Roseman says Eagles understand the risks in Green-Beckham trade

Howie Roseman knows that when something looks too good to be true, it probably is, but the Eagles face a critical talent shortage at wide receiver, so Roseman decided to swing for the fences.

For the low price of reserve offensive lineman Dennis Kelly, Roseman Tuesday acquired second-year wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham, the 40th overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft, from the Tennessee Titans.

Green-Beckham is 6-5, 240 and exceptionally talented. He also comes with a tangled background of off-field issues, and he clearly exasperated the Titans with what has been described as a lack of focus. He wasn't prospering in their training camp.

"We've spent a lot of time here in the last few weeks behind the scenes doing some background work. He comes in with an opportunity; no promises have been made," Roseman said after Tuesday's practice, the last of what is generally considered the "training camp" part of the preseason.

Several times in his remarks, Roseman referenced his and the organization's eyes being "wide open." He acknowledged that new Titans coach Mike Mularkey has faulted Green-Beckham's consistency.

Roseman called Green-Beckham a "very, very talented guy ... He's got to make the most of this opportunity."

Roseman referenced his relationship with Titans general manager Jon Robinson, to whom he traded DeMarco Murray in March. Roseman noted that he and Robinson also discussed the Titans' first overall draft pick, before the Eagles ended up trading for the second pick, and quarterback Carson Wentz. Roseman said Robinson was "very transparent" about the Titans' issues with Green-Beckham. Roseman said he has no reason to think there are currently off-field problems with the former Missouri star, who transferred to Oklahoma but never actually played there.

Green-Beckham, who added his high school coach's last name to his after being adpoted by him, was dismissed from Missouri after an incident in which he, looking for his girlfriend, allegedly broke into her apartment. Trying to force the door open, he pushed her roommate back and she allegedly fell down a set of four stairs. He ended up not facing charges, but ESPN detailed texts from his girlfriend that seemed to be pressuring her roommate not to get him in trouble. He also was involved in two marijuana-related incidents at Missouri.

"It's up to him to prove his value to this football team," Roseman said.

Before John and Tracy Beckham adopted him, Green-Beckham was living in a home for neglected and abused children.

Eagles coach Doug Pederson made reference to his experience as the team's quarterbacks coach under Andy Reid, when the Eagles brought in quarterback Michael Vick, after Vick's release from prison.

"We're not in the rehabilitation business, but at the same time, we feel like, with the staff that I've assembled on offense, with the personnel staff upstairs, we can bring in guys that might have had a little bit of a history, and we can help these players. Not only (to) become young men, but to become good football players," Pederson said.

Roseman said Brian Dawkins, hired by the organization as a scouting intern a few weeks back, will have a new title -- football operations executive -- and he indicated Dawkins could have a role helping guide players such as Green-Beckham. The Eagles also are high on the teaching and motivational abilities of Dawkins' former teammate, wide receivers coach Greg Lewis.

Kelly, a fifth-round draft pick in 2012, was preparing for practice this morning when he got news of the trade, linemate Allen Barbre said.