Eagles acquire safety in trade with Cardinals

Sound the alarms! The always wheeling-and-dealing Howie Roseman has made another trade. Here’s a look at the terms:

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES RECEIVE — Safety Rudy Ford

ARIZONA CARDINALS RECEIVE — Defensive tackle Bruce Hector

The Eagles are very deep at defensive tackle so it’s not a shock to see the team dealt from that position. Hector was very unlikely to make the 53-man roster; he was looking at a practice squad spot at spot.

Acquiring Ford gives the Eagles more depth at a spot where they need it. Incumbent starters Malcolm Jenkins and Rodney McLeod are in place with newcomer Andrew Sendejo favored to be the team’s third safety, but there’s competition for the spot(s) behind that trio. Johnathan Cyprien, Tre Sullivan, Deiondre’ Hall, Trae Elston, and now Ford are vying for a roster spot or two.

Ford was a sixth-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. He’s played in 23 games with the Cardinals over the last two seasons, starting one. Ford has a reputation as a special teams contributor, which is noteworthy with the Eagles previously waiving Blake Countess with an injury settlement. Countess was expected to make the roster and be a special teams contributor if he had stayed healthy.

Hector-for-Ford is the second player-for-player trade Roseman has made this summer. the Eagles previously traded Ryan Bates in exchange for Eli Harold earlier this month.