Philadelphia Eagles: Trade targets in the 2021 NFL Draft
By David Glancy
After trading the sixth overall pick to Miami, it would seem unlikely that the Philadelphia Eagles would then trade back up in the draft. However, seeing the Dolphins did just that after trading the third overall pick to San Francisco, the Eagles could be in a position to move back up in the 2021 NFL Draft. Their decision to do so will be dictated by a potential quarterback trade frenzy.
Both Atlanta and Detroit would appear the most likely to trade back to either Denver or New England in an effort to select either Fields, Jones, or Lance. With Cincinnati likely selecting Peni Sewell and the Dolphins adding one of the explosive receivers, there could be significantly less value with Carolina’s pick at eight or one of the following picks, creating an interest to trade back up.
If the quarterback frenzy dies down within the top ten, the Eagles could be in a position to trade up and select their top prospect without having to sacrifice one of their future top picks. The most intriguing of those prospects would be Florida tight end, Kyle Pitts.
Drafting Pitts would give the Eagles another explosive playmaker who could lineup as a tight end or receiver in certain packages. Pitts is arguably the best athlete in the entire 2021 NFL Draft class and would provide Hurts both a safety blanket at tight end and a primary receiver with the impending departure of Zach Ertz.
Outside of Pitts, the next most likely offensive playmaker the Eagles would consider trading up for would-be between Alabama’s dynamic wide receiver duo. After watching Ruggs, Jeudy, and Lamb get drafted before selecting Jalen Reagor as the fourth receiver in last spring’s Draft, the Eagles could look to avoid a similar fate and move up for either Jaylen Waddle or DeVonta Smith, with Ja’Marr Chase mocked to Miami at six.
Looking beyond a receiving prospect in what should be another deep class, the Philadelphia Eagles could look to address needs at the line of scrimmage or in their secondary. After watching the Bengals select Sewell at five, the Eagles could look to add stability to their line with Northwestern’s Rashawn Slater.
Slater could lineup at either tackle or guard spot in an aging and often injured offensive line. Meanwhile, the Eagles have indicated significant interest in South Carolina cornerback Jaycee Horn and could be tempted to move up a couple of spots to take their top defensive prospect in the 2021 NFL Draft.