Will Philadelphia Eagles' Howie Roseman Continue Draft Trade Streak? Analyst Makes Case

The Philadelphia Eagles have traded up in the first-round of the NFL Draft in each of the last three years. Could they be getting ready to do it again?

Aug 17, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman / Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

If the recent past has taught us anything, the Philadelphia Eagles and general manager Howie Roseman doesn’t sit idly by during the NFL Draft. The 48-year-old has a three-year streak of trading up in the draft and could make it four consecutive years. 

At least, that is what ESPN analyst Bill Barnwell believes the Eagles should do in the upcoming draft. A well-respected analyst, Barnwell gave his take on what teams in the first round should be looking to do with their pick, whether it be staying put and trading up or down. 

“This year's trade could be a slight move ahead of the Dolphins for a cornerback, given that James Bradberry and Darius Slay are both in their 30s and could be cap casualties next offseason,” Barnwell writes about the Eagles. “Roseman was able to re-sign Avonte Maddox, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson could move back into the slot if necessary, but if you watched the Philadelphia defense in the second half of last season, you know teams can never have too many competent defensive backs on their roster.”

Jan 29, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman. / Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

While the talk of an offensive tackle has gained steam in recent weeks regarding what position the Eagles will target, cornerback is what makes the most sense. An aged and injured secondary was at the heart of last season’s failures. 

As Barnwell notes, Slay and Bradberry are on the wrong side of 30, and only one performed relative to expectation. Meanwhile, Avonte Maddox, while being younger than his two counterparts, struggled with injuries for the second year in a row. 

Thanks to free agency, the Eagles hope they have already solved some of their issues with the signing of C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who returned to Philadelphia for his second stint with the team after being a key contributor in 2022. Gardner-Johnson not only returns to Philly with the expectation of helping them at safety but could even provide competition and cover for Maddox at nickel. 

However, while the Eagles are hoping for further development from last season’s rookie corners, Kelee Ringo and Elias Ricks, boundary cornerback, is the only position in the secondary that has been untouched. 

Both Slay and Bradberry are back, despite the latter coming off the worst year of his career, according to his Pro Football Focus grade of 56.6. But with both likely on the backend of their careers and contracts set to expire following 2025, drafting a corner makes the most sense.

Whether Roseman decides to be a mover and shaker for the fourth draft in a row, there are sure to be plenty of options at cornerback.