Grading the headline-grabbing Eagles in-season roster additions
![Julio Jones, Philadelphia Eagles Julio Jones, Philadelphia Eagles](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3473,h_1953,x_0,y_236/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/57/01hgx5xvctqbv8fx7kf3.jpg)
5. Kevin Byard, safety (trade) - October 23rd
The Eagles traded Terrell Edmunds, a fifth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and a sixth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to the Tennessee Titans to acquire Kevin Byard's services. Honestly, this one was a pretty exciting move.
Byard has seen his ups and downs since arriving. He truly isn't what he once was, and maybe that's why the Titans gave up on him. You have to admit though. Currently, he's the best safety that the Eagles have.
The move made sense when it happened. It makes sense now. Hopefully, he still has some good football in him. As of right now, the Birds aren't paying him a ton. Grade: A+
6. Shaquille Leonard, linebacker (signing) - December 4th
Here's another move that made sense. The Eagles needed linebacker help. That was made abundantly clear by that shellacking they took at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers.
The decision was made to grab Shaquille Leonard. At the time of this story's release, he hasn't played a down yet, but we'll give this a passing grade for a few reasons, one of which being the Eagles kept him out of the Cowboys' hands.
7. Bonus: Waiving Derek Barnett
Okay, two things...
One we know this is a subtraction from the roster rather than an addition, but maybe we can call this 'addition by subtraction'. Derek Barnett's release ultimately created the roster space to add Quez Watkins back to the active unit from the injured reserve.
Say what you will about Quez Watkins... and Barnett for that matter. Both are more popular in the locker room than they are with the fans, and even though Fast Batman and Barnett play different positions, some may argue that he, despite having limitations himself, Quez is a slightly more valuable roster piece than Derek is now.
As far as grades, we'll give this one an 'average' grade because Philly had a few opportunities to trade this guy and get something for him. Instead, he's released, and the Birds get nothing. Grade: C
No shade is intended there. We trust Howie Roseman. He has earned that. We know that he knows what he is doing.
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