:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62985317/usa_today_11859116.0.jpg)
A thought experiment to consider on the eve of the (meaningless) Super Bowl: if the Eagles could steal ONE player from the New England Patriots OR the Los Angeles Rams, who would you most like to see on Philadelphia’s roster?
Tom Brady and Aaron Donald are the names that immediately jump to mind considering they’re the best players on their respective teams. So, which one of those two are you taking?
If we’re taking a long-term view, it’s difficult to take Brady because how do we know for sure he might not retire after this year’s Super Bowl? I think he plans to come back, sure, but he also turns 42 in August so you just never know. Also, he can’t catch, so that’s a problem.
Donald, meanwhile, is only 27 and is incredibly dominant. Pro Football Focus charted him with 21 sacks, 23 quarterback hits, and 67 quarterback hurries in 2018. Crazy. The thought of Donald lining up next to Fletcher Cox just feels unfair ... to other teams. Being able to generate that much interior pressure should probably be illegal.
Poll
Which player would you rather have on the Eagles: Tom Brady or Aaron Donald?
Picking between Brady and Donald seems too obvious so for the sake of this discussion let’s say you can’t take them. Which one player from either team are you taking instead?
RAMS PLAYERS
Rams safety John Johnson III is already an honorary Eagle and a damn good safety.
Ndamukong Suh makes for a nice consolation prize if you can’t get Donald.
Robert Woods would be the second best receiver on the Eagles’ roster.
Brandin Cooks would give the Eagles a much-needed deep threat. Plus he wouldn’t have to worry about Malcolm Jenkins knocking him out a game.
When healthy, Todd Gurley is a dangerous weapon to have in the backfield and would certainly represent a huge upgrade for Philly.
C.J. Anderson has been very productive since joining the Rams late in the regular season. He was available to the Eagles as a free agent but they never showed real interest.
PATRIOTS PLAYERS
Get Rob Gronkowski and run a base offense with three tight end sets. Imagine having the trio of Gronk, Zach Ertz, and Dallas Goedert.
If Nelson Agholor isn’t back, Julian Edelman would be an answer in the slot.
The Eagles were rumored to be interested in selecting Sony Michel in the 2018 NFL Draft but he never got to their pick.
Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore has had an excellent season.
Trey Flower has been the Pats’ most productive pass rusher. The Eagles might actually look to go after him in free agency.
YOUR PICK
Who are you taking if you can’t have Brady or Donald?
Poll
Which player would you steal from the 2019 Super Bowl teams?
This poll is closed
-
2%
John Johnson III
(25 votes) -
1%
Ndamukong Suh
(16 votes) -
0%
Robert Woods
(4 votes) -
6%
Brandin Cooks
(78 votes) -
67%
Todd Gurley
(750 votes) -
1%
C.J. Anderson
(14 votes) -
1%
Rob Gronkowski
(14 votes) -
1%
Julian Edelman
(17 votes) -
8%
Sony Michel
(98 votes) -
5%
Stephon Gilmore
(63 votes) -
3%
Trey Flowers
(36 votes) -
0%
Other (explain in the comments)
(4 votes)