The NFL trade deadline is just five days away and the Eagles' season is already nearing a crossroads. Sitting at 3-4 after back-to-back blowouts, the Birds' have to decide whether they still believe this season is worth fighting for from a front office perspective, or if it's better to begin work on a longer-term plan. It's a tricky spot to be in, but here's a look at a few of the options facing the Eagles over the next few days.
Team needs
Defensive tackle
Timmy Jernigan has missed five games with a broken foot and while his recovery appears to be encouraging, that won't give the coaching staff confidence. The position is already without Malik Jackson and with Hassan Ridgeway being placed on IR, it's Fletcher Cox and two recently-signed UDFA's against the world.
Linebacker
Cutting Zach Brown sounded good in theory, but he ranked third in team tackles at the time. The unit was without Nigel Bradham this week and he hasn't practiced this week yet, either. The depleted linebacker corps struggled massively against Dallas and that could be set to continue if help doesn't arrive soon.
Cornerback
This is tricky because it all comes down to perception. The Eagles pass defense is a total mess, whether you put it down to talent or scheme is a whole different conversation, but the end result is the same. Can an extra player really take some of that strain off the shoulders of Schwartz?
Wide receiver
Missing DeSean Jackson is one thing, but Mack Hollins has been disappointing in just about every sense, rookie J.J Arcega-Whiteside barely sees the field, and Nelson Agholor...let's not go there. Help may be needed if Jackson, who has been 'close' for weeks now, doesn't return soon.
But what can the Eagles give up outside of draft capital?
On the block:
Nelson Agholor
Carrying a cap hit of $9.3M really doesn't help matters unless Agholor is used as a sweetener in exchange for a player of a similar hit. The USC product has been sporadic this year, which has, unfortunately, become what's expected in terms of what we see on the field. A change of scenery may do him good, and the Eagles may even push 'JJAW' into slot duties to at least get him some exposure.
Rasul Douglas
He's been the Eagles best corner this season, but that's what makes him valuable. Doug Pederson stated that Mills and Darby would resume starting roles when healthy and while I disagree with that decision, if I'm Douglas, I'm fuming. That's the third year in a row it's happened and I would happily seek an opportunity to start for a team where I feel valued and won't be chained down by schematic deficiencies.
Halapoulivaati Vaitai
The future of the tackle position rests on the shoulders of Andre Dillard. Vaitai is servicable, but fellow draftmate Isaac Seumalo earned a new deal this offseason, while Vaitai did not. The Eagles may be able to groom Matt Pryor or Jordan Mailata into that role, but cashing in on Vaitai now may be an idea if that is the plan.
Andrew Sendejo
If the Eagles want to move a veteran to make a statement, Sendejo has been wildly unpredictable. Oh, and something about recovering a compensatory pick? That's important to Howie Roseman and if it means maybe even moving someone else to the position without a decrease in reliability, why not?
Vinny Curry
This would be a tough one for fans to stomach, but Curry hasn't exactly been great this year and Josh Sweat is starting to come into his own. The Eagles may wish to trade-off Curry for some interior help.
Next up, we'll break down some likely trade partners on the page below.
Likely partners
New York Jets
DT Leonard WIlliams/ WR Robby Anderson
Calling up an old flame is always a risk, but the love is still strong here. Joe Douglas knows the Eagles are high on Anderson as he was with the team when they tried to pursue him 12 months ago. The speedster is averaging over 15 yards per reception and would open up the offense while Jackson recovers without pressure.
The Jets have also been shopping Pro Bowl DT, Leonard Williams. He hasn't registered a sack this year, but the 25-year old is the perfect player to step in and help the Eagles return to their 'win-now' ways, thanks to the attention he draws from opposing linemen. They may have too many chefs in the kitchen come season's send, but it's a move that would restore the rampant reputation of that front four.
