Mark Sanchez trade might get the Eagles a higher pick in the 2017 NFL Draft than first expected

It's been nearly three months since the Eagles traded Mark Sanchez to the Denver Broncos in exchange for a conditional draft pick. At the time, it was reported that the pick was a seventh rounder, but the exact conditions were never fully revealed ... until now. According to Jimmy Kempski of PhillyVoice, the Eagles can actually get as much as a sixth round pick in the trade.

According to a source, the Eagles will receive the Broncos' seventh-round pick if he makes Denver's roster. It will become a sixth-round pick if Sanchez starts at least four games.

The sixth-round pick, however, requires further explanation. The Broncos had previously traded their 2017 sixth-round pick as part of a package to acquire tight end Vernon Davis. They do, however, own the Titans' sixth-round pick in 2017, which the Eagles would receive instead in that scenario.

As of right now, it seems like a lock that the Eagles will at least get a seventh round pick from Denver. Sanchez is only one of three quarterbacks on the Broncos' roster. The other two passers include rookie first round pick Paxton Lynch and 2015 seventh round selection Trevor Siemian. Even if Sanchez doesn't start somehow, he's bound to make the roster.

The Eagles' chances of getting the sixth round pick (instead of the seventh) seem pretty decent. Sanchez is easily the most experienced quarterback on Denver's roster. Lynch, by his own admission, isn't necessarily ready to play right away. The Broncos might eventually turn it over to Lynch as a rookie depending how Sanchez fares, but the Sanchize could easily make four starts this year.

Of course, things could always change if the Broncos add another veteran passer to their roster. But even if that's the case, the Sanchez trade was still a very good move for the Eagles. Cutting him would have only saved $3.5 million in cap space whereas trading him saved $4.5 million. Everyone knew the Eagles were going to get rid of him, too, since Philadelphia had re-signed Sam Bradford and acquired Chase Daniel in free agency. Good job by Howie Roseman.

The potential sixth round pick that the Eagles might receive could be a high one. The Titans finished with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. A sixth round pick is hardly something to get all fired up about, but it's a nice bonus for a team like the Eagles who gave up a number of picks in the Carson Wentz trade this year.

Eagles 2017 Draft Picks

2nd
3rd
4th - (from the Cleveland Browns)
4th
5th
6th
7th
7th - (from the Denver Broncos if Mark Sanchez makes the final roster, can be elevated to a 6th from the Titans if he starts at least four games)