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ESPN recently had a panel of their so-called “NFL experts” make a bunch of predictions for the 2019 NFL offseason. One of the portions of their feature has a section called “Designing realistic offseason trades that help both teams.” This section contains three different trade ideas involving the Philadelphia Eagles, so let’s take a look and grade each of them.
SCENARIO 1: Jaguars trade RB Leonard Fournette to Eagles for QB Nick Foles
Dan Graziano’s explanation: “Why not? The Jaguars have clearly soured on Fournette, and the Eagles obviously don’t need Foles at the franchise-tag price. Fournette would give Philadelphia the kind of back LeGarrette Blount was for them during their Super Bowl run (only better, if he can stay healthy), and the salary relief (Fournette is scheduled to make about $2.9 million this year and $4.2 million next) could help Jacksonville take on Foles on a new contract.”
BLG’s take: This idea has been previously suggested. I get where it comes from: the Jags really need a quarterback and the Eagles really need a running back. Fournette clearly isn’t in the best standing with Jacksonville following the Jags’ decision to void all the guarantees in his contract. But while this swap might make sense in Madden, I don’t see it happening. Fournette’s career 3.7 yards per rush attempt isn’t particularly enticing. Neither are his durability and maturity issues. Fournette also carries a $7.4 million cap hit in 2019 and a $8.6 million cap hit in 2020, so he’s not quite as affordable as Graziano makes it seem. I think the Eagles would (rightfully) rather receive a 2019 third-round pick from Jacksonville than Fournette.
Grade the trade: What say you?
Poll
Grade ESPN’s proposal of the Eagles trading Nick Foles to the Jaguars for Leonard Fournette.
This poll is closed
-
22%
A
(1629 votes) -
29%
B
(2189 votes) -
24%
C
(1816 votes) -
13%
D
(987 votes) -
10%
F
(740 votes)
SCENARIO 2: Jaguars trade CB Jalen Ramsey to Eagles for Philadelphia’s 2019 first-round pick
K.C. Joyner’s explanation: Philadelphia doesn’t have anyone in its secondary who can shut down Amari Cooper, Odell Beckham Jr. or the rest of the powerhouse NFC wide receivers. A first-round pick is a big price to pay, but Ramsey hasn’t been happy in Jacksonville and could be a perfect fit for a team with Super Bowl ambitions.
BLG’s take: It’d be nice if the Eagles could just trade Foles for Ramsey, but that ain’t happening. Should the Eagles trade a first-round pick for Ramsey? If cap space wasn’t an issue, absolutely. Unfortunately for Philly, the Eagles do have to weigh getting five years of cost-controlled talent by drafting someone in the first round versus giving up a pick for an outspoken player who’s soon projected to be highest paid cornerback in league history. Ramsey is under contract at a relatively reasonable $7.4 million cap number in 2019 and the Eagles could activate his fifth-year option for 2020 if they traded for him. It’s a fun idea to think about. But I think Philly will keep their pick and stick with the talented youth they already have at corner. I also think it would take more than just the Eagles’ late first-round selection to pry Ramsey away from Jacksonville. So, not a perfectly realistic proposal.
Grade the trade: What say you?
Poll
Grade ESPN’s proposal of the Eagles trading their first-round pick to the Jaguars for Jalen Ramsey
This poll is closed
-
30%
A
(2172 votes) -
20%
B
(1470 votes) -
20%
C
(1427 votes) -
16%
D
(1172 votes) -
12%
F
(893 votes)
SCENARIO 3: Bills trade RB LeSean McCoy to Eagles for Philadelphia’s 2019 fifth-round pick
Field Yates’ explanation: This idea was floated in advance of the trade deadline following the early-season injury to Jay Ajayi, with reasons to understand the motivation; the Eagles were one of just two teams to not have a single player rush for 100 or more yards this past season. McCoy enters the final year of his contract and has seen a declining level of production over the past two seasons. A change of scenery could spark a return to form and allow Philly to streamline its backfield.
BLG’s take: It’s hard to totally dismiss this possibility when you consider the Eagles reportedly tried to trade for McCoy back in 2017. As Yates mentioned, the Eagles also reportedly “reached out” to the Bills regarding McCoy’s availability prior to the 2018 trade deadline. So, yeah, I wouldn’t be absolutely shocked if the Eagles brought Shady back to Philly. Then again, McCoy’s age (turns 31 in July), declining production (3.2 average in 2018), and off-field issues (read more) all represent red flags. McCoy has been rumored to be a potential salary cap casualty so maybe the Eagles won’t even have to give up anything for him if they truly want him back.
Grade the trade: What say you?
Poll
Grade ESPN’s proposal of the Eagles trading their fifth-round pick for LeSean McCoy
This poll is closed
-
22%
A
(1597 votes) -
21%
B
(1519 votes) -
20%
C
(1443 votes) -
17%
D
(1224 votes) -
18%
F
(1348 votes)
Which trades would you make for the Eagles?
Poll
Which trade scenario do you like the best?
This poll is closed
-
40%
Scenario 1: Foles for Fournette
(2823 votes) -
31%
Scenario 2: Eagles’ 1st for Ramsey
(2180 votes) -
28%
Scenario 3: Eagles’ 5th for Shady
(1985 votes)