Eagles Notes: Matthews, Agholor, Kendricks

Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com sees six players as potential trade candidates for the Eagles. The list includes wide receivers Nelson Agholor and Jordan Matthews, two players who were once viewed as future pillars of the Eagles’ offense. When it comes to Matthews, the Eagles seem content to let him play out the final season of his contract, and that’s not a good sign for his future. Meanwhile, the Eagles would be taking a significant dead money hit by releasing Agholor, but it’s conceivable that they could trade him for a late draft pick if he has a strong preseason. Other players on the trade candidate list include linebacker Mychal Kendricks, center Jason Kelce, offensive lineman Allen Barbre, and defensive tackle Beau Allen.

Here’s more on the Eagles:

  • The Eagles failed to make major upgrades to the secondary this offseason and that unit stands as the Eagles’ biggest weakness, Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News writes. In essence, the Eagles are hoping that the additions to the pass rush will help take some pressure off of the secondary. That may be the case, but they’ll be in trouble if starting safeties Rodney McLeod and Malcolm Jenkins get injured. The Eagles’ may want to make an August signing to augment a group of reserve safeties currently headlined by Jaylen Watkns, Terrence Brooks, and Chris Maragos.
  • David Murphy of the Daily News wonders if the Eagles really need to keep six receivers. Free agent additions Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith are locks to make the roster and the same pretty much goes for Matthews and Agholor, barring a trade. Fourth-round pick Mack Hollins seems to have a firm grip on his place, leaving fifth round rookie Shelton Gibson, Paul Turner, and a few others to vie for a sixth WR spot. Murphy argues that a No. 6 WR might not be necessary with a trio of tight ends to use and running backs Donnel Pumphrey and Darren Sproles to utilize in the passing game.
  • ESPN.com’s Tim McManus predicts that this will be the year the Eagles part with former first-round pick Marcus Smith. By cutting him before the third day of training camp, the Eagles can avoid paying his $594K roster bonus and clear nearly $1.5MM in cap space. The defensive end has yet to make a start at the professional level.
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