One final look at the Eagles most realistic first-round possibilities

Don’t be shocked if the Eagles trade up or trade back in Round 1.

Perhaps the best-case scenario of any round during any NFL Draft is one in which a team knows it can trade back, acquire more picks, and do so without encountering any danger of missing out on a top-tier prospect that they wanted for their own wheelhouse.

Philadelphia’s blockbuster trade with the New Orleans Saints earlier this month, in essence, deferred one of the original trio of first-round selections to next April. In total, eight picks were a part of the package, including an additional second-round choice the Birds will have at their disposal in 2024.

You have to like how that sounds. Here are three things to consider now.

One, Philly still has two selections in the first 18 picks on night one of the draft. Second, the New Orleans Saints have two selections in the first round as well, the 16th and the 19th. Third, depending on what they do with the first, they could be on the hunt for a quarterback at 19, and that could get the Pittsburgh Steelers’ attention. They figure to be looking for a signal-caller of their own in the post-Ben Roethlisberger era, and they could be a viable trade partner if the plan is to move ahead of New Orleans.

This works for both sides as the Eagles can slide back to 20 knowing they aren’t fishing in the same pool for talent as Pittsburgh, at least in the first round anyway. Don’t rule it out. Don’t rule out the possibility of the Eagles trading up either.

It’s been rumored they could put a package together to land a higher draft choice for themselves. No one knows if that will happen for sure, but it’s something to think about until NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces that the draft is underway.