Eagles Trade Rumors: Latest buzz on Darius Slay, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, and more

Let’s take a look at the latest buzz in the rumor mill ahead of Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline, specifically as it relates to the Philadelphia Eagles.

THE EAGLES ARE “TAKING A SHOT AT” DARIUS SLAY

NFL insider Chris Mortensen said the following during an ESPN television appearance on Monday afternoon:

“Remember, the Eagles offered a one and a two for Jalen Ramsey, a cornerback. So, therefore, what other top corners are available? They’re taking a shot at Darius Slay, of the Lions, but the price tag on Slay is very, very high. So maybe a more realistic one would be something like Chris Harris from the Broncos. But the Eagles are expected to be aggressive here, but reasonable.”

Adam Schefter was first to report that Slay was drawing interest over the weekend.

Additionally, Albert Breer is reporting that the Lions HAVE made Slay available.

I’m told that the Lions are making Slay available on the market. Doesn’t mean they move him, but it does mean they’re open to it. Slay is under contract through next year and his 2020 financials (a total of $10.5 million) are very reasonable.

Bleeding Green Nation previously wrote about Slay as a potential trade target earlier today. My take:

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 be willing to do that, though.

From the outside looking in, cornerback seems less of a dire need with Jalen Mills and Ronald Darby back now. Avonte Maddox and Cre’Von LeBlanc could also be returning soon.

Despite this, the Eagles have been linked to the likes of Slay and Patrick Peterson. They seem to be in the market for a top notch corner.

OPTIONS ON THE CORNER MARKET

On the topic of cornerback, Breer had this to say:

Denver’s Chris Harris has been the highest-end corner on the trade market (it’ll take a second-round pick to pry him from John Elway), but that hasn’t stopped teams from asking Miami about Xavien Howard. And the Giants have been dangling Janoris Jenkins around the league too. Bottom line: If you need corner help, it’s out there.

A second-round pick for a 30-year-old CHJ playing on the final year of his deal should be too rich for the Eagles’ taste. I don’t see them dealing for Howard or Jenkins, either.

TRADING BIG V FOR A PLAYER IN RETURN?

More from Breer:

Eagles OT Halapoulivaati Vaitai continues to be a name of interest on the market; plenty of teams have offensive line needs, and Vaitai, in a contract year, could help. Philadelphia is stocked at the position, and if GM Howie Roseman does move the fourth-year pro, who started at left tackle for the Eagles in Super Bowl LII, I wouldn’t be stunned to see a player coming back. The team has explored the corner market, and there are tackle-needy teams (Cleveland, New England) with depth at that spot.

Trading Vaitai for a draft pick makes the Eagles worse in 2019, so it’s not hard to see why Roseman would want to get a player back instead. Interesting that there’s even more focus on the corner spot here instead of wide receiver or interior defensive line.

ZACH ERTZ TRADE?

This hasn’t actually been rumored anywhere legitimate but it seems like a number of fans have been talking about trading Ertz.

I’d be shocked if that happened. It’s not happening for a number of reasons.

Also, why the hell would you be advocating for more 11 personnel and less 12 personnel? You really want to have THESE wide receivers be an even bigger part of the offense?