If the Eagles want to trade up...
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If the Eagles want to trade up...
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
In 2009, the Eagles moved up two spots to draft Jeremy Maclin at No. 19, sending an additional sixth-round pick to the Browns.
The following year, they dealt a couple third-round picks to the Broncos and swapped the 24th selection for No. 13 to select Brandon Graham.
History shows they're not shy about moving up in the first round.
So the obvious question this year is: Will they stay put at No. 15? Or try to make a deal?
The Eagles have an extra second-round pick, thanks to last year's Kevin Kolb trade. I took a look at the draft trade chart, which assigns point values to different picks. The Eagles' first three picks - the 15th selection in the first round and the two second rounders (46 and 51 overall) - add up to 1,880 points.
Based on the chart, trading all three picks could get them to the fourth overall pick.
If the Eagles packaged their 15th pick with just one of the second-rounders, they could get to the No. 8 pick.
Of course, the draft chart only provides some guidelines. And as Andrew Brandt of the National Football Post pointed out, it's flawed this year since rookies won't be getting paid the same. The Eagles would have to find a willing trade partner, and as always, the market dictates everything. For example, SI.com's Peter King advises to throw away the chart when it comes to the No. 2 overall pick this year. That's because the Rams are likely to deal that pick to whichever team wants to make the most attractive bid to land Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III.
The Eagles created some buzz over the weekend when Griffin revealed that he met with the Birds at the combine. The Inquirer's Phil Sheridan wrote today about the possibility of the Eagles seriously considering moving up to land Griffin.
Meanwhile, King wrote that Griffin "really enjoyed his time" talking to Andy Reid.
And John Czarnecki of FoxSports.com gets the impression that Reid would trade Michael Vick straight up for RG3.
The truth is teams meeting with prospects at the combine is just part of the process. In the coming months, that process will continue, and select prospects will visit the Eagles' facility. Every year, there are prospects the team likes, but can't draft.
I wouldn't be surprised at all if Reid really likes Griffin. The charismatic and talented QB seems to be liked by most at this point, which is why the Rams are in great position to get teams into a bidding war for that No. 2 pick.
Having said that, I've reached the point where I won't rule anything out with the Eagles. Not after they surprised us with the Nnamdi Asomugha signing, the Michael Vick signing and the Donovan McNabb trade to the Redskins in recent years.
One other thing to keep in mind - not necessarily as it pertains to Griffin, but as it relates to draft trades - is that the Eagles are in position to trade players too. DeSean Jackson could be a trade chip if they franchise him. And Asante Samuel could be dealt too.
In other words, the Eagles have some pieces they can use to get creative and move up if they covet a prospect who is unlikely to last to the 15th pick.
If you missed my weekend posts, I offered some thoughts on the Eagles' quarterback situation as a whole and updated the most recent developments in the wide receiver market.
UPDATE (2:30 p.m.)
After checking out some of the comments, I wanted to clarify a few things about this post:
** The point was not to show the Eagles have enough chips to trade up to No. 2 and draft Griffin. I simply wanted to show that they do have some interesting assets if they want to move up in the first round. Like I mentioned, using the draft chart, even the 15th pick and both second-rounders would only get them to the fourth pick. And the value of the No. 2 pick is probably even greater this year because of Griffin.
** I've mentioned this several times in previous posts, but it bears repeating. Samuel is still a very good player, and cornerback tends to be a coveted position. But keep in mind that he is due a reported $9.5M next season and is 31. He is also most effective in a specific system, and not the most versatile defensive back.
As for Jackson, any team wanting to acquire him (assuming the Eagles use the franchise tag) would have to meet his (and Drew Rosenhaus') demands for a new contract.
So again, both Samuel and Jackson could be valuable trade chips. But the Eagles would need to find the right suitor for each.
