The Indianapolis Colts sent the NFL into a tailspin last night by revealing that star running back Jonathan Taylor is available for trade. It didn’t take long for the rumor mill to start spinning and naturally, the Philadelphia Eagles and GM Howie Roseman came up in conversation fairly promptly.
The Eagles giving up any kind of asset for a running back might sound like an alien concept, but it’s not. Taylor only has one more year left on his contract, making him affordable for this year at least, and it’s not like the value of running backs is going up.
Building on from that, we’ve listed 3 hypothetical trades that could land the Eagles one of the most dominant playmakers in the NFL.
2024 2nd round pick, 2024 2nd round pick (Saints own), and a 2025 3rd round pick for Jonathan Taylor
The Eagles will have to give up significant value to acquire Taylor and the Saints pick is just the one to do it. Giving up their own 2nd rounder and the Saints’ second-rounder could be enough to entice the Colts while adding a future 3rd round pick to help make their case.
While the Colts could be looking for a Christian McCaffrey kind of deal, the likelihood of that happening is very slim due to the market and the recent talk about RB value.
2024 2nd round pick, 2024 2nd round pick (Saints own), RB Kenneth Gainwell, and DE Derek Barnett
You’re looking at this deal and asking yourself why would the Eagles move Gainwell and why would the Colts entertain the idea of Barnett. Well if Philly is acquiring a running back then it makes zero sense to keep Gainwell with him losing snaps to Taylor and Swift. Ha, get it? Taylor – Swift? No? Well someone needs their coffee…
As for Barnett, the Colts could use a pass rusher that is in the final year of his contract. Barnett will be out to prove that he’s worth the first-round pick that was once invested in him. He’ll be fighting for a new contract and there’s no better place to do that than with a new team.
2024 2nd round pick, 2024 2nd round pick (Saints own), 2025 5th round pick, RB Rashaad Penny, and WR Quez Watkins
Just to set the record straight, the foundation of any deal that the Eagles can make will have to include their 2nd round picks for next season. Which is why I’m being repetitive with them. There is no world where they offer a first for Taylor in addition to any more draft capital but I can see them moving their second-rounders in 2024 with their eyes set on the 2025 draft.
As for this deal, it may not be my favorite due to the inclusion of Quez Watkins but it could be necessary. Watkins is in a very odd place right now with the Eagles. He fell off a bit last season and had a major case of the dropsies. This year could be a redemption season but would you choose that over having Jonathan Taylor? I didn’t think so.
Shane Steichen would be reunited with Quez which could help the WR find a perfect home in Indy. They’ll also get Rashaad Penny who could become their bell cow back for the foreseeable future. Penny is on a very team-friendly deal and has been one of the more efficient running backs in the game over the last several years. On top of that the Colts will receive two second-rounders for 2024 and a fifth-rounder for 2025.
Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire
