Philadelphia Eagles win Golden Tate trade but lose the deadline

The Eagles added a big piece to their offense but failed to fill their biggest needs

Philadelphia Eagles executive Howie Roseman is known as one of the most aggressive executives in the NFL when it comes to making his team better. He took a team decimated by Chip Kelly and turned them into a Super Bowl winner in two years.

Roseman executed the trade up for Carson Wentz, acquired Jay Ajayi at last years trade deadline, and picked up pass rusher Michael Bennett in the offseason for practically nothing.

Philadelphia continued to be aggressive coming off a big win over the Jaguars in London by acquiring wide receiver Golden Tate from the Detroit Lions.

Already armed with an extra second round pick after trading down last year with the Baltimore Ravens, the Super Bowl champions were ready to add another piece for their repeat attempt.

CINCINNATI, OH – DECEMBER 24: Golden Tate #15 of the Detroit Lions takes the field prior to the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by John Grieshop/Getty Images) /

Adding Tate for a third round pick was a bit pricy, but in the end Philadelphia could recoup that value. Tate is in the final year of his contract and should the Eagles chose not to retain him, they’ll receive a compensatory pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Where that pick will be depends on the type of contract Tate signs, but given his status in the league the Eagles could find themselves receiving a third round pick in 2020 should Tate walk this offseason.

Essentially, the Eagles traded back a couple of spots in the third round and added a Pro Bowl receiver who is coming off back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons.

While the Eagles appear to have done well with this move, it’s not the move they desperately needed. Roseman was certainly working the phones to add a running back and possibly for a cornerback with Jalen Mills struggling.

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It’s hard to place blame on a team for not making certain moves because, as fans and analysts, we don’t know what the market or conversations were like. For all we know Philadelphia had a deal for Le’Veon Bell that fell through at the last minute. We simply do not know what went into the Eagles trade deadline efforts.

Wide receiver was a need for Philadelphia, but it wasn’t necessarily glaring compared to running back, corner, or even offensive line. Since Alshon Jeffery returned from shoulder surgery the Eagles depth chart looks strong with him paired with Nelson Agholor and Jordan Matthews. Granted the Eagles lost Mike Wallace and Mack Hollins to injuries, but the Eagles starting three was good enough to beat a good Jacksonville defense in London.

Matthews returned midseason after Philadelphia traded him to Buffalo for Ronald Darby a couple of years ago. He’s one of Wentz’s favorite targets and their connection showed up once again this year. Now Matthews moves to being the number four receiver, and if you count Zach Ertz, who leads the team in receptions by 23, Matthews becomes the number five option for Wentz.

Running back is still weak with Darren Sproles out for a couple more weeks and Jay Ajayi out for the season. Josh Adams showed some promise in London and Wendell Smallwood appears to have solved his case of the fumbles, which nearly lost him a roster spot in the preseason.