The Eagles are only a half-game out of first place after the Cardinals dismantled the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night.
CBS' Jason La Canfora reported early Sunday that Howie Roseman will be aggressive at the deadline in an attempt to win a very bad division:
"Howie is on the prowl already," one rival general manager said. "He's looking for action. If there is a trade to be made he'll do it. Bringing in a free agent from the outside is tougher now and more risky with COVID, and he loves to make trades anyway. I'll bet you anything he gets something done before the deadline."
Does this Dallas loss push Howie to get more talent for a playoff push? Of course, we all know Howie is "aggressive" at the trade deadline. Just look at the last two trade deadlines that netted the Eagles Golden Tate and Genard Avery. Oh, not good examples? Sorry.
The report states that linebacker will be an area of focus. The Eagles are currently last in total money tied to linebackers at $3.8 million. Howie traded for Genard Avery last year and he was converted to edge rusher. Is this the year the Eagles finally go out and grab a legitimate MIKE? Maybe someone who has awareness? Someone who can tackle? Time will tell, but let's take a look at some options, plus other positions of need:
Linebackers
Haason Reddick
Yes, I'm writing about him again.
Reddick was an absolute beast at Temple. 149 tackles, 17.5 sacks, and one INT in his four years.
However, he's been through three different head coaches and defensive coordinators in his four years in the league. He's only played on 51% of the defensive snaps so far through five games and has ten tackles.
Free him.
Zach Cunningham
He's very good. He's second in the league with 61 tackles. So yeah, won't happen.
But it's worth an attempt.
If Howie is suddenly going to change his ways and value a legitimate linebacker, then he needs to call Houston.
He did sign a $58 million extension in August and carries a cap hit of $11 million and up starting next year through 2024. But if the Eagles find a way to jettison their higher contracts given to the older/non-productive players, then they'll be able to fit the contract.
The Texans do not have a first or a second-round pick in 2021. A new regime will want to build their team the way they want, no early-round picks hinder that. Send Houston a second.
(Note: I was informed that he has a worse coverage grade than #47. Uh. Well.. still worth a try?)
Deion Jones
Another player on a long extension (signed 4-year extension in 2019), Deion Jones is someone who could thrive in Philadelphia.
After an injury-plagued 2018, he returned last year to post 110 tackles in all 16 games. His 2017 Pro Bowl year came with Marquand Manuel as his defensive coordinator. Who is in Philadelphia? Marquand Manuel.
He's played in all six games this season and has 40 tackles and one interception. He's not great in coverage, but he's better than #47. Ok, that's not saying much.
The Falcons are an absolute dumpster fire. They need to rebuild that defense, so Jones may not be available. But it's definitely worth exploring to reunite an impact defender with the coach who helped him get his only Pro Bowl.
*Last season, the guys at The Draft Network built their "perfect linebacker" and our friend Benjamin Solak' picked Jones' range for that blueprint:
Myles Jack
This is my dream, well other than Reddick.
Fresh off a new extension in 2019, Jack's contract is probably too rich for the Eagles, but man would he be great for the defense.
He is the lone (I think) member of the defense that took the Jaguars to the AFC Championsip game a few years ago. He recovered a fumble that was incorrectly called back, which would've sent the Jaguars to the Super Bowl to face the Eagles.
He's had some health issues the last couple of years, so he'll fit right in.
But if Howie is intent on bringing a young, dominant linebacker to the Eagles, Myles Jack is the guy.
Note: Also Avery Williamson on the Jets. But this article is long enough already.
Let's "tackle" (hehe) other positions on the next page.
Photo by MSA/Icon Sportswire
Running Back
The good news: Miles Sanders should be back after the bye. His 1-2 week prognosis should definitely be treated as if he will miss those full two weeks and bring him back for week 11.
The bad news: The Eagles are now relying on Boston Scott and Corey Clement versus the Giants and Cowboys.
Sure, that pair could probably get the Eagles' offense through two very, very, very, bad defenses. But they still need a legitimate back up.
Jordan Howard
Remember him?
Howard owns the record for most carries for an Eagles running back under Doug Pederson with 23.
From games 1-9, Howard had the 15th most rushing yards in the league with 525. He ended the season with 525. Remember that "day-to-day", "week-to-week", "we'll see" injury designations? Yeah that was fun.
This season, Howard has 18 carries for 14.. yes 14.. yards and three touchdowns. He's been a healthy scratch the last two games. Bring him back.
Jamaal Williams
With Aaron Jones in a contract year, this may not be an option. But if rookie A.J. Dillon continues to impress with his 5.0 YPC, Williams may be expendable this season.
Williams is in his fifth year and is also a free agent at the end of the season. He has a 4.3 YPC average and is a factor in Green Bay's passing game. That combination makes him appealing for the Eagles.
Again, this may be farfetched due to the Packers' situation with Jones and their situation with their receiving corps, but he would be a good pick up to help the Eagles RB situation.
Kerryon Johnson
He was once lauded as a great pick for the Lions in 2018, but Kerryon Johnson has now found himself to be RB3 for Detroit. The Lions drafted D'Andre Swift and signed ageless Adrian Peterson, relegating Johnson to just 25 carries in five games.
Johnson had 641 yards in 10 games as a rookie in 2018, dropped down to 403 in eight last season, and has 80 in five this year.
Why not give the former Auburn star a shot?
Frank Gore
This is a fun one! The Jets are bad. Very bad. Really bad. Why make an Eagles legend suffer there?
Former almost-Eagle Frank Gore brings durability and leadership and, I would assume, welcome a chance at going back to the playoffs. He's plodding to a 3.3 YPC, but it's the Jets.
That's not to say the Eagles run blocking is much better, it's not. But bringing a guy like Gore to the Eagles would not only help mentor the young running backs, it could provide a McCown-type mentorship to Wentz as well.
Other positions that could interest the Eagles
David Njoku - tight end
Does he want to be traded or not? There have been conflicting reports on that matter, but it doesn't change the fact that the former first-rounder is an afterthought in Cleveland.
With Ertz out a month, and Goedert still ailing, the mother of all 12 personnel offenses could use Njoku's presence.
His fifth-year option was picked up, but he can be cut prior to the season with no cap hit.
Andrew Berry came here from Cleveland, had Howie trade Cleveland a 4th rounder for Genard Avery, and now is back in Cleveland with that 4th rounder. He owes us.
Alex Mack - OL
Yes, I know he's a center. Yes, I know Jason Kelce is invincible (please no jinx). But Alex Mack played C/G at Cal way back in 2009.
The Falcons are over the cap next season and could be ready to jettison some expensive veterans. Trading Mack would save them $8 million. Could the Eagles and Jeff Stoutland bring Mack back to his college days and stabilize the right guard position? I mean.. anything is better than Jamon Brown.
Photo by MSA/Icon Sportswire
