12 players of interest to the Eagles ahead of the 2019 NFL trade deadline

The Philadelphia Eagles have reached 4-4 ahead of Tuesday’s 2019 NFL trade deadline at 4:00 PM Eastern and, if reports are to be believed, Howie Roseman is looking to make a deal or two.

So, who could the Eagles acquire and/or ship off? Let’s take a look at some potential targets.

WIDE RECEIVER

I’d argue this spot is the Eagles’ biggest position of need. DeSean Jackson is expected to return at some point, maybe, but when? And just how effective will he be? And will the 32-year-old be able to last or just get hurt again?

It hardly feels like a great decision for the Eagles to put all their eggs in the Jackson basket. They desperately need a speed threat on offense. Just look at this abysmal wide receiver production:

Nelson Agholor: 285 snaps, 11 recs, 93 yards (8.5 average), 0 TD, 1 fumble

Alshon Jeffery: 282 snaps, 25 recs, 268 yards (10.7 average), 2 TD

Mack Hollins: 182 snaps, 1 recs, 13 yards, 0 TD

JJ Arcega-Whiteside: 29 snaps, 0 recs, 0 yards, 0 TD

The Eagles aren’t always going to be able to bully other teams like they did with the Packers and Bills this season. They’re going to need to rely on Carson Wentz’s arm at times and in order to do that he needs some better weapons to work with.

ROBBY ANDERSON

Anderson is the Eagles’ most logical trade target. The team tried to acquire the Temple alumnus last year and he’s reportedly available ahead of this year’s deadline. Roseman has an obvious connection to New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas.

Anderson is a proven deep threat given his 4.36 speed and his 14.7 career yards per reception. He should be able to instantly cure what ails this slow, plodding offense.

The 26-year-old Anderson is free agent after this season so that’s a consideration that needs to be made. Do the Eagles feel like he fits into the long-term picture? They shouldn’t just be giving up draft valuable pick(s) for a rental like they did with Golden Tate last year; it’s not time to go all in on the 2019 season at 4-4.

Anderson will likely cost a Day 2 pick, especially after seeing Mohamed Sanu go for a second and Emmanuel Sanders costing a third. The Eagles project to have two third-round selections in the 2020 NFL Draft due to the Nick Foles compensatory pick.

DEVANTE PARKER

The No. 14 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft had largely been a disappointment prior to this season but he seems to finally be catching on. Parker has 18 receptions this season for 284 yards (15.8 average) and three touchdowns on a winless Dolphins team. He has a $5 million team option for 2020 so his contract is pretty friendly.

There’s been no buzz directly linking Parker to the Eagles but he seems to fit their profile. Maybe a fourth-round compensatory pick gets it done?

ANTONIO CALLAWAY

Callaway has just four receptions for 33 yards this season but he averaged 13.6 per reception as a rookie last year. Character concerns caused Callaway to fall in the 2018 NFL Draft and he’s already gotten into some trouble in the NFL by starting this season off with a four-game suspension.

I don’t think Callaway is a slam dunk option for the Eagles but I included him since there’s buzz the Browns are interested in Big V. If the Eagles are looking to get a player in return instead of picks, Callaway’s skill set makes sense for Philly.

HONORABLE MENTION

Jay Glazer said teams have been calling the Houston Texans about DeAndre Hopkins but why would they be selling him when they’re 5-3 and in the mix for the AFC South?

The Bengals have denied they’re willing to sell A.J. Green, who has been recovering from injury all season long.

Odell Beckham Jr.’s name has been bandied about but I don’t see the Eagles doing that.

DEFENSIVE LINE

The Eagles are currently down to just Fletcher Cox, Bruce Hector, Albert Huggins, and Anthony Rush at defensive tackle after injuries have ravaged the position. Cox is starting to come on, so that’s nice, but Hector is a recent practice squad call-up and both Huggins and Rush are undrafted rookie free agents who never played a regular season NFL snap before Week 8. Timmy Jernigan could be coming back soon but it remains to be seen if he can actually stay healthy.

LEONARD WILLIAMS

UPDATE: The New York Giants traded a 2020 third-round pick and a 2021 fifth-round pick for Williams. Cross him off the list!

Williams has been connected to the Eagles ahead of this year’s deadline. The No. 6 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft is another player the Jets are reportedly willing to deal.

Adding Williams to the Eagles’ interior would take some attention off of Cox. The Eagles could view the 25-year-old as a long-term piece and work to re-sign him after this season.

As with Anderson, the Eagles could be looking at shipping out a Day 2 pick. Can Roseman find a way to get both Anderson and Williams in some kind of package deal? That would be nice.

