Howie Roseman is a master of the ‘wheel and the deal’, and the 2022 season will be no different.
With a great salary cap, excellent capital quality, and (currently) a starting quarter on a junior contract, Eagles GM can be as aggressive as ever in the commercial market, rather than falling victim to free agent overpaying in the open market in competition with other organizations..
The Eagles made 103 deals under Roseman’s tutelage (the second largest in the NFL). Given that record, and ten drafts, it’s fair to say he’ll be exploring that path again in the coming months.
Here are some suggestions:
QB Gardner Minshew and 2022 fourth round pick to New Orleans Saints for S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson
When reading this trading scenario initially, it is easy to dismiss it quickly. Why would New Orleans team one of the league’s best rising defenders at such a young age?
Well, they might budge on this show under some circumstances.
According to Spotrac, New Orleans is expected to have a negative $70 million in off-season cover space. With fellow safety Marcus Williams poised to hit free agency, New Orleans must decide between keeping the two with Gardner Johnson in the final year of his rookie contract.
Let’s say New Orleans decides to keep Williams, so they apply the franchise tag to buy time. This would eventually open the way for opening day, as quarterback James Winston set out to hit free agency leaving New Orleans with Tysom Hill and Ian Buck for the quarterback.
Given their troubles with the hats and an impending commitment to Williams, the Saints are on the hunt for a quarterback. Minshew gets his wish to be an apprentice, and New Orleans gets a guy with some potential with an apprentice salary. Philadelphia gets a Tyrann Mathieu/Budda Baker clone for its minor and much-needed upgrade with Gardner-Johnson.
possibilityThe trade seems too perfect to really break above, but it would be ridiculous for the City of New Orleans to value Williams at the expense of Gardner Johnson. But they once underestimated Malcolm Jenkins incorrectly and would need the midfielder. Fans of eagles can dream up a little about it.
2022 Round 5 New Orleans Saints pick for LPD Mario Davis
While discussing the uprooting of a potential New Orleans fiery sale, let’s take another essential part away from defense, shall we?
Trading for Davis defies everything Rosman stands for. Davis just turned 33 this month, but if his solid play in the last two seasons is any indication, it’s a massive boost for the Philadelphia midfielder’s unit.
Frankly, the Eagles need a quick fix as a start. TJ Edwards stepped up in Jonathan Gannon’s defense when he took charge of Eric Wilson, but Davis still offered an upgrade.
Philadelphia is bound to add to the linebacker room in the 2022 NFL Draft and has a potential (with injury fears) with Davion Taylor.
Davis will provide a quick fix for a fair salary in the next two seasons. An unannounced group mentor can use veteran mentoring while allowing Roseman not to waste senior resources on the position again.
This trade scenario gives the takeover type ‘DeMeco Ryans’ a fourth round pick in 2012.” After the memories of this trade, it’s hard not to hope for it.
possibility: Selling the Saints by fire would be remarkable, and it’s fair to believe that Davis would be a part of him given his age, but also his production thus far. But will Rosman abandon any capital project for the 33-year-old, especially at full-back? Unlikely, however, a fun idea.
From LT Andre Dillard to Jacksonville Jaguars for Edge Rusher K’Lavon Chaisson
This trade scenario is wild, so let’s break it down.
Eagles need to renew the depth of their edges, and ideally, this would be by creating some sort of youthful effect.
Ideally, four similar productivity dash tools were made available to Brandon Graham, Derek Barnett, Chris Long and Vinny Curry in 2017 with Michael Bennett replacing Curry the following year.
Josh Sweet deserved the extension and provided a spark to the defensive line in the final two weeks of the season. Roseman announced that Graham will return for 2022. Barnett hits the open market like Ryan Kerrigan.
Chaisson would be a welcome addition after failing to live up to first-round selection expectations in Jacksonville (similar to Dillard). Chaison will get his third different defensive coordinator in the NFL regardless of whether or not this hypothetical trade takes place. This lack of consistency may be the cause of Chassion’s handicap, as well as not putting on the ideal weight when rushing to pass.
Philadelphia has gone this route with Sweat before. Another coaching staff, but some players can steer Chaison, and a defense that can make the most of his swiping ability.
Adding Chaison won’t take away from Philadelphia’s need to craft a high rushing edge in the 2022 NFL Draft, but it will likely develop into the dash pass specialist they’ve been missing since long retirement.
Dillard gives Jacksonville a left-back save with a possibility as current starter Cam Robinson is unlikely to stay. Instead of reaching an offensive tackle with the first pick, the Jaguars can take over Dillard, ditch the defensive end the current system hasn’t invested in and grab either Aidan Hutchinson or Kayvon Thibodeaux.
possibility: David Caldwell, the general manager who drafted Chaison in 2020, is Eagles Executive Director of Personnel. He’s already impacted two deals with Jacksonville, and that scenario seems reasonable while giving both teams a chance to come out on first-round debut contracts that wouldn’t amount to anything under the current circumstances.
