro honors (2022, 2024). Conversely, Reagor has been traded once — ironically to the Vikings — and cut twice, once by Minnesota and once by the New England Patriots. The Eagles gave up on Reagor two seasons after drafting him; he failed to live up to the Earth-sized expectations the fanbase set for him after Jefferson’s rookie-year breakout.
If you’re going to pass on a player currently on the path to becoming an all-time great, it helps to correct your mistake with not one, but two elite receivers.
DeVonta Smith and AJ Brown.
Since becoming teammates in 2022, the duo has solidified themselves among the most formidable tandems in the NFL. They’ve combined for 8,042 yards and 52 touchdowns as Eagles.
Roseman got it right by trading up for Smith in the 2021 NFL Draft. It was a pick that sparked a new philosophy for the Eagles: build through the SEC, which he carried into subsequent drafts. Georgia’s Jordan Davis (6-foot-6, 332 pounds) in 2022 didn't perfectly align with the Eagles' traditional preferences for smaller, more athletic defensive tackles, but they took him because he was talented. Roseman then went back the Georgia well. The selection of Jalen Carter in 2023, despite character concerns that knocked him off countless draft boards, further exemplified this adopted talent-first approach. Carter was regarded by many analysts as the best prospect in the draft.
The Eagles' draft room suddenly transformed from a space of rigid parameters fixated on fit to one of flexibility and adaptation. In recent years, coordinators have learned to adjust their scheme to ensure a player’s capabilities are highlighted. It's a complete reversal from the Jefferson decision, where scheme fit trumped undeniable talent.
Now, the Eagles are heading to their second Super Bowl in three seasons. I’m not sure that happens if Jefferson is the pick in 2020.
The Jefferson decision still echoes throughout the city of Philadelphia. But in its wake, Roseman has done something greater — he’s turned the Eagles into a powerhouse, and has revealed a blueprint other owners will soon begin to follow.
Sometimes, the best lessons come wrapped in mistakes. For Roseman and the Eagles, that lesson changed everything.