3 Realistic Trade Targets for the Eagles at 2024 Deadline
By Jovan Alford
After a disappointing 2-2 start through the first four games of the 2024 season, the Philadelphia Eagles have turned their season around with back-to-back wins over the Cleveland Browns and the New York Giants.
With those two victories, the Eagles have a record of 4-2 and are in second place behind the Washington Commanders (5-2). Philadelphia has set itself up for a strong end of October to catapult them into the stretch run.
However, for the Eagles to catch up to the Commanders and make a playoff push, they might need to make one or two trades to bolster a couple of positions of need. Philadelphia’s pass rusher has shown signs of life over the last two weeks, which is encouraging after their slow start to the season.
But the Eagles could use another pass rusher to give them another option off the EDGE in Vic Fangio’s scheme. In addition to an EDGE rusher, Philadelphia could use another tight end on offense, given the latest injury to starter Dallas Goedert.
Below, we’ll highlight three realistic trade targets for the Eagles ahead of next month’s trade deadline.
1. Za’Darius Smith, DE, Browns
With the Cleveland Browns struggling and on pace to have a top-5 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Browns might be looking to trade the veteran defensive lineman.
Last week, the Browns parted ways with star wide receiver Amari Cooper and could look to offload more veterans to get more draft capital. The 32-year-old defensive end re-signed with the Browns on a two-year, $23 million deal this offseason.
Through seven games this season, Smith has been a playmaker off the edge for Cleveland’s defense. The three-time Pro Bowler produced 18 combined tackles, five quarterback hits, four sacks, and three tackles for loss.
If you take Smith’s stats with the Browns and place them on the Eagles, he would be their team leader in sacks. The veteran defender has a potential out in his contract for 2025, which could be appealing for a contending team looking for an additional pass rusher.
That said, the Eagles will have some competition for Smith, especially with a team like the Detroit Lions, who could use a starter on the defensive line after young star Aidan Hutchinson suffered a season-ending injury.
Therefore, if it becomes a bidding war, Philadelphia must decide how much they could give up, considering he might not be a starter with Josh Sweat and Bryce Huff.