The Eagles pursued Trey Hendrickson in free agency, but their edge rusher haul has not brought clear starters. Philadelphia added Arnold Ebiketie and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka to a group housing Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt. It would stand to reason Howie Roseman is looking for more help after the Jaelan Phillips free agency defection.
Believed to be close to a deal to retain the 2025 trade pickup, the Eagles watched Phillips leave for a monster Panthers offer (four years, $120MM). They then discussed Jonathan Greenard with the Vikings, but Minnesota has held onto its two-year edge rusher. The Vikings are still believed to want a “premium” Day 2 pick for Greenard, according to ESPN’s Dan Graziano. Greenard has been seeking a contract update, but nothing has transpired on that front either.
Minnesota is still aiming to hold onto Greenard, but Graziano adds talks could pick up during the draft. Though, discussions on Greenard have “lost steam” recently. With more than 24 hours until Day 2 begins, the NFC teams could continue negotiations surrounding the seventh-year pass rusher. The Eagles hold the Nos. 54, 68 and 96 picks in this year’s draft.
The Vikings will assuredly target the No. 54 selection, and with Greenard having two years left on his deal, that would be reasonable for the NFC North team to target. Still, the Vikings are “really trying” to keep Greenard, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. That can be partially translated to the Vikes setting a high asking price. Philly does appear open to extending Greenard, who combined for 24.5 sacks from 2023-24 before an injury-shortened 2025 season.
The Bears gave up a second-round pick for Montez Sweat, while the Dolphins surrendered first- and fourth-rounders for Bradley Chubb. Both players were in contract years and required immediate extensions. It is unclear if Greenard will force the issue, but with two years left on his $76MM pact, he does not have considerable leverage. Greenard joins the Steelers’ Alex Highsmith as possibly attainable edge rushers with two years left on upper-middle-class contracts, though Greenard appears more attainable than Highsmith. Like Pittsburgh, Minnesota would have two EDGE starters ready if a trade occurs; the Vikes have Andrew Van Ginkel and 2024 first-rounder Dallas Turner rostered as well.
Philadelphia is looking to make a draft-weekend deal, per Graziano. While this seemingly pertains to a veteran, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer notes the team has made calls exploring trade-up opportunities. Philly holds the No. 23 overall pick tonight. No A.J. Brown move is expected until at least June 2, with that date making a trade financially realistic (which it presently is not), but it may take longer due to the Eagles and Patriots not being aligned on trade compensation presently.
We heard a bit ago the Eagles would target offense early in this draft. The team has chosen defenders with seven of its past eight first- or second-round picks, with 2022 second-rounder Cam Jurgens the most recent offensive player picked in this range. Specifically, The Athletic’s Zach Berman points to a pass catcher or a tackle to be prioritized early.
The Eagles trading Brown probably means a Day 1 or Day 2 receiver pick will be necessary, even after the team traded for Dontayvion Wicks and signed Marquise Brown. While the team also re-signed Dallas Goedert, he will turn 32 by season’s end and is only on a one-year deal. Philly has seen Lane Johnson run into frequent health trouble, and while the potential Hall of Famer is returning for a 14th season, he will turn 36 this year. Landon Dickerson is only 27, but he also considered retirement this offseason. A first-round O-line investment is on Philly’s radar.