Eagles Mailbag: Should Philadelphia trade for Tashaun Gipson?

Welcome back to the weekly BGN Mailbag. Thanks to everyone on Twitter who sent in a question. Let's talk some Eagles football.

To the Q&A...

@blackfalcon82 asks: Should the Eagles try to get the Browns' pro bowl safety, Tashaun Gipson?

For those who don't know, the 24-year-old Gipson is holding out for a new contract. Gipson was a restricted free agent this offseason since he went undrafted in 2012. The Browns placed a second-round tender on Gipson, which is worth about $2.356 million in 2015. That's a small price to pay for a player who has combined for 11 interceptions in 27 games the past two seasons.

I'm not sure if the Eagles would have interest in trading for a player who is currently holding out, but Gipson should be on their radar. Not only is he young and talented but he would fill a major need for Philadelphia. The Eagles don't have a clear starting option at safety next to Malcolm Jenkins and Gipson could fit right in. His size is decent at 5-11, 208 and he has experience playing cornerback which is something the Eagles value in their defensive backs. Philadelphia was willing to break the bank for Devin McCourty in free agency. Gipson clearly isn't McCourty but he should be in play if the Eagles are serious about upgrading the safety position.

So what would the Eagles have to give up? Eagles beat writer Ed Kracz floated the idea of sending Mychal Kendricks to Cleveland since Philadelphia has a logjam at inside linebacker. Kendricks will be a free agent after this season, so the Browns would have to pay him. Would the Browns really be willing to pay Kendricks but not Gipson?

Ultimately, I don't think a trade happens. There's still plenty of time for Browns and Gipson to eventually work something out.

@trestINme asks: How do you think the depth chart will look at WR and CB/S by week one?

At wide receiver, I'll say the Eagles run with their youth. Nelson Agholor and Josh Huff on the outside with Jordan Matthews working the slot. Or maybe they'll move the guys around. Riley Cooper and or Miles Austin will play in a platoon role. At least, that's probably how it should be.

At cornerback, I see Byron Maxwell and Nolan Carroll being the starters. Brandon Boykin will man the slot. Eric Rowe might get some snaps somewhere at some point. JaCorey Shepherd and/or Randall Evans should serve as depth.

At safety, I'll say Malcolm Jenkins and Walter Thurmond are the starters. Chris Maragos and Chris Prosinski seem like locks to make the team behind them. Maybe Ed Reynolds takes the fifth spot.

@DeborahFordJohn asks: Do you think Vinny Curry can eventually develop into a full time starter in the Eagles system?

It would be ideal. He's heck of a pass rusher. But it just doesn't seem like Curry is the kind of ideal two-gap defensive end they like. Cedric Thornton isn't nearly as good of a pass rusher and he gets the starting snaps because he can two-gap and play the run very well while Curry comes off the bench. That shows what the Eagles value. I think Curry will end up leaving in free agency. Then again, many thought Brandon Graham wouldn't be re-signed due to him not being an ideal scheme fit, so who knows.

@AngeloJYeskey asks: What percentage of snaps do you think Jordan Matthews will play on the outside vs. the slot?

Matthews ran 92.4% of his routes from the slot as a rookie. No NFL wide receiver had a higher figure. I don't think he'll be at that level again in 2015, but I do think he'll still be used in the slot more than he is not. Matthews has already been seen taking some outside reps in OTA practice. Just throwing out random numbers here but maybe something close to a 65-35 slot/outside split?

@Vortigaunt86 asks: How is Reno Mahe doing?

I was going to return this question with an answer but I'll just take the fair catch here instead and say I've got nothing.