NFL Draft: Trading back seems more likely than trading up for the Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles are viewed as a potential trade-up candidate for the NFL Draft, but trading out of the first round seems more likely.

The rumors going around the NFL ahead of the 2019 NFL Draft have been crazy lately. Who’s going number one, who’s getting a quarterback, who’s trading up? It’s all rumors and nothing is official yet, but it would be a mistake not to discuss the stories going on regarding the Philadelphia Eagles. Ever since the re-hiring of Howie Roseman in the front office, the Eagles have been one of the most active teams in the league in terms of making moves.

The league new year began last month, and the Eagles have already made multiple moves. And because of that, many are under the belief that the Eagles are going to be heavily active in trading during the NFL Draft, which kicks off on Thursday. Last year, the Eagles were sitting at the bottom of the first round and decided to trade out of the first round, to acquire multiple picks.

This year, there have been rumors going around stating that the Eagles are a trade up candidate, rather than trading down. We won’t rule out a trade up entirely. However, it seems more likely the Eagles trade back and out of the first round once again to acquire more assets, rather than giving up what they already have in order to move up in the first round.

Howie Roseman gave us the signs

Being that the Eagles are in no position to dictate the flow of the draft, they have made it very clear that their strategy will be simple – sit back and watch it all play out. And when it’s your turn, take the player with the highest grade on your board that’s available. No need to overthink it. The Eagles have done this every year since they’ve drafted Carson Wentz with the second-overall pick in 2016. Being that they are still a complete all-around team, that plan won’t change anytime soon.

Sitting at pick No. 25, the Eagles could realistically see the best player available on their board having a second-round grade beside them. At that point, there’s no chance they reach. To Roseman, the draft is all about getting the best value. Remember, this is the same team that took a consensus top-ten pick with a torn Achilles in the second round just because of the value.

“There are very few drafts where there are 32 legitimate first-round grades on guys,” Roseman said a couple of weeks ago at the Nova Care Complex when discussing the draft. Former Eagles’ scout and NFL Draft Analyst Daniel Jerimiah suggested the possibility of Philly getting out of the first round as well. “When you look at what they’re looking for, I can make a strong case that the second, third round of this draft is the sweet spot — that’s the value — so to me, I would try and get down in that range.”

The Eagles seem to be most interested in snagging a guy in the trenches on either side of the ball. According to Roseman, this draft is ‘historical’ when it comes to defensive linemen. If that’s how the Eagles see it, there’s a good chance they could find the same value in a guy they could have at 25, in the second round. So if the chips start falling in a certain way, which leaves the Eagles with nothing but second-rounders at 25, you better believe they will trade out for better value.