Count the Philadelphia Eagles as one team dominating the headlines on the eve of Easter 2024. The franchise shook up the league by trading away All-Pro defender Haason Reddick. But what grade were they given for that move?
Philadelphia Eagles News Today
To recap: Reddick, a 2022 NFC champion and prolific edge rusher, was sent away Friday to the New York Jets, with a conditional third-round pick in 2026 (with the possibility of it becoming a second-rounder) as part of the deal.
A breakdown of the grade for the trade, plus ideas of how the Eagles will address the defense, lead today’s Eagles news!
Eagles Given Grade After ‘Major Gamble’ Involving Haason Reddick
While analysts are lauding the Jets for siphoning Reddick, an All-Pro defender, some also question the Eagles’ decision to make the trade.
Then there’s CBS Sports’ Jeff Kerr, who gave his critique of the trade — handing Philadelphia an even grade. The NFL columnist understands the move on the Eagles’ end after drafting Nolan Smith last season. However, it’s still considered a “major gamble” in his words.
Reddick wanted a pay raise, but Kerr shared how, at the age of 30, that would be considered a difficult proposition on Philadelphia’s end.
“By all accounts, Reddick was underpaid. The Eagles weren’t going to give Reddick a significant bump in pay or a new contract for a 30-year-old pass rusher,” Kerr wrote.
He added that while Philly dealing Reddick makes sense, “they are taking a huge gamble by moving on from Reddick when he has some good football left.”
Kerr also noted the Eagles could have pulled off a similar tactic to the one they deployed with Josh Sweat, namely, restructuring Reddick’s existing deal. That way, the need for a trade would have been nullified, and Reddick would have been allowed to enter free agency in the 2025 offseason.
But now, Philadelphia will have to rely on Smith taking a second-year leap while also banking on newcomer Bryce Huff to reignite this pass rush.
KEEP READING: Haason Reddick Trade Aftermath
Do Eagles Pursue Reddick’s Replacement in Draft?
Now comes this next burning question: Will the Eagles pursue Reddick’s potential replacement in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft? PFN turned to a breakthrough in mock drafts to help answer that.
On Friday, PFN unveiled the first-ever multi-user draft mock simulator, which now allows up to 10 users to conduct mock drafts against one another.
This new format enabled the PFN staff to address what the Eagles should do. And in PFN’s latest seven-round mock, Cam Mellor and Brian Blewis believe Philly should trade down to No. 26.
As a result, Mellor has Jared Verse going No. 22 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. As for the Eagles? Blewis projects defensive help coming to Philly — but in the form of versatile defensive back Cooper DeJean from Iowa at 26 overall, fortifying the secondary.
Are other outlets suggesting Philly pursues Reddick’s replacement? CBS Sports is another believer in the secondary getting addressed, with Ryan Wilson calling for Ennis Rakestraw Jr. from Missouri as the 22nd selection.
“The Eagles address their aging secondary with the energetic and physical Ennis Rakestraw Jr.,” Wilson says.
CONTINUE READING: Mellor’s NFL Mock Draft
Are Eagles Defending Saquon Barkley Contract?
Meanwhile, another major contract-related discussion involves Philadelphia’s most prized free agent pickup — running back Saquon Barkley.
While the former New York Giants star was handed a three-year, $37.75 million deal, some fans believe the Eagles overpaid for Barkley. Eagles CEO Jeffrey Lurie, however, helped defend the move during the NFL’s Owners Meetings in Orlando before Easter.
“We’re always looking for inefficiencies in the marketplace. And if we think the league is overvaluing the position or undervaluing a position, we will try our best … [to] take advantage of those inefficiencies,” Lurie said via Tim McManus of ESPN.
“That’s important as you try to maximize the salary cap and how you allocate resources within a defined space.”
Lurie believes Barkley’s “special skill set” influenced the wealthy deal.
“He exhibited a very special skill set both in the running and the passing game that we think certainly can be maximized by being on a team with better skill positions, quarterback, offensive line,” Lurie said.
RELATED: John Mara Refused To Trade Saquon Barkley
