The NFL draft is mere days away as finishing touches and tweaks go on the final mocks from Philadelphia to Kansas City. The latter is the host city, but the Eagles are the one team everyone will be watching the closest once the clock officially starts ticking in the first round.
Nobody knows what general manager Howie Roseman has up his sleeve. He promised reporters last week that he was going to take a “unique player” regardless of position. Some have taken the comment to mean that Texas running back Bijan Robinson could be in play at pick No. 10. Interpret that as you will. What Roseman seemed most proud about when he addressed the media was his unpredictable nature.
“You know, I would say this: Nobody has any idea what we’re going to do. I know that,” Roseman said on April 20. “And so, for me to think that there’s actually people in this league talking to people and saying, hey, I’m going to draft this guy at 10, but don’t tell anyone, this is a huge game of poker, and all you want to affect is the outcome of your desired results.”
4 Potential First-Round Trades for Eagles to Consider
Bijan Robinson Slips, Eagles Trade Back
If the Eagles were to pull the trigger on Bijan Robinson, it would probably happen after they trade back. It would make a lot of sense – assuming Robinson starts slipping down the draft board – to see them send the No. 10 overall pick to the New York Jets in exchange for the No. 15 pick and veteran cornerback Bryce Hall who lost his starting job last year. Philly could use depth at their secondary, plus Hall is entering the final year of his rookie deal. And he shares the same sports agency as Jalen Hurts. Meanwhile, the Jets could grab Jaxon Smith-Njigba as a shiny new weapon for Aaron Rodgers there.
+Proposed Trade: No. 10 pick to NY Jets for No. 15 and CB Bryce Hall, plus a 2024 4th-rounder.
Watch Early Run on Quarterbacks
There are several teams behind the Eagles looking for a franchise quarterback, like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Are they content to head into the 2023 campaign with Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask duking it out for the starting job? Maybe. However, if there is an opportunity to get all the way up to No. 10 and grab Will Levis or Anthony Richardson, you would have to think they would listen. If so, the Eagles might be able to convince them to give up No. 19 and No. 50 in the deal. That would be the sweet spot for Roseman to draft Georgia edge rusher Nolan Smith who appears to be the apple of his eye.
+Proposed Trade: No. 10 pick to Tampa Bay for No. 19 and No. 50, plus a future 4th-rounder.
Eagles Go All-In, Move Up
Everyone is predicting the Eagles to trade down in the first round, but don’t count out a surprise move up the board. There’s a lot of smoke around the Arizona Cardinals looking to unload pick No. 3 in Round 1. If that’s the case, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Howie Roseman put an exploratory phone call in. Remember, old pal Jonathan Gannon is now the head coach out there. Alabama edge Will Anderson Jr. or Texas Tech edge Tyree Wilson could be the target. The starting price would be No. 10 and No. 30, with a future draft pick likely needed to hammer it out. Maybe a 2024 second-rounder gets it done.
+Proposed Trade: No. 10 pick, No. 30 pick, 2024 second-rounder to Arizona for No. 3.
The Derrick Henry Package
Look, the Tennessee Titans aren’t going to give one-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year Derrick Henry away for nothing. It’s just not going to happen. Then again, there is chatter down there that new general manager Ran Carthon wants to start rebuilding the roster. He could stay put and take an impact offensive tackle like Paris Johnson Jr. or Peter Skoronski at No. 11.
Then, the Titans call the Eagles to talk about skipping the line for Bijan Robinson. Philadelphia has put out enough noise to make teams think they’ll take Robinson at No. 10. The Titans and Eagles link up on a blockbuster trade for a second straight year, with Henry serving as the ultimate pot sweetener.
+Proposed Trade: No. 10 pick to Tennessee for Derrick Henry.
Photo by John Jones/Icon Sportswire
