First-round targets, free-agent replacements Eagles could land by trading back
Free agency’s ‘frenzy’ left the Eagles with a few holes, but Philadelphia is in a great position to reload during the 2023 NFL Draft.
Now that the 2023 league year has begun, dozens of the league’s premier free agents have been signed with teams. We now have a better idea of team needs and what every franchise might try to fill those needs during the coming NFL Draft. The Philadelphia Eagles are no exception. They saw familiar and new faces sign, but they also lost a lot of their core talent.
We won’t lie. Losing key contributors like running back Miles Sanders (Carolina Panthers), defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (San Francisco 49ers), and safety C. J. Gardner-Johnson (Detroit Lions) isn’t ideal. These departures and a few others allowed the Eagles to retain many of those familiar faces though.
The free agency frenzy also robbed Philly of their starting right guard and the top two linebackers from last year’s depth chart. T. J. Edwards joined the Chicago Bears. Kyzir White joined Jonathan Gannon in Arizona with the Cardinals. Isaac Seumalo is now a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Draft is loaded with prospects that would be great fits in Philadelphia. We have already covered EDGE options if the Eagles select a pass rusher tenth overall. This time around, we’ll explore how other positional needs could be filled with the 30th overall selection or if Philly makes the decision to trade back.
Recent history suggests that Eagles’ general manager Howie Roseman could explore a trade and maneuver his way around the draft board. If former Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Will Levis slips to somewhere around the tenth overall selection that could be all it takes.
In the past, other franchises have traded down from the top ten, and they have netted additional first-rounders in the following year’s Draft or mid-round picks in the current selection meeting. There is no doubt the Eagles would enjoy the prospect of adding more draft capital. Trading down would make that a possibility. Here are some options if they do.