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NFL Trade Rumors: Why the Eagles will make a deal before deadline day

BGN's first of a three-part series focusing on the Eagles and the NFL trade deadline.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

With the NFL trade deadline just over a week away, the Eagles don't seem like a team that is ready to deal. However, the front office tends to surprise fans with trades out of nowhere. The team's willingness to make a move may lead to a shocking send off for a current Eagle or a surprise addition to the 5-1 squad.

The Eagles are known for wheeling and dealing. General manager Howie Roseman hasn't been shy in trading for former Pro Bowl standouts or important depth players over the last several years. In fact, Roseman has acquired at least a dozen players in trades since 2011. Five players currently on Philadelphia's 53-man roster were acquired in a deal, which is the highest total in the NFL.

While the Eagles believe in continuity, Roseman has never been afraid to make a deal. DeMeco Ryans, Emmanuel Acho, Darren Sproles and Cody Parkey have all played key roles this season for the Eagles and all four were acquired via trades. Sproles and Parkey have been sensational since being acquired this off-season in deals that cost the team very little, if anything. Roseman has an eye for making deals on his own terms.

Roseman has also been active at the trade deadline in previous years. He traded for running back Jerome Harrison twice in back-to-back years (in 2011, he was acquired in exchange for Ronnie Brown but failed a physical) and dealt veteran Isaac Sopoaga in the closing minutes before the deadline last season. He is also a frequent trade collaborator with former co-worker and current Colts general manager Ryan Grigson.

While Chip Kelly has been hesitant to bring in new players that are unfamiliar with the playbook (only Parkey was not with the team in OTAs), the Eagles still clearly have spots that could be upgraded. While rumors have big names like Vincent Jackson and Jermaine Gresham on the trade block, it may be more likely that the team looks to add depth that can be used in specific packages. Adding a depth running back (with the Darren Sproles injury), a safety (only four on the roster) or something unexpected, may actually serve the team better in the short term than a potential starter that needs time to learn the entire playbook.

On Tuesday, we will look into why the Eagles won't make a deal at the deadline.

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