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Eagles will get a new coach when Reid decides to retire. If he didn't get fired after this year, he never will.— chocolatethunder- RGIII is the second coming of Akili Smith.— flyigglesfly
- If they can get to #2 and draft him, they should do whatever it takes to get there. Vick is not the answer for this team. Can't win consistantly with a turnover machine at QB. Just can't happen. Why do you think McNabb & the Eagles used to alwasys beat Vick & the Falcons? Its because McNabb protected the football & Vick did not. Griffin is a better option than Vick today!!— FetchDixon
- Desean+ 1st, 2nd, 5th= RG3— fman727
- It will take a 1st round top 10 pick, another 1st rd(either this year or next) plus a 2nd and 3rd round pick to land RGIII. He is the real deal, sorry. He throws as well as he runs. He also looks to pass all of the time and only runs when it is absolutely necessary. Best of all, his film is filled with him standing in the pocket, tall and looking down the field. I saw at least a 12 passes where he got hit as soon as he threw it(knew it was coming but stood and delivered the ball anyway) which is a special skill and mindset. He just also happens to be 6'3", 220 lbs, runs a 4.4, throws cannon shots to the sideline and soft touch passes to guys across the middle while graduating from an elite University in three years(if he stayed in school he would have been a graduate student in the LAw program not a senior undergraduate). He is closer to overtaking Luck as the #1 pick then he is to being a question mark.— UncleStosh
- If I was the Rams GM, I would try and trade Sam Bradford and my 2nd round pick to Cleveland for their 2 #1's. Then I would take RGIII at 2, Claiborne at 4 and the best DT left at 24(?)(Still?) Brockers, Poe may both be top 12 so it will be Still or Worthy. And sign a FA WR and draft another WR with their next pick.— UncleStosh
- Andy will draft a bunch of smurfs.
Andy knows better than anyone how to fill every position.
No question.
Does anyone believe this continued BS?— Seal Rock - Don't be ridiculous.— billtfla
- This coach has done nothing but draft undersized players for every position during his tenure. Those who were not undersized were reaches frequently trade ups which did not pan out. His draft record is not good at all.— Seal Rock
- I wonder what undersized DE will be available when the Birds pick? How about a 210 pound LB in the 3rd round?— FetchDixon
- Fun to think about but there are so many other teams that have better ammo than us to move up. I'll be shocked if the Browns don't end up with RGIII. I know it's comical to even say, but the Eagles should stay where they are and use their 1st and two 2nds wisely.— JCKevo
- In all likelihood it will be business as usual and we're all going to be both surprised and disappointed in Reid's draft picks.— 1republican
- The eagles will never move up to the 2 spot this is nothing but smoke blowing.They don't have enough to go up.Ddac and Asante aren't going to get them crapola.Asante=to much money and age.Djac=to much money and fragility.The eagles have to much money at CB and every team knows it soooo they get next to nothing there.Djac is one more big hit from being out of football soooo they get nothing there.Does anybody REALLY believe that Mvick has value and that the Rams would really trade the 2nd pick in the draft for him straight up?Get real.The eagles have outsmarted themselves again and will get some practice squad LB from the Chiefs or the Jacguars and say they have been watching him since the 08 draft and he just needs a chance to play,got a great motor.Will draft a O-line or D-lineman with their 1st and trade down the two 2s to get mor 4s and 5s and 6s (can never have enuf low rounders)and will end up 6-10 or 7-9 and NOT WIN THE SB AGAIN IN 2014 or EVER with this FO,HC and staff and you losers will keep drinking the koolaid and making excuses as usual.FOOLS.— sewell guy
- Please show me when this coach has drafted a big body professional NFL player....— Seal Rock
- After Jon Runyon...never...but it does not matter...they don't have enough to trade up to #2....Asante will be traded as his contract is too big and his position is over-crowded but he does have good value...DeSean will be franchised, (he'll get some real money) and then probably be here as no one will wnat to take a chance on his head (concussion and/or attitude)....and HR, the mailroom guy named GM will trade down, gather 6th and 7th rounders because they are cheap and his boss, the real GM, JoeB likes it that way.....but don't worry, all their picks will be light and fast and have high motor.....Good Job Jeffery....You sure want to win now, and have the pedal to the meda.....NOT— nuggett
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