The NFL’s trade deadline is less than one week away and we all know Howie Roseman loves to make trades.
And now he’s in a situation where the Eagles could really use one. They’re sitting at 3-4 and at the very best they’ll be .500 when they come back from London for their bye week.
The Eagles could use some help at several positions, but this is how I’d rank their needs:
1. Receiver
It might not be completely obvious because Alshon Jeffery is playing so well, but the Eagles haven’t gotten nearly enough production from their receivers aside from him. Specifically, Mike Wallace was supposed to be the other starting outside receiver, a guy who could blow the top off the defense, and the Eagles have really missed that since he went down with a fractured fibula. They also haven’t had Mack Hollins all season after he was put on IR before the opener. Maybe one or both of those guys can return this season, but it’s hard to think the Eagles can really count on them.
The Eagles reportedly offered one of their two second-round picks in next year’s draft for Amari Cooper, but the Cowboys outbid them, sending a first-rounder to Oakland. Oh well. The Eagles were right to not dangle a first-round pick, but their willingness to offer a second-rounder shows they’re serious about making a trade and that they think they need some help at receiver.
The Eagles are averaging just 22.0 points per game this season. That’s down from 28.6 in 2017. Adding another weapon for Wentz would certainly help.
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2. Defensive lineman
I thought this was a big need before we found out Derek Barnett is gone for the season. Before Barnett’s injury, I thought the Eagles definitely needed to add a defensive tackle and I still think that need is greater than one for a defensive end, but at this point, either works. They just need another talented player for that front four that hasn’t lived up to expectations so far.
Sure, maybe Tim Jernigan does come off the NFI at some point this year, but, again, I don’t think the Eagles can count on that. And for last week’s game, the Eagles had Fletcher Cox, Treyvon Hester and Bruce Hector as their only active defensive tackles because Haloti Ngata missed another game with a calf injury. The Eagles’ defense is all about getting pressure and they could really use one more guy to help with that up front.
3. Defensive back
I think safety is a pretty legitimate concern even with Avonte Maddox playing OK. He’s still a rookie playing out of position and the Eagles miss Rodney McLeod. Now, they’re missing Sidney Jones for some time because of that hamstring injury. I don’t think corner is as big a need as some folks do, but they could use a good one. And if a guy like Patrick Peterson is really available, just about any team in the hunt would be foolish to not be interested. He’s a great player.
4. Running back
For some, this is at the top of the list. Not for me. If the Eagles were to bring in a player like Le’Veon Bell, that would obviously help them, but I’m not sure the Eagles are going to be willing to spend a ton of money or assets to bring that guy in.
I know folks are down on Corey Clement and Wendell Smallwood, but I think those guys can actually be good enough for the stretch run. And I’m assuming Darren Sproles will be back from that hamstring injury at some time this season. Even if the Eagles went out and got a running back, they’re still going to use a rotation.
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It’s important to remember that the Eagles might make a trade where they don’t see the biggest glaring hole in the roster. To make a trade, they have to feel comfortable in what they’re giving up. Sometimes there will be a possible trade for what they deem as their second or third or whatever need, but the value is right. That could very well happen. And it also matters what position that player plays. There are some positions that are easier to teach up and catch up in a short amount of time. All that stuff plays a factor.
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