Weighing Philadelphia Eagles’ trade options, from Zach Ertz to Julio Jones – Philadelphia Eagles Blog

PHILADELPHIA — The Eagles are about to hit the century mark on the commerce entrance. Will they usher in triple digits with a bang?

Since Howie Roseman turned basic supervisor in 2010, Philadelphia has executed 98 trades, second solely to the New England Patriots (111) over that point, in keeping with ESPN Stats & Data.

All of the wheeling and dealing go hand-in-hand with the Eagles’ philosophy the expertise acquisition and roster shaping window extends properly past NFL free company and the NFL draft. The most effective instance of that got here in 2017, when Philadelphia added a number of gamers to its Tremendous Bowl group late within the course of, together with buying and selling for beginning cornerback Ronald Darby in August and dealing for operating again Jay Ajayi on the commerce deadline in October.

The outcomes aren’t at all times so rosy, as evidenced by the commerce deadline acquisition of vast receiver Golden Tate in 2019, however the group continues to fireplace. The Eagles’ most up-to-date swap was a few weeks again after they acquired cornerback Josiah Scott from the Jacksonville Jaguars in trade for CB Jameson Houston and a 2023 sixth-round choose.

It’s an honest guess, given the unsettled state of affairs with tight finish Zach Ertz and the holes on the present roster, that trades No. 99 and 100 aren’t far off. Let’s take a more in-depth look to see if there are any blockbusters in retailer for Roseman and the Eagles:

The Eagles are linked to nearly each commerce candidate who pops up as a result of they at all times inquire when difference-makers turn into accessible, and infrequently put in markers ought to the asking worth fall inside a variety of what they’d be prepared to spend. Given the caliber of participant Jones is, it could be malpractice if administration didn’t place a telephone name to Atlanta.

play

Dianna Russini breaks down what might occur within the subsequent few weeks ought to the Falcons try and commerce Julio Jones.

Philadelphia might use a veteran vast receiver. There’s not a participant over 25 years outdated within the room presently, and the 4 wideouts who would possibly see probably the most motion this season — Jalen Reagor, DeVonta Smith, Greg Ward and Travis Fulgham — have a mixed 32 begins within the NFL. Jones wouldn’t solely present the younger guys the best way however flip the Eagles’ assault into some of the harmful within the NFL.

There are a few points, although.

The Eagles are tight in opposition to the wage cap with about $4 million in area. Jones is scheduled to make a base wage of $15.3 million and carry a cap variety of $23 million. Whereas there are methods to therapeutic massage the numbers to make it work, it’s honest to wonder if spending large cash and draft capital for a 32-year-old Jones is the wisest transfer for a group in transition, particularly given the assets it has poured into the place of late. The Eagles used first-round picks on Reagor and Smith over the previous two years.

The best transfer is at hand them the keys and permit them to be taught on the job, whereas including a inexpensive veteran who can present steering however gained’t have an effect on their targets as dramatically.

That stated, it’s by no means sensible to rely Philly completely out of something.

Trying to find indicators of motion on the Ertz entrance

This has turn into one lengthy, drawn-out break up.

The writing on the wall has been there for the reason that final offseason after contract extension talks between the Eagles and Ertz broke off, but free company and the draft got here and went with none motion. Ertz, 30, has had suitors, however Roseman continues to carry out for higher gives.

“This isn’t a man within the twilight of his profession. He’s a man nonetheless in his prime. A 12 months in the past presently, everybody was speaking about the place he ranked with the highest tight ends within the league,” Roseman stated in early Could. “So we really feel actually good concerning the type of participant he’s and we’ve to do what’s finest for our group as properly, and once more we’ve numerous respect for him and proceed to stay a member of the Philadelphia Eagles. If one thing adjustments, we’ll replace you guys.”

Ertz has stayed away from the Eagles’ organized group actions within the interim.

June 1 has been considered as a doable pivot level on this state of affairs. If Ertz is traded or launched after this date, the Eagles would obtain an extra $3.5 million in cap reduction this season. Whereas that’s nothing to sneeze at, neither facet views June 1 as a big marker on this case from what we collect. May it assist nudge issues alongside as soon as the extra reduction is secured? Maybe, but it surely doesn’t really feel as if the Eagles are sitting on a deal and ready to make a transfer.

The expectation stays Ertz might be off the group ultimately, however we’d not be on the finish of the highway fairly but as Philadelphia appears for one thing higher than a low Day 3 choose.

The Professional Bowl guard confirmed final week he has been the topic of commerce discussions this offseason. Given Brooks, 31, is coming off an Achilles tear — his second in three seasons — he understood why the Eagles would entertain transferring him, however wasn’t totally happy with the method.

Brandon Brooks, on being the topic of commerce talks and the one factor he wished went otherwise. pic.twitter.com/1fBQ4mruBr

— Tim McManus (@Tim_McManus) Could 27, 2023

“The one factor I want about that, really, was as a substitute of listening to about it from my mother — my mother being like, ‘The place are we going?’ — it could be good to get a telephone name [from the Eagles] like, ‘Hey, that is what’s happening,’” Brooks stated Thursday. “Apart from that, it’s a enterprise, man. I by no means lose sight of that.”

It will be laborious to not really feel like your days are numbered as soon as these commerce discussions come to gentle, however Brooks agreed to a contract restructure in March and has been taking part within the Eagles’ offseason program, all indicators he’s in all probability sticking round — for now.

What trades in addition to Ertz might get completed?

The cornerback spot reverse Darius Slay stays unsettled. If the Eagles don’t find yourself with one of many high remaining free-agent corners, comparable to Steven Nelson, they may go the commerce path to get their CB2 very like they did with Darby in 2017.

Linebacker might additionally use some bolstering — former Eagles LB Jordan Hicks was simply granted permission from Arizona to hunt a commerce — they usually might use a veteran vast receiver and maybe one other tight finish to assist make up for the inevitable lack of Ertz.

Lest we overlook, there are 5 months between now and the commerce deadline in late October, giving Roseman loads of time to tweak his roster and get to commerce No. 100.