OL Jack Driscoll for Los Angeles Chargers for LB Kenneth Murray
The Eagles are constantly being picked up by opposing fouls to the shortcomings of the linebacker which is the driving reason behind this scenario.
Driscoll is a valuable piece for Philadelphia’s offensive line. He’s been great with Lynne Johnson getting in the right tackle whenever he needs to, playing guard, but the team has a chance to trade him in while he has some decent value, and the Eagles could worry about replacing Johnson in the future, perhaps even in this draft.
Murray seemed to have lost his luck in Brandon Staley’s defense midway through last season. He’s been studded in Oklahoma, which led to him becoming a first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, but he doesn’t seem to fit in with Staley’s defense, which was pretty obvious.
A change of scenery could lay the groundwork for Murray to realize his potential, perhaps even in the Philadelphia defense. At the very least, it provides viable competition to the outside quarterback, which requires promotion.
Driscoll will instantly become the shipper who initiates the correct tackle as he walks into their compound. Again, Roseman doesn’t have to squander the best resources on a linebacker who provides an upgrade. Also remember that the Eagles have extended the contract of OL Le’Raven Clark, giving them the flexibility to trade in depth.
possibility: I’m not sure the Chargers will save Murray this soon, but up front that starved the league, the Eagles could take advantage. The right side of the offensive line has been a major obstacle to LA’s 2021 post-season aspirations, so this deal would theoretically make sense for both teams.
CB Josiah Scott to the Seattle Seahawks instead of RB DJ Dallas
It’s fair to wonder how vultures are being sold in their back room. Kenneth Jenwell was carefully selected for Siriani’s crime, but the rest of the room was inherited.
When Sirianni was with the Colts, they had Marlon Mack, who showed off his threatening ability to the house as an elusive rusher, but one thing that held back Mack’s career, aside from injuries, was his inconsistency. This may be the point where Siriani and his buddies could be with Miles Sanders, especially with his junior contract expiring in the upcoming off-season.
Jordan Howard renewed his career last season in Philadelphia, but he is an unrestricted, replaceable free agent. Dallas could be their man if the Eagles want to find a vector to offer a similar role.
Dallas has lost mixing running backs in Seattle and will only have 67 NFL players on his body. After successfully using whatever is left they can get out of Howard, it’s fair to believe the Eagles offensive team crew can do the same for the 23-year-old Dallas.
Avonte Maddox is the current and future Eagles corner game. Scott showed some potential during training camp and pre-season after getting him from the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Seahawks can use a cost-effective upgrade in this position while Philadelphia ventures one of the balls back with potential.
possibility: Don’t be surprised if the Eagles are eyeing the 2022 NFL Draft for a return to the future. Philadelphia trades one only if the player exchange is such a scenario.
2022 first round pick (19 overall) to the Atlanta Falcons for WR Calvin Ridley
Giving up a recruiting pick in the first round would be very difficult for the Eagles, especially Roseman, but can the general manager afford to bet that pick will become a better player than Ridley in the long run?
It is relatively certain that Philadelphia will show interest in Ridley’s business talks once the Atlanta Falcons anticipate hearing performances for the Pro Bowl receiver’s wide receiver. There are several reasons why vultures bite the bullet and pay the price.
Ridley and Hurts have built a relationship that dates back to their playing days in Alabama. Broad was able to establish a successful career adapting to the constraints of the lane once before. Given Ridley’s talent, Hurts would likely pick up where the two left off again.
Remember when the Eagles participated in the Amari Cooper lottery when the Raiders were looking to ship their talented receiver? Roseman didn’t budge from his second-round selection offer, while Dallas risked, and it paid off.
Ridley’s contract expires in 2023, but the Eagles have gone down that path with Sean Jeffrey. Come to Philadelphia, meet the team, make production, and you’ll get your daily paycheck. Another reason why Ridley’s camp is thinking highly of the Eagles for its next destination.
Rosman announced that it hurt his core team moving forward. He would be wise to do whatever it takes to build said midfielder. Get a Ridley that would do that and then some.
possibility: It wouldn’t be a surprise at all to see Ridley end up in Philadelphia. However, a bidding war between the Patriots, the Dolphins, and the 49ers could complicate Rosman’s willingness to part with him and potentially put him out of Eagles range. One thing is for sure; The team will upgrade the spacious reception room in the off-season, and Ridley is one option.
Conor Miles covers the Philadelphia Eagles for SI.comEagle Maven and hosts Eagles Unfiltered Podcast on the Blive Podcast Network. Getting to Coonoor in [email protected] or Twitter: @ConorMylesSI
Ed Kracz is SI.com’s Eagle Maven publisher and co-host of Eagles Unfiltered Podcast. Check out the latest Eagles news on the site www.SI.com/NFL/Eagles or www.eaglemaven.com And please follow him on Twitter: @kracze.
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