Philadelphia Eagles trade sixth-overall selection: 2 Immediate reactions
Here’s some news that’s liable to make you smile if you’re a Philadelphia Eagles fan, and no this doesn’t fall into the category of ‘rumors’. According to the team’s official website, the Birds have agreed to trade the sixth-overall selection in Round 1 of the 2021 NFL Draft along with a fifth-round selection in 2021 (the 156th-overall selection) to the Miami Dolphins.
In exchange, Philly gets Miami’s 2021 draft picks at 12 and at 123 (a fourth-rounder). The Eagles will also receive Miami’s first-round selection in 2022. Buckle up ladies and gentlemen. We have a lot to unpack here.
Here are two immediate reactions if you’re a Philadelphia Eagles fan.
It’s not going to take much to get a lot of Birds fans to buy in in this one as much of the fan base, despite rumors of trading up, have long stated that they’d rather the Eagles trade back and acquire more draft picks or improve the position of a later-round selection or both.
It appears the Birds have done both. Howie Roseman will survive at least one day without being picked on. Here are two thoughts that crossed the minds of some of the ITI staff immediately.
1. The Philadelphia Eagles could wind up with three first-rounders in 2022.
In addition to the first-round pick that the Birds will have based on their 2021 regular-season finish, there’s that conditional second-rounder they gained from the Indianapolis Colts by trading Carson Wentz (that one might become a first-rounder).
As mentioned, Philly also gains Miami’s first-rounder in 2022. Is anyone else hoping that the Dolphins miss the playoffs again?
2. Can we rule out certain players and make assumptions as Philadelphia Eagles fans?
One can make the argument that Philly believes that someone they’re interested in will be available past the sixth-overall selection. Could that be someone like Jaycee Horn or Jaylen Waddle or one of these other top-tier receivers?
Some believe that Waddle and Horn will be available in the middle of Round 1, but if you also subscribe to that theory, you might also want to note that guys like Zach Wilson, Kyle Pitts, and Ja’Marr Chase will be off of the board. Are we to gather they’re no longer on Philly’s radar? We’ll have to wait and see what happens once Day 1 of the selection meeting begins.