DEREK WOLFE

The Eagles are reportedly among the teams “intrigued” by Wolfe. The 29-year-old 3-4 defensive end has played well recently with four sacks, four quarterback hits, and one forced fumble in his last three games. The Eagles should be willing to give up more than Day 3 pick but Wolfe could help boost the interior defensive line. He could give the Eagles what they were expecting to get out of Malik Jackson — Wolfe’s former teammate in Denver — this year.

GENO ATKINS

Atkins is on the older side as he turns 32 after this season. It’s also been said that the Bengals are unwilling to be big sellers despite the fact they’re winless, which is dumb. If the Eagles could get Atkins at a reasonable price, though, he’d be a great player to pair next to Cox. I don’t think it happens.

HONORABLE MENTION

Yannick Ngakoue would be a great addition as an edge rusher but I don’t see the Eagles making a move this big. Vic Beasley is reportedly available but only because he’s been a big disappointment and is making $12.8 million on the last year of his deal.

CORNERBACK

The Eagles were reportedly in the mix for Jalen Ramsey before ultimately being outbid by the Los Angeles Rams. They’ve also been connected to other corners but I don’t think the need at the position is as great now with Jalen Mills and Ronald Darby. Avonte Maddox might be returning for the Bears game and Cre’Von LeBlanc is eligible to be activated from injured reserve as soon as this week. None of those guys should preclude the Eagles from adding a star talent at corner, no, but the Eagles don’t need to add a body at corner for the sake of doing it.

CHRIS HARRIS JR.

Former NFL linebacker Garry Cobb guaranteed that the Eagles are going to trade for CHJ; we’ll soon see if he was right. The Broncos are definitely motivated sellers but I don’t see the Eagles paying a price that isn’t a bargain at this point. CHJ turns 31 after this season and he’ll be a free agent. Trading for him would be like this year’s Tate trade.

PATRICK PETERSON

Bleeding Green Nation’s Ben Natan first reported the Eagles’ offer for Peterson last week. ESPN later acknowledged the Eagles’ interest in him.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk also included Peterson’s name in a recent discussion about the Eagles’ trade deadline interest.

“I’m told to watch the Eagles, they may be looking to do ‘something fun’ now that they’re 4-4 and they’re in the mix. They tried to get Jalen Ramsey. Patrick Peterson, he’s a guy the Cardinals have rejected multiple offers to get him, including at least one first-round pick. But the Eagles may have something cooking now that they’re at .500.”

I don’t think 3-4-1 Cardinals view themselves as sellers, especially considering they just traded for Kenyan Drake.

DARIUS SLAY

Adam Schefter said teams have been calling Slay’s availability given his discontent in Detroit. Slay’s battled injuries this year but he’s a very good No. 1 cornerback when healthy. I think the Eagles would be looking at giving up at least a first-round pick for the 28-year-old. I don’t think they will.

EAGLES PLAYERS THAT COULD BE TRADED

The Eagles aren’t going to be sellers but they could be willing to deal some players, whether that helps them get other players and/or picks in return.

NELSON AGHOLOR

Agholor is greatly underperforming the $9.4 million salary he’s making this year; he’s been much more of a hindrance than a helper. The Eagles can’t trade Agholor if they’re not getting another receiver from somewhere considering he’s currently one of their top two guys. But the Eagles did reportedly include Agholor in their Peterson offer and they were rumored to be willing to deal him earlier in the year. Agholor can’t have a ton of value given his struggles and the fact he’s a free agent after 2019.

HALAPOULIVAATI VAITAI

The Browns have reportedly reached out to the Eagles about Big V. There’s a dearth of quality offensive linemen in the league so Vaitai’s market shouldn’t just be limited to Cleveland. There’s value in the Eagles keeping Vaitai; he provides immediate depth at every offensive line spot except center. Vaitai will also likely count towards the Eagles’ compensatory pick formula if/when he signs a contract with a new team in 2020 free agency. But if a team is willing to offer a pick — like a fourth-round selection — for Vaitai right now, the Eagles should be taking that deal. It’s a guaranteed selection as opposed to relying on the comp pick formula. Alternatively, the Eagles might be able to trade Vaitai for a player. I’d wager there’s like a 75% chance Vaitai isn’t on the Eagles’ roster after Tuesday.

DAESHON HALL

Hall won’t have much, if any, value but he could be a throw in. I’d much rather see the Eagles play him than trade him but if so they’re resigned to not giving him playing time ... try to get some value out of him somehow.

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GUESSING WHAT HAPPENS

My guess is that the Eagles trade for at least one or Anderson or Williams. I’d prefer Anderson because I think the offense is ultimately going to need to carry the team and in order for that to happen the passing attack needs an upgrade. I’ll also guess that Vaitai is traded.

What say you?