Philadelphia Eagles Five Trade Ideas as Deadline Approaches

The NFL trade deadline is on Halloween, and it's always a good bet that Philadelphia Eagles GM Howie Roseman will make some kind of move. Here are five trades that might make some sense.

PHILADELPHIA – Jack Driscoll was once upon a time a valuable member of the Philadelphia Eagles. Those days seem long ago now, and perhaps it’s time to see if they can trade him.

The NFL trade deadline is on Halloween this year, which means it’s sort of lurking right around the corner.

You know Eagles general manager Howie Roseman will make a trade, right? At least that's the thought. He always does around the trade deadline. Only twice in the last eight years as he failed to pull the trigger on something.

The Eagles have players, like Driscoll, who could be available, and perhaps Quez Watkins or even Grant Calcaterra, one of four tight ends on a roster that doesn’t need that many.

Driscoll has lost his standing as one of the team’s top backups. Fred Johnson is now the backup tackle, and Sua Opeta has already taken over for injured Cam Jurgens at guard with rookie Tyler Steen in the guard/tackle mix as well.

Driscoll has yet to play an offensive snap this season after 354 last year, 512 in 2021, and 300 in his rookie season after being drafted in the fourth round in 2020. He made 16 starts in those four years.

Jack Driscoll (No. 63) hasn't played any offensive snaps this year / USA Today

Roseman also has plenty of draft capital to get a deal done. The Eagles are in line for as many as four compensatory picks after losing a slew of free agents this offseason, and they also own two second-round picks, one of which belonged to the New Orleans Saints.

The thing about Roseman is he doesn’t even necessarily make deals for a position of need, which, this year, figures to be slot cornerback and safety as probably the two top-end needs.

That doesn’t mean he wouldn’t look to upgrade the receiver spot.

For example, in 2018, the Eagles needed a running back – undrafted free agent Josh Adams led them in rushing that year with 511 yards – but instead traded for receiver Golden Tate.

Also, in 2017, the Eagles had a slew of running backs but traded for another, landing Jay Ajayi who joined LeGarrette Blount, Corey Clement, Wendell Smallwood, and Kenjon Barner.

Last year, the Eagles needed edge help and found it with Robert Quinn, though Quinn didn’t have much left and didn’t help a lot.

The Eagles did not make any trade deadline deals in 2016 or 2020.

So, who could Roseman take a long look at?

Here are some proposals:

1. Watkins and a third-round pick to the Carolina Panthers for safety Jeremy Chinn. The Panthers aren’t going anywhere, and Chinn is in the final year of his rookie contract. Chinn is listed on the Panthers depth chart as the nickel cornerback. Perfect.

2. Driscoll, Watkins and a third-round pick to the Los Angeles Chargers for Asante Samuel Jr. and a Day 3 draft pick. This is probably a longshot because the Chargers are sitting at 2-2 and certainly still believe they can make the playoffs, but they lost receiver Mike Williams for the season with a torn ACL, so adding more depth at the position might be something they would consider. 

Samuel, who is the son of former Eagles standout of former three-time Eagles cornerback Asante Samuel, also is signed through next year on his rookie deal.

And who couldn’t use a player like Driscoll, a rock-steady player who is in the final year of his rookie deal and may even be able to unseat Jamaree Salyer, a 23-year-old former sixth-round pick, at right guard?

All that said, a second-round pick may be required to pry Samuel away, and that may be too rich for Roseman.

3. Driscoll and fourth-round pick to Arizona Cardinals for Budda Baker. The Cardinals' safety has wanted out for some time now and, while a fourth-round pick may be low, it could go higher depending on how much of the contract Arizona picks up.

Baker, 27, is scheduled to count $18.5 million against the salary cap in 2024. He can be released prior to June 1 and there would be a cap savings of $14.6M, but why trade for him then cut him?

There's no doubt he would be a great fit for the defense, though.

4. Watkins and Driscoll to the New York Jets for Mecole Hardman and a sixth-round pick. The Jets lost right tackle Alijah Vera-Tucker for the season so could use an offensive lineman while they also look for a way to replace Elijah Moore in the slot. Hardman was supposed to be the answer but has fallen out of favor for whatever reason.

5. A swap of Day 3 picks with the Las Vegas Raiders receiver Hunter Renfrow. Another longshot if only because Renfrow’s contract is ridiculously expensive. So, something would have to be done about a deal that has him counting $13.1 million this season and $13.7M next year against the salary cap. Also, the Raiders, despite sitting at 2-3, probably still believe they can make a playoff run, though that seems improbable.