By now you've likely heard that (surprise!) Eagles general manager Howie Roseman is actively calling other front offices, looking for potential trades up and down the draft board ahead of Thursday's 2022 NFL Draft kickoff.
This is not a shocker. Roseman is one of the NFL's biggest deal-makers, a notorious trade master who regularly makes swaps on draft night.
The real question is: if Roseman pulls the trigger, what would a trade actually look like? What's he trying to accomplish on Thursday night?
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READ: Understanding the complicated legacy of Howie Roseman
For the answer we turn to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, who appeared on 97.5 The Fanatic on Wednesday morning to discuss what he's heard about Roseman's M.O. before the festivities begin.
Host John Kincade asked Schefter whether he'd be surprised if, come Friday morning, talk radio was filled with discussion of a "bold" Eagles trade. Here's what Schefter had to offer:
"SCHEFTER: What's your definition of bold?
NFL
"KINCADE: Top 6 or 7 pick.
"SCHEFTER: I don't think they're going that high. I don't think so. The cost is going to be too great, and I don't think there's going to be enough interest in someone to go that high.
"[...]
"I think it's the kind of thing that, if they basically get to a spot where all of a sudden there's a guy there at 10, 11, 12, they go up three, four, five spots to go get him. That's the kind of thing I think - if there's a guy they've identified and like - that's the kind of thing I think they'll do. Do I think they're going up to 6 tomorrow night, this dramatic move? I don't think they're doing that. They've worked too hard to accumulate all this draft capital to go and spend it on one guy. I just don't think they do that."
Schefter went on to say he does not envision a scenario where Roseman trades either of the two first-round picks the Eagles hold in 2023.
Okay, interesting. Roseman is willing to part with some capital... but not a ton. He wants talent, but he also recognizes the Eagles can stand to improve in multiple areas. I think that's smart.
If the Eagles want to trade up from 15 to 10, it'll take roughly 54 value points according to the Rich Hill trade value chart. The Eagles' earlier third-round pick (83rd overall) is worth 52 points. Does 15, 83, and one of their three fifth-rounders get the job done? Probably. And I think I'd do that deal if you really, really love a guy.
READ: Top Eagles positional needs heading into the draft
Now to wonder who exactly Roseman might want to target in the case of a draft-night slide. Could they look to shore up CB2 across from Darius Slay with a stud at the top of the board?
Schefter said Eagles fans dreaming of a star corner might want to pump the brakes:
"I happen to think the cornerbacks will go early, like [Derek] Stingley and Sauce Gardner. I don't think that either one of them will slide down to Philly's turn or be in that range."
Shoot.
If we assume these players are off the board by 10...
- Derek Stingley
- Sauce Gardner
- Evan Neal
- Aidan Hutchinson
- Travon Walker
- Ikem Ekwonu
- Charles Cross
- Kyle Hamilton
- One WR
- One QB
...then who makes sense for a trade-up? Is it Kayvon Thibodeaux? Is it Jermaine Johnson II? Maybe Jordan Davis? Or perhaps a wide receiver the team has its eyes on?
It's a great big question, one the Eagles' front office is surely pondering at this very moment.
Thursday night should bring some fireworks. As Bart Scott would say, can't wait.