Never consider Howie Roseman content to rest on his laurels. Days after orchestrating a genius trade for All-Pro safety Kevin Byard, the Philadelphia Eagles are reportedly looking to pilfer more talent. No names have been linked to them, but smoke is very much in the air.
According to ESPN’s Diana Russini, Roseman is “not done” and the savvy front office executive has been working the phones ahead of the deadline on October 31. It’s unclear what position the Eagles would target. The roster is fairly loaded at all spots, although depth at offensive line and cornerback would be good educated guesses. Starting right guard Cam Jurgens is on injured reserve with a foot injury while starting right tackle Lane Johnson (ankle) fights through a right ankle sprain. Cornerback? Well, it’s been a week-to-week adventure in the slot ever since starter Avonte Maddox was lost for the season. So, yes, moves could be made.
“First and foremost, you have to get them to learn the system so they’re ready to play,” head coach Nick Sirianni said when asked about his process for acclimating new players. “It really works with the people we have in this building. Our players getting excited about the new faces in here and talking to them. That’s the beginning part because it’s all about connecting.”
Top 5 Options for Eagles at Trade Deadline
CB Patrick Surtain: The Broncos are expected to be huge sellers and no one is off-limits as Sean Payton looks to reshape the roster. The 23-year-old cornerback would be a sneaky good move for an Eagles secondary that is aging fast — Darius Slay turns 33 in January; James Bradberry just hit 30 in August — plus the No. 9 overall pick from the 2021 draft remains on a cheap rookie deal. Problem is, the compensation for Surtain will be massive. The Broncos will probably want multiple picks, maybe a first-rounder and a second-rounder. Is he worth it? Probably. Surtain recorded an 86.7 coverage grade in 2022, including 12 games where he allowed less than 25 receiving yards.
OT Trent Brown: Do the Eagles need an offensive tackle? Not really. Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson are two of the best players at their positions. However, the chance to add a mountain of a man — Brown checks in at 6-foot-8 and 370 pounds — could prove too appealing for a team that values the trenches more than any franchise in the NFL. Brown, who can play right or left tackle, leads all offensive tackles in the NFL with an 89.3 overall grade. He’ll only be available in a trade if the Patriots (2-5) decide to bail on the season.
LB Danielle Hunter: The Eagles own a vicious pass rush, anchored by Josh Sweat and Haason Reddick, and their 24.0 total sacks rank third-best in the NFL. They are so talented along the defensive line that Brandon Graham has been limited to 132 snaps (31%). Help is not needed there. Then again, it’s not every day that the league leader in sacks becomes available. Hunter has nine sacks in seven games to take the top spot. Howie Roseman would be wise to make a phone call just to gauge the asking price. If nothing else, he could make a move just to block another contender from getting better.
CB Jaylon Johnson: Matt Eberflus and Nick Sirianni are good friends from their days on the same coaching staff in Indianapolis. Stash that information in your brain. Johnson has been angling for a contract extension, yet the track record for stud players on expiring deals in Chicago hasn’t been good (see: Roquan Smith and Robert Quinn). There’s a good case to be made that the Bears send the best coverage cornerback packing — and a move for a rising young star (Johnson turned 24 in April ) would likely cost multiple draft picks.
RB Derrick Henry: So, um, just throwing it out there. Henry was rumored to be in play for Philadelphia back in April, although that was prior to the blockbuster trade for D’Andre Swift. Still, you would have to think any team trying to win a Super Bowl would inquire about a two-time rushing champion with 8,760 career rushing yards and 84 total touchdowns.
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