Why The Eagles Trade Back To 12 Was The Best Case Scenario
On March 26th, 2021, the San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins, and the Philadelphia Eagles took the NFL world by storm with two huge blockbuster deals. The 49ers acquiring the number 3 overall draft pick from the Miami Dolphins for San Francisco's number 12 overall pick, a 2022 third-rounder, and their 2022 and 2023 first round picks. 29 minutes later the Eagles traded their number 6 overall draft pick to the Dolphins for the number 12 overall pick just acquired from San Francisco, their 2022 first-rounder, and a swap of mid-round picks ( pick 156 to Miami, pick 123 to Philadelphia ). The Eagles fan base's reaction to this deal after the news broke was nothing close to excitement. Eagles fans flooded to social media to express their unhappiness with the move and the Eagles' official post of the trade on twitter actually getting ratio'd by the fans. And I'm here to give you a positive mindset to this big blockbuster deal.
To first understand why this trade was a good move, a realization in Eagles fans' minds has to come. This is not a good football team at all. This off-season, this team was in the cellar in salary cap and needed to get younger and start a rebuild. This trade allows you to do so. You slide down 6 picks to potentially have 3 first-rounders in 2022 if Carson Wentz plays 75 percent of the snaps, and you moved up 33 spots in the middle rounds of the draft. For a rebuilding football team that sounds like a good deal if you ask me.
Another positive is this deal is a further commitment to giving your young 2nd-year Quarterback, Jalen Hurts, a shot in 2021. There was reports of the Eagles attempting to get up to 3 to select Zach Wilson but I don't truly know how accurate they are. It doesn't make sense to try and move up to Miami's original selection then after San Francisco moves into that pick you move down with Miami who you were just trying to trade up with. Ian Rapoport broke that news the day the deals went down so I'm sure it had some legs, but I'm not sure it was a true inquire to move up. The logic isn't necessarily there to make that move after trying to move up with that same team to put it nicely.
The biggest reason the general Eagles fan base was upset with this move is the potential of missing out on Ja'Marr Chase and Kyle Pitts. I'm upset as well. The Eagles probably won't be getting both of these players, but let me tell you about some other guys that could be available at pick 12, that have the potential to be impact players on whatever football team they are drafted to.
The first two guys are the dynamic duo of Alabama WR's De'Vonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle. To me, these are the two most likely guys that can get drafted to the Eagles at number 12 overall. Both have continuity and chemistry with the quarterback Jalen Hurts, both are exceptional playmakers with the ball in their hands, both are great route runners, have great hands, and have WR1 potential which is what the Eagles need. The next most realistic scenario at 12, to me, is one of the top 3 corners in the draft. Either Patrick Surtain, Jaycee Horn, or Caleb Farley. All 3 would be great selections at this pick and would be a nice addition to a secondary that badly needs help at corner other than Darius Slay. The last option and the most fascinating of the options is Penn State linebacker, Micah Parsons. This guy has the potential to be a franchise defensive piece for the next decade. Freak of an athlete, good instincts, good football IQ, and an absolute baller on the field. This guy would be an insane upgrade to a linebacking core that desperately needs help. Parson's next to last year's standout, Alex Singleton, would have the potential to be the next great Philadelphia Eagles defensive player.
Overall this move back to number 12th pick was a phenomenal move by GM Howie Roseman. It not only gives the Eagles the chance to get an impact player this year but gives the Eagles a chance to improve, not only for the 2022 season but it provides options and flexibility for years to come.