Fan-fueled NFL Mock Draft: Eagles make another massive 1st-round trade

This NFL mock draft trade involving the Eagles and Panthers involves a lot of moving parts, but both sides walk out of this one as happy campers.

Let’s say QB1 Jalen Hurts signs that team-friendly deal as some are predicting. The first year of his extension would come in 2024. The Birds could give Burns a nice bonus in year one of his deal. With the salary cap constantly on the rise (it swells to a record $224.8 million per club in 2023) and with the aid of Philly’s adjusted cap number this season, Philly can rely on a franchise staple in contract writing.

Philadelphia adds dummy years to the back half of Brian Burns’ deal (a Howie Roseman staple in contract negotiation). Those void years coincide with the end of another massive deal, Philly’s current arrangement with Darius Slay. Fletcher Cox and Jason Kelce are probably also gone by this point. As the cap continues to swell, which it no doubt will, Philly may be able to swallow Burns’ high price tag more easily than some believe they can.

Here’s how we came up with the terms of the trade.

Carolina and Philly are both short on draft capital. The Birds enter the selection meeting with six picks. The Panthers own six after trading up to the first-overall selection. Carolina gets their quarterback, and thanks to a nice working relationship between Howie Roseman and Panthers GM Scott Fitterer, this one gets worked out quickly.

The Panthers trade back into the first round. Philly moves back nine spots to the 39th overall selection in Round 2. Brian Burns joins the nest. The Birds, who are all in on qualifying for a Super Bowl THIS SEASON add another elite pass rusher.

A first-rounder is given up by the Birds in 2024 which figures to land late in Round 1. Sure, the Panthers might want more, but often, teams looking to shed players expected to make a ton of money can be convinced to accept less.

Howie pulls some strings here, one of which being the fact that a first-round selection next year and the opportunity to move up nine spots and back into Round 1 should appease the needy Panthers, especially when the Eagles still need to extend Burns once they have him in the fold. If you’ll remember, that’s similar to the scenario that they were in while trying to add A.J. Brown last season. Things worked out well then. They work out similarly here.

To sweeten the pot, the Panthers are also given the first of what might wind up being multiple fifth-round picks in 2024 (Philly owns the rights to a Vikings selection that can become a fourth-round pick if conditions. We’re also assuming they’ll receive compensatory picks). To show their gratitude, Carolina also gives Philadelphia their final pick in the current draft, a fifth-rounder. The Panthers elect to take a younger and less expensive pass rusher at 30.

The Panthers use the 30th overall selection to draft another pass rusher, one that’s younger and less expensive (Isaiah Foskey out of Notre Dame). They clear cap space. The Birds land a proven star instead of a prospect that might be as good. Everyone goes home happy. That sounds like a win-win for both sides to us, and guess what? Philly walks out of night one still in possession of six more draft choices spread over the second and third days of the draft.