Report: Emmanuel Sanders could be traded, Eagles expected to be in the wide receiver market

The Philadelphia Eagles are expected to be in the market for a wide receiver prior to the 2019 NFL trade deadline, according to NFL insider Adam Schefter. Schefter wrote as much in a report about Denver Broncos pass catcher Emmanuel Sanders being available.

As losses pile up in Denver, the Broncos are likely to be open to listening to offers for wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, sources tell ESPN. There are enough teams expected to be in the wide receiver market in the days leading up to the Oct. 29 trade deadline -- including the Panthers, Patriots, Eagles, 49ers and others -- and Sanders could be on the block.

It’s entirely believable that the Broncos are willing to move on from Sanders. Denver dropped to 2-5 and last in the AFC West with their loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday evening. It makes sense that the Broncos would want to sell off Sanders — who’s in a contract year and turns 33 in March — in order to get a draft pick that can help them rebuild.

But would the Eagles really be willing to trade another draft pick for a wide receiver rental for the second year in a row? Especially after the Golden Tate trade didn’t go so hot for Philly last season?

It’s hard to believe Howie Roseman will be jumping at the Broncos’ reported asking price of a Day 2 pick.

Then again, the Eagles could use some help at receiver. They’re not getting good production from that spot, as evidenced by their last three games:

Alshon Jeffery: 173 offensive snaps, 19 receptions, 166 yards (8.7 average), 2 TD

Nelson Agholor: 173 offensive snaps, 5 receptions, 62 yards (12.4 average), 0 TD, 1 fumble

Mack Hollins: 109 offensive snaps, 1 receptions, 13 yards, 0 TD

JJ Arcega-Whiteside: 13 offensive snaps, 0 receptions, 0 yards, 0 TD

The Eagles are hoping to get DeSean Jackson back at some point but one must wonder if they’ll really be able to count on him. Even if Jackson does return, there’s question about just how effective he’ll be. Doug Pederson had the following to say when asked if Jackson would be 100% if he plays again this year.

“Nobody is ever 100%. Again, with the type of [abdomen] injury that he has, and being a track guy, a speed guy, it affects you. It makes a difference. Is he going to be 100% when he comes back? Probably not. Is he going to feel better? Yeah, he’ll feel better and be able to put it behind him and focus on football.”

If the Eagles aren’t feeling confident about Jackson’s status (which Schefter’s reporting here seems to indicate), another name to consider ahead of the trade deadline is New York Jets speedster Robby Anderson. The Eagles reportedly showed interest in Anderson last year and Roseman obviously has a relationship with new Jets general manager Joe Douglas.

The Eagles have some important decisions to make ahead of the deadline.