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Who could be on the trade block during the NFL Draft?

Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

For weeks, fans around the NFL have concocted several different scenarios to trade up and down in the draft. In some instances, those moves involved picks, some involved players and some involved a combination of both. While the Eagles are not in possession of a key trade chip (like Darrelle Revis or Branden Albert), they do have a set of players that could become expendable given a new staff, new schemes on both sides of the ball, and their previous performance. The team has 9 draft picks, which may seem like a decent amount of ammunition for trades or adding talent to the roster, but there is always room for more. As of right now, the Eagles have the following draft picks:

Original Owner Round Overall
Eagles 1 4
Eagles 2 35
Eagles 3 67
Eagles 4 101
Eagles 5 136
Eagles 7 210
Browns 7 212
Buccaneers 7 218
Compensatory 7 239

As you can see, the majority of the Eagles; picks are in Round 7. While the team has done very well with 7th round talent since Howie Roseman has taken over as General Manager (Jamar Chaney, Bryce Brown, Moise Fokou, and Kurt Coleman), ideally the team would probably want to gain some picks in the middle rounds and even re-acquire a 6th round pick. The Eagles have options to acquire picks, whether it means trading down in the earlier rounds (likely) or by picking up lower-end picks by offering fringe talent. We have already seen the Eagles make moves involving players and picks, including the recently departed Dion Lewis and the new;y acquired Arrelious Benn. Will player trades stop there? Only Howie and Chip Kelly know that answer.

In order to see what value the Eagles have on their roster to add picks, let's look at some of the team's tradeable players:

Jeremy Maclin

While the fanbase seems to be divided whether the Eagles should try to get value for Jeremy Maclin before his likely departure in free agency, the truth is that Maclin would be the team's most valuable trade commodity. He may or may not be under-appreciated by the fanbase after posting 258 receptions, 3,453 yards and 26 touchdowns in his first four years, but it is up to the team to decide whether he is expendable or not. Maclin has not eclipsed 1,000 yards in a season but has proven to be reliable when healthy. While his blocking leaves something to be desired, he has proven to be the most decent redzone threat the team has had since Terrell Owens. He has posted 964 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2011, where he played all 16 games. That is very good production for a number two wide receiver. The questions with Maclin this season will be: Can he stay healthy? Can he learn to block efficiently? Until we get those answers, fans will likely continue to debate his value.

Likely Value: 2nd-3rd Round

Nick Foles

Like Maclin, Nick Foles seems to be in a tug-of-war for the affection of Eagles fans. Some question his fit in Chip Kelly's unknown offense, while others praise his performance from last year given the circumstances. Foles has shown he is at least capable of starting in this league, just one year after being drafted in the 3rd round by the Eagles. He could be seen as a valuable acquisition for a team like Tampa Bay or the New York Jets, who are obviously not comfortable with their current QB depth. With that said though, what is stopping those teams from just drafting a kid with the pick they would trade for Foles? With a majority of the league at least set with their QB competition, teams are not likely to offer much for the former Arizona Wildcat. Howie Roseman understands value, he also drafted Foles, so he is not likely to give him away. Foles was a 3rd round pick, and after his performance last year, there is no way he has lost value. That's why accepting a 3rd round pick for the young passer would be a mistake. Then again, this draft features depth in the middle rounds that is uncommon in most drafts.

Likely Value: 3rd-4th Round

Casey Matthews

Casey Matthews is a former Oregon Duck, so most would consider him safe under Chip Kelly. The problem with that impression is that this is a whole new league with the need for different abilities. In his two seasons in NFL, Matthews has shown the ability to be play as a nickel linebacker and a decent special teams player. Matthews has been passed over by Jamar Chaney, Akeem Jordan and Mychal Kendricks over the last few seasons and really did not show improvement from his first to his second season. With guys like Emmanuel Acho and Jason Phillips joining the mix and Jamar Chaney looking to rebound from last year, Matthews could become an afterthought.

Likely Value: 7th Round

Phillip Hunt

Phillip Hunt has been on the team for two seasons, but remains an enigma for the most part. The guy has had two fantastic preseasons, partnered with two mediocre regular seasons. Used mostly as a rotational player under Jim Washburn, the 5'11" rusher, on paper, does not seem to fit Chip Kelly's and Billy Davis' desire for big rushers. While you could argue Elvis Dumervil was successful as a rush linebacker at Hunt's size, the former CFL sack-leader has not proven he can hang as a premium pass rusher in the league. When Hunt originally signed with the Eagles, he mentioned the Vikings really wanted him and he chose the Eagles because he wanted to play in a 4-3 defense (that the Eagles will not play and that Minnesota still does). Maybe the Vikes will be willing to pony up a pick for Hunt.

Likely Value: 6th-7th Round

Vinny Curry

Vinny Curry is sort of in a mix between Hunt's and Foles' position with the team. He was taken in the 2nd round of last year's draft and is pretty much a logical fit for a 4-3 defense. He is has a weird body fit which is somewhere between a 4-3 defensive end and a 5-technique. Curry was not much of a fit for the Wide-9 due to his lack of quickness (4.98 40-yard dash), so he was left on the bench until Jim Washburn was banished. That disservice leaves the current Eagles fanbase and potentially the front office with some serious questions. Local and national media has speculated about his availability despite having some of his college coaches on the team. While he is highly unlikely to be dealt given his current value, it is worth noting he is not much a natural fit for the 3-4 defense.

Likely Value: 4th-5th Round

Kurt Coleman

Unfortunately, Coleman has garnered a bad reputation as a starting safety. The undersized 7th round pick likely should have never been in consideration for a starting role, but due to the team's lack of ability to acquire talent at the position following the departure of Quintin Mikell, Coleman was made the starter by default. While he needs to prove he can hang in the pros, his starting experience makes him more valuable then a guy like David Sims. Coleman has shown toughness and effort his teammates have not shown, but his constant habit of being overwhelmed by offensive players leaves most fans shaking their heads. With Kenny Phillips and Pat Chung on the roster, the Eagles may do Coleman a solid and ship him off to a team that may value his attitude and special teams prowess.

Likely Value: 6th-7th round

Brandon Hughes

Brandon Hughes has been on this team for three seasons. Surprised? That's not shocking. Hughes was a late-practice squad pick-up in 2010 and has shown flashes since joining the team. His work in this season's Giants home game (Dawkins' retirement ceremony) while filling in for Nnamdi Asomugha, was impressive, but he has lacked a plethora of performances like that over his Eagles career. Add in the fact that he is shorter (5'10") than Chip Kelly's preference for cornerbacks (6'0"), his marriage with the team could be ending sooner rather than later. He was a good find, but now it may be time to get value for him.

Likely Value: 7th Round

With plenty of options to do deals with their players, who do you think is the most likely Eagles veteran to get traded during the draft? What value are you looking for? And why should the player be traded?

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