The NFL Draft is just a few days away and it looks as though Howie Roseman is wasting no time in exploring potential trade scenarios. According to ESPN’s Todd McShay, the Eagles could be looking to pair up with a QB-needy team in a trade back even further into the depths of the first round. Here are 7 teams and 7 potential targets the Eagles could be eyeing up in a move back.
New England Patriots (Pick #15) WR DeVonta Smith
If trading up for Jaylen Waddle is a no-go and both corners are assumed to be off the board, switching picks with the QB-needy Patriots should at least offer enough insurance to snag the Heisman-winning DeVonta Smith.
The Alabama wideout has seen his stock wobble in recent weeks due to size concerns, but nobody can doubt his ability to create separation in off-coverage, to play beyond his frame, and to draw the attention of just about every member of the secondary.
If all other options are exhausted, dropping back a few spots and adding a receiver who posted back-to-back seasons with 1,000+ receiving yards and double-digit touchdowns and totalled 1,856 yards alone last year, averaging 18.5 per catch.
Las Vegas Raiders (Pick #17) CB Caleb Farley
If it’s a cornerback the Eagles want then dropping back 5 spots to pick up Virginia Tech’s Caleb Farley is hardly a bad idea. Had it not been for a back procedure and a questionable injury history then he would be mentioned in the same breath as both Patrick Surtain II and Jaycee Horn.
Farley is another long corner at 6’2 with CB1 upside. He can move like a nickel DB, hit like a linebacker and boasts impressive production around the ball. Although he’s a little raw in the basics like when it comes to keeping a low center of gravity during his back-pedal and leveraging himself in press, he’s got all the upside in the world. The Eagles just need to make sure they don’t repeat what happened with Sidney Jones…
Washington Football Team ( Pick #19) OT Christian Darrisaw
At 6’5, 322 lbs, Christian Darrisaw would be a perfect replacement for Andre Dillard if the team were ready to move on and begin developing a potential heir to Lane Johnson’s throne, assuming Jordan Mailata will take the LT reins. At 21-years-old, he’s significantly younger than Dillard and while he does seem to look a little unaware at times, would be being coached by one of the best OL coaches in the entire league.
The Eagles are never a team to shy away from adding offensive linemen to their roster and there is a significant drop-off in talent behind the duo of Mailata and Dillard.
Chicago Bears ( Pick #20) WR Rashod Bateman
No premier wideout, no problem. Bateman runs a crisp route-tree, is physical through the stem, and embodies everything that the new Head Coach would want in an X-wideout to partner alongside Jalen Reagor. He may not have the dazzling speed of Jaylen Waddle or the appeal of Ja’Marr Chase, but Bateman may be the most well-rounded receiver out there and offers the size and effort that the Eagles will be depending on from their X-receiver.
Indianapolis Colts (Pick #21) LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
His speech on why he fits the Eagles should absolutely play into this move. There would be several appealing options at 21 including plenty of EDGE candidates, but there may be no better fit for this defense than ‘JOK’ who is a versatile defender that can wreak havoc wherever he lines up.
Speed is the name of the game here and considering the Eagles were highly optimistic about a very raw Davion Taylor, they’d be getting the finished product here who can partner Eric Wilson and Alex Singleton, giving this Zimmer’esque defense the stud linebacker it craves.
New York Jets (Pick #23) CB Greg Newsome
Greg Newsome II is a 6’1 cornerback out of Northwestern who brings plenty of ball production, functional athleticism, and stunning speed to the table opposite Darius Slay. He’s scarily intelligent and has some of the most fluid hips in the entire class, let alone for someone of his frame. Speed and durability are the concerns here, but the Eagles are no stranger to either of those red flags and they’re far more tolerable at pick #23 than in the mid-teens.
The Eagles could absolutely slide down to the mid-’20s, bolster the secondary and probably add a few key developmental players while doing so.
New Orleans Saints (Pick #28) WR Elijah Moore
Elijah Moore could be a fun first-round sleeper here. The former Ole Miss receiver put together a total of 2,441 receiving yards during three seasons of SEC play. He averaged 13.9 yards per reception in his junior year while scoring 8 touchdowns.
Moore won’t have as much wear and tear on his body and if Nick Sirianni is truly a WR whisperer, then hello shiny new YAC slot receiver. Moore has great quickness and agility that could help any offense moving forward.
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