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The Eagles should be Buyers at the NFL Trade Deadline

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The Eagles have the record, the roster, and the reason to be aggressive. With the NFC wide open and the core still in its prime, Howie Roseman may once again look to strike before the deadline. Five positions, in particular, stand out for me. Not necessarily because of failure, but because of opportunity.

The 2025 NFL trade deadline is just a little over a month away on Nov. 4th at 4 p.m. ET. 

The Positions

Defensive Tackle

The interior pressure has not been the same, and this is an issue. Jalen Carter is fighting through a shoulder injury. Moro Ojomo has been solid, but he is not yet where Milton Williams was. Jordan Davis has had a couple of the best games of his career, but despite that, the team still needs more.

There is a trickle-down effect when this defense does not collapse pockets. This erases the edge rushers when the QB steps up. Opposing quarterbacks have more time, so the Eagles’ cornerbacks have to cover for longer. As a result, you start to see more holding penalties and running lanes opening up. The Eagles are not going to find someone who can do what a healthy Jalen Carter can do, but they could benefit from pairing him with a player who can take some of his load off. The Eagles' identity starts in the trenches on both offense and defense. 

Eagles
Sep 4, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (98) walks off the field after being ejected during the first quarter of the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Tight End

This is the one that stands out for me. Nobody on the roster can replicate what Dallas Goedert does, not as a route-runner, not as a blocker, and not as a matchup piece who moves the chains on third down. It’s why it was a surprise to see the front office bypass the position in the 2025 draft.

The offense loses an entire layer of versatility when Goedert isn’t on the field. Another legitimate tight end would allow OC Patullo to lean on 12 personnel, pairing power and keeping the offense balanced when Goedert misses time and moves on. This is more than depth; it’s about maintaining their identity.

EDGE

Z’Darius Smith was a godsend until the sudden retirement announcement. He brought much-needed power and was a veteran presence off the edge. Now with him retiring, depth has become a big problem. With Nolan Smith and Ogbo Okoronkwo both on injured reserve, and Azeez Ojulari struggling to stay active on game days, the rotation has thinned considerably.

The Eagles still get interior pressure from Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter, but the outside juice isn’t what it was. Adding another edge rusher, someone with fresh legs and closing speed, would give this front the stamina it needs for a playoff push. This group could tire quickly otherwise. 

Eagles
Jan 12, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nolan Smith Jr. (3) looks on against the Green Bay Packers in an NFC wild card game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

CB2

I’ve been higher on Kelee Ringo than most, and the athletic traits are undeniable, but they need more consistency and reliability from him or Adoree on a week-to-week basis. The Eagles have learned over the years that you can never have too many corners. If the right value appears, don’t be surprised if Roseman adds another piece to the secondary for insurance down the stretch.

OL

The Eagles' offensive line is hurting and struggling more than it has in a decade. Landon Dickerson went into the season recovering, and he's been injured again. He is a warrior for trying to gut it out, but his level of play is not up to his standard.

Eagles
Nov 26, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles center Cam Jurgens (51) prepares to block Buffalo Bills defensive end Greg Rousseau (50) at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Cam Jurgens is recovering from offseason back surgery. Lane has been in and out for two games with a stinger. Tyler Steen has been solid, but is not quite the mauler that Becton was in the running game, and Mailata is playing well, but something seems off.

Maybe the continuity. Picking up another solid offensive lineman for depth is what the team needs to spell the injuries until everyone gets healthy. 

As always, thank you for reading!

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