Eagles' Top Hypothetical Trades to Make Splash in 2024 NFL Draft
Howie Roseman has found a way to get to work and improve the Eagles roster every year around this time.
This offseason has been no different. While it didn't feel like they would have the cap space to make a lot of notable moves they have already worked to bring in Saquon Barkley, C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Bryce Huff among others.
It once again makes the Eagles one of the most intriguing and scary teams in the NFC. Coming off a season where they looked like Super Bowl contender before a late-season collapse, they could be back in the Super Bowl picture.
But Roseman shouldn't be discounted from making at least one more splashy move this offseason. The Eagles are 13th in total draft capital and fourth in cap space, with $32.7 million right now, per Spotrac.
That's going to give Roseman the freedom to make some moves if he wants. If the Eagles want to make a splash during the draft, these trades would do the trick.
Pick Up Another First-Rounder for Haason Reddick
Ravens Receive: EDGE Haason Reddick
Eagles Receive: No. 30 pick overall
The Eagles have made it fairly obvious that trading Reddick before or during the draft is a move they are considering. They moved back his $1 million roster bonus to April 1, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN,
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport added the report that the Eagles have given Reddick permission to seek a trade. He's in the final year of his contract and signing Bryce Huff has left Reddick with a questionable role entering the season.
Both the Arizona Cardinals and Atlanta Falcons have been linked to the pass-rusher. However, it isn't always the reported suitors that wind up pulling the trigger on a deal.
In this case, it's another team with a big need for pass-rush help in the Baltimore Ravens. Last season, Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy were their most productive players on the outside but they both remain unsigned as free agents.
The Ravens don't usually like to sign free agents until the point where they don't count against the compensatory formula. Trading for one wouldn't affect the comp pick formula and would address the need with a needle-moving talent.
The Eagles would be cashing in on an asset whose contract is about to expire anyway while the Ravens would be gearing up for another run at the AFC championship.
Trade Up for a Cornerback
Seahawks Receive: 2024 first-round pick (No. 22 overall), 2024 second-round pick (No. 53 overall)
Eagles Receive: 2024 first-round pick (No. 16 pick overall), 2024 third-round pick (No. 81 overall)
Roseman has a history of trading up and down in the draft. Some general managers have some tendencies that lean one way or the other. Last year, they traded up to pick No. 9 from No. 10. They traded back from No. 62 to 65 and also traded way up in the third round to get Sydney Brown.
Either way, don't put it past them to make an aggressive move up the board to go and get a prospect they really like.
In this case, it would be finding a successor to either Darius Slay or James Bradberry. Both struggled last season but have contracts that made it impossible for Philadelphia to go in another direction.
There are a few cornerbacks who could be worthy of a first-round pick. Quinyon Mitchell, Terrion Arnold and Kool-Aid McKinstry are all in our top 15. But they could all three be gone by the time the Jaguars get on the clock at 17.
In this scenario, the Eagles take advantage of having two second-round picks while the Seahawks don't have any. Seattle would get an opportunity to trade into the second round and the Eagles would still retain their total number of picks.
It's a win-win for both parties that would see the Eagles grab a corner who could have a starting job by the end of the season.
Bring in a Young Corner with Starter Potential
Browns Receive: 2024 second-round pick (No. 53 overall)
Eagles Receive: CB Greg Newsome II
As previously noted, the Eagles could really use younger options on the outside of their secondary.
Darius Slay and James Bradberry were one of the best cornerback duos of 2022 but 2023 reminded us how quickly players can age at the position. Slay will be 33 next season and missed multiple games with knee and back injuries last season. Bradberry was downright bad, giving up 11 touchdowns.
Cap constraints most likely forced the Eagles to stick with both veterans, but finding successors is a big piece of the offseason puzzle that hasn't been completed.
An alternative to drafting one that may or may not take some time to adapt to the league would be trading for a younger corner on a cheap deal. Greg Newsome is on the fourth year of his rookie contract. The Browns have a fifth-year option, but his 2024 salary is just $2.4 million.
Newsome doesn't have much ball production (two interceptions in three years), but he has never given up a passer rating above 85.6 in a single season.
The Browns already have a lot of money invested in Denzel Ward and Martin Emerson was even better than Newsome last season.
That might make him the odd man out as the Browns won't be able to pay all three down the line and they don't have a lot of draft capital in this year's event.
Visit B/R's NFL Scouting Department hub for scouting reports on all of the top prospects.