The Eagles have addressed their biggest area of need (pass rush) this offseason and have shored up some of their loose ends by resigning some of their own. Nevertheless, the team still has plenty of holes to fill throughout the roster. One of the more notable needs is at the wide receiver position, though it’s not as glaring as safety or corner.
The free agent market has dried up a bit on the wideout front. The big names like Allen Robinson and Davante Adams are long gone, leaving just a handful of viable starters out there for the taking. We know the Eagles were reportedly on the cusp of trading for Calvin Ridley prior to the gambling scandal, so Howie Roseman is clearly willing to test the trade block as well.
There are some notable names floating around the trade market now and the Eagles have more than enough capital to make a move to acquire a solid receiver to place alongside DeVonta Smith. Here are five receiver trades that could still be on the table.
D.K. Metcalf
After dealing Russell Wilson a few weeks ago, it was fair to assume the Seahawks were about to open up a fire sale on all of their valuable assets. But as we know, this isn’t the NBA. Teams in the NFL rarely hit the tank button, and even when they do, they’ll end up winning some games on accident because that’s just how the NFL works.
As far as D.K. Metcalf is concerned, he’d garner a high price tag if he were to hit the trade block. He’s entering the final year of his rookie deal and he’ll want to be paid like a top-5 wide receiver. So not only will the Eagles have to give up a first or second-round pick in the upcoming draft, they’ll have to pay him as soon as he gets to town.
He’s a great receiver, but Howie has never overpaid for wideouts and he already has a No. 1 caliber guy in Smith. This trade is a long-shot for the Eagles, but it’s worth mentioning because Metcalf could very well end up on a different team next season.
Tyler Lockett
The far more likely trade involving the Seahawks, Tyler Lockett would make more sense for the Eagles. Despite turning 30 years old in September, Lockett has been steady with his production in recent years. He’s coming off three-straight 1,000-yard seasons and he’s scored at least eight touchdowns in each of the past four seasons.
Lockett will come with a reasonable price tag as well, as he has four years remaining on his current deal. His cap hit for 2022 will be about $10M and it’ll shoot up to $16M the following year. There’s a potential out from the contract in 2024, where the team could save $16.9M with a post 6/1 release. Plus, Howie will probably restructure his contract at some point, lowering his cap hit for the first two years that Lockett is in Philly.
Lockett probably won’t cost a ton in terms of draft compensation either. I’d imagine a fourth-round pick could probably get a deal done, considering his age.
Robert Woods
With LA’s signing of Allen Robinson, it was reported that Robert Woods is now being shopped by the Rams’ brass. Coming off a season-ending ACL tear last year, his value on the trade market may be lowered a bit, but Woods is still a more than capable receiver and he’s been uber productive when healthy. Prior to his ACL tear, Woods had accumulated 45 receptions for 556 yards and four touchdowns.
There hasn’t been any confirmed reports that the Eagles are interested in pursuing Woods, but we did receive this interesting tidbit from The John Kincade Show on 97.5 The Fanatic.
If Woods can be had for a third-round pick or later, I say why not. Though is cap hit will be about $15M for the next two years, as I said before, Howie will likely restructure Woods’ deal as soon as he gets to Philly.
Brandin Cooks
If I told you Brandin Cooks has gone over 1,000 yards receiving in six out his eight seasons in the NFL, would you believe me? Well, that’s exactly what he’s done. Cooks has consistently been one of the most overlooked wideouts in football and he could be on the trade block as he enters the final year of his contract. Plus, he’s only 28 years old.
Last year, Cooks proved that he didn’t need stellar quarterback play in order to produce. He recorded 90 receptions for 1,037 yards and six touchdowns with Davis Mills as his QB. Given the current state of affairs in Houston, moving off Cooks is certainly in the cards. When Cooks was dealt to Houston, the Texans sent a second-round pick in return. The Eagles probably won’t have to cough up that much. Maybe they send a third to get Cooks and fifth-rounder back in return? That seems fair.
Laviska Shenault Jr.
After spending big in free agency, most notably at the wide receiver position, the Jaguars are reportedly fielding offers for former second-round pick Laviska Shenault.
He still has two years remaining on his rookie deal and will be 23 years old entering the 2022 season. If the Eagles want to add a long-term option at the position this offseason, trading for Shenault would make sense.
He’s been productive during his first two NFL seasons, though he hasn’t reached the heights that some scouts projected of him coming out of college. Shenault has totaled 121 receptions for for 1,219 yards and five touchdowns during his career. Standing at 6-foot-1, 227 pounds, he’s the type of physical slot receiver the Eagles could really use in their offense. He and Dallas Goedert could really open up the middle of the field for Jalen Hurts, while Smith and Quez Watkins/Jalen Reagor operate on the outside.
Given that Shenault was a second-round pick and still has two years remaining on his rookie deal, the Eagles will probably have to send a second-round pick in return. Maybe they’ll be able to finagle it down to a third-round pick with the Doug Pederson connection.