Eagles may want to consider pros and cons of trading up for Tyree Wilson

As years pass, Philadelphia Eagles fans have gotten used to seeing aggressive strategies during each NFL Draft. Executive vice president and general manager Howie Roseman has been very creative. He has developed quite a reputation for taking huge swings. Just look at the moves he has made in past NFL Drafts.

Last year, first-round trades led to the selection of Georgia defensive tackle Jordan Davis at the 13th overall selection and a deal that landed former Tennessee Titans wide receiver, A. J. Brown. The latter was also signed to an extension.

Roseman also pulled off a trade during the 2021 NFL Draft that may have kept Alabama’s Heisman Trophy-winning wide receiver, DeVonta Smith out of the hands of their NFC East foes, the New York Giants.

With his history of making big splashes, a pair of first-round picks at his disposal, and the knowledge that his team is attempting to replace highly productive players who were key contributors during the most recent NFL season, it may be a safebet to assume Howie may have a trick or two up his sleeve. Here’s an idea that we’d like to throw out to add to all of those discussions.

Trading up for Texas Tech pass rusher Tyree Wilson might be an idea the Philadelphia Eagles may want to explore.

There’s been some speculation that the Eagles may not stay put at the 10th overall selection. If they did, they could set their sights on a pass rusher like Georgia’s Nolan Smith. He might be an option. Iowa’s Lukas Van Ness or Clemson’s Myles Murphy could be options as well. Don’t rule out the possibility of Roseman being aggressive if someone expected to come off of the board early becomes the apple of his eye.

If Texas Tech’s Tyree Wilson slides or is available later than expected, he might grab the Eagles’ attention. That wouldn’t surprise us at all. Wilson collected 14 sacks and 27.5 tackles for loss in 2021 and 2022 despite missing Texas Tech’s final three games in 2022 due to a fracture in his foot.

His ability mirrors what the Eagles often look for in an edge rusher. Texas Tech may utilize a five-man front, but during the plays in which the Red Raiders only sent four pass rushers, that seemingly fed Wilson’s hunger to get into the opposing backfield. He is also good in coverage.

Wilson has an ideal combination of power and length that makes him a fit as both a 4-3 defensive end and a prospect that can excel as an outside linebacker in the 3-4 defensive alignment. The Eagles prefer versatile pass rushers, so Wilson makes a lot of sense.

Brandon Graham has played with his ‘hand in the dirt’ as a defensive end in the 4-3. He has also played while standing up as an outside linebacker. Think back to the Chip Kelly era. Philly added another versatile piece this past offseason by way of their Hasson Reddick signing. He inked a three-year $45 million contract prior to the 2022 season. Wilson might be a mirror image of Reddick.

Standing at six-foot-six and weighing 271 pounds with 35 5/8-inch arms, Wilson is the tallest and longest edge rusher in the class. His measurements exceed those of 2022 first-overall pick Travon Walker whose size and versatility caught the attention of the Jacksonville Jaguars. That’s a huge reason why they selected him atop last year’s draft.

The Las Vegas Raiders have been rumored to be interested in abandoning the seventh-overall selection. Swapping places with the Eagles could allow Philadelphia to move up and land a blue-chip pass rusher that the Atlanta Falcons and Chicago Bears might be interested in. They own the eighth and ninth picks respectively. The Raiders by trading back could still be in a position to land a top cornerback or former Kentucky quarterback Will Levis at the tenth overall selection if those are theories that they’re exploring.

While the Eagles currently possess six picks during this year’s draft, they may opt to wager future picks they own in 2024’s NFL Draft in an attempt to get a deal done. The Eagles already own an additional second-rounder next year that they received from the New Orleans Saints in an April 2022 trade, and Philly will also be in a position to come away with multiple compensatory selections in 2024 due to major Free Agent departures that we saw during March’s free-agency frenzy.

It’s just a thought, but it’s a thought that we could very well see as a realistic option.