Whew.. what a week for the Eagles, huh? Let’s pivot a little to a month from now and try to predict what Howard has planned for a draft day special.
Where were you when this happened?
Me? In euphoria.
There’s obviously still so much time between now and the draft and we’ve seen how quickly things can ramp up.. but let’s speculate.
Last year, the Eagles had a clear need for another WR and star power. Instead of waiting for a rookie to develop, Howie did the thing. I’d say that worked out.
With tons of players, both star and depth, coming up on contract years and seemingly on their way out of their current teams, is there a player out there that Howie can swoop in on and add to the 2023 arsenal while only sacrificing pick #30 of the Eagles (maybe a late round too)? Here are some thoughts at different positions:
Wide Receiver
Sure, WR isn’t a need because of the existence of Brown and Smith, but WR3 leaves A LOT to be desired for the Eagles. It’ll most likely be a combination of a rookie and cheap veteran (bye, Quez) but let’s just say…
Courtland Sutton
There are many reasons to trade for Sutton, but the number one, to me, is to feast yet again on a team giving up on a receiver with that much talent. While he’s not your typical slot receiver, plugging him into the offense and allowing Brown to play slot vs smaller DBs/LBs would create mismatches on top of the other mismatches. Hurts may just need to average 20 attempts a game to have 300 yards passing. It would be A LOT of money tied up into three wide receivers for the next few years, but it’s an offensive driven league.
The Broncos need draft capital. Getting a first rounder for a player they are moving on from anyway would be a no brainer.
Tee Higgins
That puts the squash on that, huh? But how many times have you seen a GM state unequivocally that a certain player isn’t going anywhere only for that player ends up going somewhere?
Higgins is in the last year of his rookie deal and is looking to get paid next year. The Bengals just signed left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. to a big time contract. Seems like they’re finally prioritizing trying to have Burrow stand up on two feet for more than a few minutes.
Again, it is not prudent nor is it Howie-like to invest so much money into three wide receivers, but it’s fun to think about a Brown/Smith/Higgins trio at WR with Goedert at TE.
EDGE
Josh Allen
The Jaguars, led by beloved Dougie P, are trending all the way up. What’s not trending up? Their upcoming financial situation. As we’ve seen with the Eagles, you need to capitalize on a rookie QB deal. That is especially true for a QB with a #1 overall pick contract. That $$$ is coming.
Sure, the Jags have three more years before they need to go that route but they spent big time money in the 2022 offseason and are currently only $5 million under the cap.
Josh Allen is entering his last year of his rookie deal (playing on fifth year option) and will most likely be moving on.
Allen, a product of Kentucky University, has 27.5 sacks in his first four years. He started off as a Pro Bowl rookie with 10.5 sacks and has kind of fizzled since, but a man of his talents would be unleashed on the Eagles defensive line.
Why do I mention his college? New Eagles LB coach D.J. Eliot was his defensive coordinator/LBs coach for two seasons.
Safety
Kevin Byard
Wouldn’t it be sweet for the Eagles to do this two years in a row with the same team?
There are conflicting reports floating around that the Titans approached Byard about a pay cut, he refused, and now he wants out. If this is true, Howie needs to send a proxy to Tennessee (there’s no way they’re letting him through the door).
Byard will be 30 in August, but he’s an All Pro. He’s from Philadelphia (moved to Georgia at 14). He’s the one.
Antoine Winfield Jr.
There are zero reports suggesting Winfield Jr. is available, but from the outside looking in: he is.
He’s on the final year of his rookie contract and the new Jessie Bates contract will probably be a starting point for negotiations.
If he’s on the way out, might as well get some draft compensation for him.
He’s not even 25 yet and has already established himself as one of the best safeties in the league. Again, this is just pure speculation but this would be a big splash for Eagles GM Howie Roseman.
Jeremy Chinn
While it looks like the Panthers will have a nice trio of safeties after signing Vonn Bell, it’s worth speculating if Chinn will ultimately get sent out.
Chinn is also on the last year of his deal and will most likely see the open market. He’s a chess piece in the defense, although he’s not great in coverage. The thought in Carolina is that he will play a little more in the box with Bell and Xavier Woods playing on the back end. If the situation changes, Howie needs to call.
Other position of need?
The Eagles obviously have other holes but trading a first round pick for them doesn’t make sense. Running back? No. Right guard? No. Punter? Well, maybe..
Photo by George Walker/Icon Sportswire
