Philadelphia Eagles rumors: Trading back into the top-10 would be clever

After a laughably bad 4-11-1 season, the one shining beacon of hope that Philadelphia Eagles fans had heading into this year’s offseason was the team’s first-round pick. The Eagles were set to select sixth overall – guaranteeing them a shot at a “blue chip” prospect.

However, in typical Howie Roseman fashion, the Eagles general manager decided to shuffle around his picks a few weeks before the draft began. In a trade processed with the Miami Dolphins, Roseman moved down from pick 6 to pick 12, gathering a future first-rounder in the process.

While fans of the team were quick to express their displeasure with the decision to move out of the top-10, it was in all honesty a pretty sweet deal for the Eagles. They absolutely fleeced the Dolphins from a pure “value” standpoint, and Roseman has now set himself up to potentially have three first-round picks in 2022.

While some may value the potential to draft someone like Kyle Pitts or Ja’Marr Chase over the future draft capital, the Eagles have so many roster holes that acquiring the Dolphins’ 2022 first-rounder was likely in their best interest.

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Now, with the NFL Draft less than two weeks away, it looks like the Eagles might be able to get the best of both worlds.

According to The Athletic’s Ben Standig, the Philadelphia Eagles have been conducting exploratory conversations in regards to moving back up into the top-10. ESPN’s Tim McManus reported a similar thing earlier this week, citing that ““it feels like there’s another shoe yet to drop” in regards to the Eagles 2021 draft status.

At first glance, trading back up into the top-10 after already exiting it makes little sense. However, pulling off such a move would actually be quite the maneuver from Howie Roseman.

The Eagles gathered themselves an extra first-round pick during their initial trade down, an agreement that likely hinges on the fact that Miami desperately wanted someone who they expect to be available at 6 (Pitts or Chase, most likely). Taking advantage of Miami’s aggressiveness was smart, even if it knocked Philly out of the top-10 initially.

The Philadelphia Eagles are eyeing up a trade back into the top-10.

Set to enter this year’s draft with 11 total draft picks , there’s no reason the Eagles shouldn’t be able to move back up for a top tier WR or CB. The Lions at 7 and the Broncos at 9 have been named as likely suitors, and it’s unlikely that either team would be able to coax a first-round pick out of Philadelphia.

In theory, the Eagles could end up drafting their choice of elite prospect at pick 7 or 9, while still keeping hold of all their future first-rounders. Giving up a Day 2 pick in this year’s draft (the Eagles have three of them!) would likely be enough to jump up a few spots for a non-quarterback.

To wrap this whole discussion up, the Eagles finding a way to select a player in the top-10 of this year’s draft, while simultaneously snagging Miami’s 2022 first-rounder, would be quite the maneuver from Howie Roseman and company. The Eagles could have first dibs on DeVonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle, Patrick Surtain II, or possibly even Penei Sewell.

For as much as we all like to (rightfully) bash Howie’s decisions the last few seasons, this specific lump of transactions would be an impressive one.