The Philadelphia Eagles entered the bye week on a positive note, winning back-to-back games to improve to 6-2. With the trade deadline right around the corner on Tuesday, the Eagles could use this time to make moves to upgrade the roster. They already added depth to their cornerback rotation by trading for Michael Carter earlier this week, but whether there will be more moves to follow remains to be seen.
On paper, the Eagles don't have any immediate needs as they have solid depth in most key positions. An obvious move they at least need to consider, however, is trading linebacker Nakobe Dean ahead of Nov. 4.
Eagles Must Seriously Consider Moving On from Nakobe Dean
Dean returned to action in Week 6 after being sidelined since January, when he tore his patellar tendon against the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card round. He has been slowly getting integrated into the rotation and played a season-high 33 snaps against the New York Giants in Week 8. He is not at the elite linebacker level he was last season so far, and that is to be expected. The need to trade him has little to do with his on-field play but everything to do with the rest of the roster and his contract.
The former third-round pick is in the final year of his rookie-scale contract. He is going to need a new contract at the end of the year, but the Eagles should be hesitant to give him the deal that he deserves on the open market.
Jihaad Campbell and Zack Baun are one of the best linebacker duos in the league. They play almost every snap and have been two of the best defenders for the Eagles all season. Campbell has recently been moved to the pass rush as the team is short-handed on that front. The rookie has performed admirably there as well, but that is not the best use of his skill set. Not utilizing one of the best linebackers in the league in his position is not an ideal situation for any team.
Ideally, the Eagles would have Baun and Campbell play as many snaps as they can handle in the middle of the field. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. is also in the mix and is a solid backup option in the rotation. Dean doesn't have a natural place in this rotation, without defensive coordinator Vic Fangio having to do serious re-shuffling. Once Nolan Smith Jr. and Azeez Ojulari return to the pass rush rotation, Campbell should return to his linebacker role, squeezing Dean out further.
Instead of diminishing Dean's role in the second half of the season and letting him sign elsewhere in free agency, it behooves the Eagles to get something in return for a talented young player with upside. They could either get significant draft capital or get a player in return in a position of bigger need. Whether general manager Howie Roseman feels the same way remains to be seen.