We’re a little more than two weeks away from the NFL draft and the top three teams look set to select their quarterback of the future. But the rest? Who knows. The Eagles were firmly in the mix to snag a star that fell through the cracks before their trade out of the top 10, but who’s to say that there won’t be another move on Draft night?
Here’s a look at some potential Draft night trades for the Eagles. From the players involved to the compensation likely given in return, here’s a rough outline of what to expect if Howie Roseman does pick up the phone.
Zach Ertz
Did you know that the Eagles have Zach Ertz on the trade block? Oh you did?
Well it seems like it’s been a year since the first reports of “Eagles are allowing Ertz to speak to other teams” came out and still nothing has been done. There are two likely scenarios here: 1) Ertz will be involved in a draft day trade or 2) Ertz will be a post-June 1 trade.
I’m betting on the former. Even with some of the top tight ends in free agency signing with potential suitors, I still think one or two teams can come calling for Ertz’s services. Before you hit me with “ErTz WoN’t GeT tHaT tRaDe” please realize that other teams’ view of Ertz is way different than your view of him. He can and still will be an elite option at tight end for another team.
Carolina
Let’s say the top seven go like this:
- Jags – Lawrence
- Jets – Wilson
- SF – Fields/Lance/Jones (lol)
- Trade up – Fields/Lance
- Bengals – Sewell
- Dolphins – Chase/Pitts
- Lions – Slater
You’re looking at a scenario where either Ja’marr Chase or Kyle Pitts will be sitting there at 8. Weeks ago, this would be a spot where the Panthers could snag one of the top QBs. But now with Darnold in the fold, they could be more willing to trade down and recoup assets to build around him.
The Panthers currently have Dan Arnold and Ian Thomas at TE. They clearly need an upgrade. If Pitts is available at 8, this could be a tough trade to pull off. But if Chase is there, Howie needs to call and package Ertz with some picks to move up and get Chase.
The Rich Hill Trade value chart has the 8th pick at 406 value and the 12th pick at 347. The 70th pick has a value of 70 while the 84th has a value of 51. The Eagles should be able to combine the 12th and a third round pick plus Ertz to move to Carolina’s 8 plus a late round pick.
Eagles trade 12, 84, & Zach Ertz.
Panthers trade 8 & 151
Buffalo
The Eagles decided to stay put at 12. They select Jaycee Horn. We rejoice!
But there’s still a feeling of “we missed out on the top receivers”. Fret you not my children, there’s an opportunity for redemption at the back of the first round.
The Bills have Dawson Knox at tight end. Imagine what the offense can do with Zach Ertz in that spot.
The Bills need help at corner and EDGE the most in this draft. If they see players like Kwity Paye, Azeez Ojulari, Eric Stokes, Greg Newsome, and Caleb Farley all go ahead of their selection, they could look to move down.
The Eagles, with their 37th pick in hand, could see this as an opportunity to move back into the first and grab a receiver that they’ve met with a few times so far: Terrace Marshall.
The Bills do not have a selection in the fourth round, so this can be a multi-pick trade that benefits both teams. In a recent 32 person mock draft featuring people who cover each team, the Bills representative (Greg Tompsett) and I worked out the following deal:
Eagles trade 37, 84, 123, & Zach Ertz.
Bills trade 30, 93, 213, & 2022 4th round pick.
Andre Dillard
The “left tackle of the future”. Well, that hasn’t happened yet. Dillard’s first year was plagued by inconsistent playing time and a right tackle stint that made Jamon Brown look like Larry Allen. His second year didn’t even happen, missing the season with injury. However, that second season also featured Jordan Mailata showcase just how talented he is. If an offensive tackle needy team misses out on one of the top flight tackles in the draft (whether by choice or by other teams’ selections), the Eagles could be contacted in regards to Dillard.
Cincinnati
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire, right? Well the amount of smoke coming out of Cincinnati regarding Ja’Marr Chase rivals the smoke coming out of Willie Nelson’s house.
So what if the Bengals go for the LSU reunion at the 5th pick? That still leaves a void at left tackle for their star quarterback.
The Eagles could offer their 2019 first round pick in a trade to the Bengals, but would probably only fetch a fourth round pick for him. Would you rather have another offseason of Dillard getting beaten routinely by the defensive line, thus being benched or get value for him now?
The Bengals, having made the reunion pick and trading for a potential left tackle of the future, can now focus on using their second and third round choices on a new tight end and interior offensive linemen. I’m sure they’d be happy with Chase, Brevin Jordan, and Trey Smith, while adding Andre Dillard.
Eagles trade Andre Dillard.
Bengals trade 111.
Vikings
Offensive tackle wasn’t really a need for the Vikings going into the offseason, but then they cut Riley Reiff (who coincidentally signed with the Bengals).
Currently, the Vikings have Rashod Hill penciled in at left tackle. He’s largely been a swing tackle over his career and would hardly inspire confidence at the left tackle spot.
The Vikings have four fourth round picks. If they believe Dillard is an upgrade over Hill, and they don’t draft a tackle prior to their boatload of round four picks, they’d be smart to trade one of those picks to the Eagles.
Eagles trade Andre Dillard.
Vikings trade 125.
Colts
Anthony Castonzo retired this offseason after being one of the best left tackles in the league. Now the Colts have Sam Tevi being the new “bodyguard” for Carson Wentz.
With no third round pick this year, the Colts could opt to draft one of the top tackles in the draft at either 21 or 54. However, they also need help on defense: at corner and EDGE. So could Mike Groh and Press Taylor, both of whom know Andre Dillard, convince Frank Reich and Chris Ballard that Dillard was the best option for Wentz at left tackle?
They could. But what would the Colts have to offer? I doubt they’d part with their fourth round pick and then not pick again after 54 until 165.
They do have a plethora of running backs that Eagles coach Nick Sirianni is very familiar with. The Colts re-signed Marlon Mack to a one year deal, so he’s seemingly immovable. Jonathan Taylor isn’t going anywhere. Nyheim Hines is a big part of their plans. So that leaves Jordan Wilkins.
Wilkins, 27 in July, is a big back at 6′, 216 lbs, and ran a 4.53 at the combine in 2018. He’s buried on the depth chart and will most likely only see time if one of Mack, Taylor, or Hines get hurt.
If the Eagles really do not have any plans for Dillard and believe Mailata is the LT of the future, they could look to do a change of scenery trade with the Colts and give Sirianni a weapon to pair with Miles Sanders.
Eagles trade Andre Dillard & 234.
Colts trade Jordan Wilkins & 206.
Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire
