The 2021 NFL trade deadline is a few weeks away, but the Philadelphia Eagles already shipped off veteran tight end Zach Ertz to the Arizona Cardinals. In the deal, the Eagles got a 2022 fifth-round pick and cornerback Tay Gowan, who was a sixth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. In the Eagles’ loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night, Ertz was given a captain role and was told it would be his last game in Philadelphia. It was a great sendoff, as the Stanford alum caught a touchdown pass from Jalen Hurts.
After the Eagles traded away Carson Wentz and named a new coaching staff this offseason, it was known that it would be a rebuilding year. It is no surprise to see them trade Ertz as they give more reps to Dallas Goedert – currently out with COVID. Look for them to make more moves over the coming weeks.
Make sure to check out all of our other NFL Trade Deadline Previews.
The Eagles Current Status
Current Record: 2-4
Division Standings: Third in the NFC East
In the Playoff Picture: No
Buyers or Sellers: Sellers
Current NFL Draft Slot: Eighth overall
Potential Trade #1: Andre Dillard to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a 2022 fourth-round pick
Dillard tore his biceps and missed the entire 2020 season, before being the subject of many trade rumors during the offseason. The Eagles signed Jordan Mailata to a four-year $80 million extension while veteran tackle Lane Johnson is still on a four-year $72 million contract the team signed him to in 2019. Dillard is certainly the odd man out as the Eagles look to shed salary in a rebuilding year. While the tackle has played better of late, Johnson will slide back into the starting right tackle position when he comes back from his personal matter and Mailata is set at left tackle. Philadephia already has a ton of draft capital, but getting another fourth-round pick would give them even more to work with.
The former first-round pick is still young and can be productive, as seen in his performance over the last few weeks. The Steelers severely need help along their offensive line.
Potential Trade #2: Derek Barnett to the Kansas City Chiefs for a 2022 sixth-round pick
The former first-round pick has struggled to step in for Brandon Graham following the latter’s injury. Barnett has committed ill-advised penalties which has frustrated the coaching staff. The 25-year-old is a free agent next year and could still be a high-flying pass rusher while cleaning up some of the other issues under the right coaching. In this deal, the Eagles would be eating the rest of the money on his contract, but nabbing a third sixth-round pick for the draft would be worth it.
On the Chiefs’ side, their defensive line has been very disappointing. Defensive ends Chris Jones and Frank Clark have dealt with injuries, while Clark returned on Sunday. Defensive tackle Jarran Reed has been a disappointment since Kansas City signed him to a one-year deal this offseason. He has yet to get a sack and has earned pressure on 5.6 percent of pass-rush snaps. Under Andy Reid, Barnett could really come into his own and give the Chiefs solid depth on their defensive line. The move would help them get a boost to turn things around on defense.
Potential Trade #3: Fletcher Cox to the Los Angeles Chargers for a 2022 third-round pick
As much as the Eagles, Cox, and their fanbase would love to see the veteran defensive tackle retire an Eagle, this roster has to get younger. Cox is approaching age 31 and hasn’t fully lived up to his big contract. The emergence of Javon Hargrave has also changed the organization’s mindset on Cox. Philadelphia would get the most value for him right now instead of waiting it out. He will be a free agent before they could really contend again.
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