Denver Broncos
CB Chris Harris Jr./ LB Von Miller
By now, we all know the story. The Eagles and Chris Harris Jr. have been linked for close to a week now, with former Broncos DB coach Cory Undlin having worked with him previously. Harris has the versatility to play both inside and outside and has been massively productive for the Broncos.
The problem is, Denver, like Philly, are battling injury. Bryce Callahan and DeVante Bausby are sidelined, leaving Yiadom and 'CHJ' as the only healthy corners. However, if they traded Rasul Douglas in exchange for his services...that's a different conversation.
Von Miller has long been one of Denver's greatest assets and it's hard to imagine him lining up in another team's colors, although, midnight green would suit the elite talent who has 2.5 sacks on the season. Miller is versatile enough to be moved around the defense at will, but moving him out of Denver is almost impossible to imagine.
Atlanta Falcons
LB Vic Beasley
The Eagles need linebacker help and a little birdie tells me that the Falcons are 'aggressively' shopping their 2015 first-round pick. Beasley has not been the same since his stunning breakout in 2016 where he amassed 15.5 sacks, but even so, he could walk into the linebacker room and easily be the most talented in the room, and still have an upside high enough for the Eagles to develop.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns reportedly have an interest in Big V and are shopping two names in particular. WR Rashard Higgins and CB T.J Carrie. Higgins has wheels but comes with some odd concerns. A remnant of the last regime in Cleveland, he's not seeing the field anywhere near as much as he'd hoped and is vocally making his displeasure known. A change of scenery could be beneficial, but injury setbacks have kept the man who recorded 39 catches for 572 yards and 4 touchdowns last year, chained down...and that's the last thing the Eagles need.
As for Carrie, he's now in his sixth year and has looked relatively sharp so far. He has 27 tackles through six games and he's allowed just 24 completions on 35 targets. The former Raider is getting a lot more exposure due to Ward and Williams being sidelined, but if they're close to returning, he could be an instant bump up over Jalen Mills or at the very least a nickel upgrade if Schwartz wants to keep the Green Goblin out there.
Washington Redskins
LB Jon Bostic
He's not happy in Washington, put it that way. The ever-reliable linebacker criticized the offense recently and has been one of the lone defensive standouts, registering at least seven tackles in each of the last five games. Bostic would be a huge upgrade in the middle of the field and stop the heartbreak of seeing Jordan Hicks decimate in Arizona...at least, for a while.
Cincinnati Bengals
Geno Atkins
If it is defensive tackle help the Eagles want, this wiley vet may be among the best options available. He does carry three years worth of $11m+ cap hits, but the Eagles build from the ball out and aren't afraid to invest heavily to keep it thriving. Jernigan's shot at redeeming that previous contract may have been fired out of a silenced gun and the Eagles can't wait around for him to try again. Atkins is one of the lone standouts on a dying Cincy team, it makes sense to pry him away for one last big career push.
New England PatriotsWR Josh Gordon
WR Josh Gordon
The Josh Gordon situation is bizarre, especially since the troubled WR was placed on IR and commented on an official Instagram post looking very confused about it all. If New England want to ship him out, he's going to have interest. What's the harm in throwing them a little something to ensure first-dibs?
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DT Beau Allen/ LB Lavonte David
Former Eagles DT Beau Allen is seeing around 12 snaps per game in Tampa Bay, and in 2017, he accounted for close to 30% of defensive snaps. Like Curry, the weather may have been hotter, but the play has not been. Bringing Allen home in addition to another move would solidify the DT position for the forseeable future.
As for David, he's been mentioned in trade rumors for a while now. He's in fine form, too, adding 6 tackles in Sunday's loss to Carolina. The veteran is playing a heavy snap-count every week, but he's storming toward a third consecutive year of 100+ tackles, and the Eagles just lost a linebacker of that caliber in Zach Brown.
The difference with David however, is his coverage. He's allowing just 57.9% of passes thrown his way to be caught, and that number has dropped significantly from last year. With a pick to his name too, David would be a perfect pickup to lock down the middle of the field.
