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Eagles Rumors

Lions Acquire No. 132, Select Utah’s Sione Vaki

April 27th, 2024 at 12:46pm CST by Ben Levine

The Eagles are apparently determined to add as many 2025 picks as possible. The team has made their third trade of the day, sending picks No. 132 and No. 210 to the Lions for picks No. 164, No. 201, and a 2025 fourth-round pick.

The Lions have used their pick on Utah Swiss Army Knife Sione Vaki.

The prospect played on both sides of the ball during his time in college. On defense, he mostly played safety, collecting 92 tackles in 26 games across two seasons. He started playing some running back for the 2023 campaign and ended up garnering 42 carries for 317 yards and two touchdowns. He also added another 11 catches for 203 yards and three scores.

Considering that positional versatility, Vaki should have multiple paths to sticking around the NFL.

Texans Acquire No. 123, Select Ohio State TE Cade Stover

April 27th, 2024 at 12:18pm CST by Ben Levine

The Eagles have made yet another trade. Philly is sending No. 123 to the Texans for No. 127 and a 2025 fifth-round pick, per Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano.

Houston has used their new pick on tight end Cade Stover. The Ohio State product is the eighth TE off the board, including the fifth of the fourth round.

The six-foot-four, 255-pound tight end had productive 2022 and 2023 seasons at Ohio State, combining for 77 receptions, 982 receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns.

The Texans continue to add to their offense. Besides the team’s headline-grabbing Stefon Diggs trade, the team has also signed lineman David Sharpe and drafted lineman Blake Fisher. Now, they’ll be adding Stover to a depth chart that is led by veteran Dalton Schultz.

Dolphins Acquire No. 120, Select RB Jaylen Wright

April 27th, 2024 at 12:09pm CST by Ben Levine

The Dolphins have given up a future pick to trade into the fourth round. Miami has acquired pick No. 120 from the Eagles, sending Philly a 2025 third-round pick (per ESPN’s Field Yates).

The Dolphins have used their pick on Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright. Miami wasn’t set to pick until No. 158, so the team believed strongly enough in the prospect to sacrifice a surefire earlier pick in the 2025 draft.

After finishing his first season as a starting RB with 883 yards from scrimmage, Wright took it to another level in 2023. The prospect led the Tennessee offense with 1,154 yards from scrimmage, although he only finished the campaign with four touchdowns (down from the 10 touchdowns he scored in 2022).

The Dolphins used a third-round pick in last year’s draft on De’Von Achane, and they’re still rostering veterans Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr.. Wright is known for his dynamic speed (he ran a sub-4.4-second 40 time), so Mike McDaniel will surely find a way to use his newest weapon.

49ers Acquire No. 86 Pick From Eagles

April 26th, 2024 at 9:41pm CST by Adam La Rose

The 49ers have traded up the third-round order, swapping places with the Eagles. San Francisco has dealt Nos. 94 and 132 to Philadelphia in exchange for the 86th pick.

Taking advantage of the move up the board, the 49ers have drafted Kansas offensive lineman Dominick Puni. He has experience at tackle but also on the inside, and it will be interesting to see where he is used at the pro game. This marks the first selection on either side of the ball with respect to line of scrimmage additions during this year’s draft for San Francisco.

The 49ers have been deemed a team which could be in the market for help along the offensive line, though they elected to add at the receiver spot on Thursday night by selecting wideout Ricky Pearsall. That was followed by the decision to help fill the cornerback spot (Renardo Green), but Puni has the potential to see action early in his career, particularly if he is shifted to guard. 

The latter began his college career at Division II Central Missouri. Puni spent four years there, seeing time at left and right tackle. That was followed by his decision to transfer to Kansas, and he was a first-teamer with the Jayhawks as well. Puni started all 13 of his appearances in 2022 at the left guard spot before kicking back to the blindside during this past season.

San Francisco has Trent Williams entrenched as a foundational offensive piece at the left tackle position, although his future has been called into question with retirement as an option in the not-too-distant future. Colton McKivitz is on the books for the next two years, meanwhile, and he is in line on the right side. Puni’s quickest path to playing time will thus come at guard, and he is regarded as having starting upside – something which would go a long way to filling a notable need for the NFC champions.

Texans Move Up Eight Spots In Third Round, Trade With Eagles

April 26th, 2024 at 9:18pm CST by Ely Allen

The Texans have made a big move in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, trading up eight spots to select in the slot formerly owned by the Eagles. Houston is sending the Eagles its third- (86th) and fourth-round (123rd) picks in exchange for the 78th overall pick in third round.

With the pick, the Texans have selected USC safety Calen Bullock, ballhawk in Los Angeles for the Trojans. Earning a starting role partway through his freshman season, Bullock tallied two interceptions and five passes defensed en route to Freshman All-American honors. Bullock exploded onto the scene as a sophomore, leading USC with five interceptions and 10 passes defensed. He earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors for his efforts.

Last year, despite opposing quarterbacks having plenty of tape telling them not to throw his way, Bullock continued to dominate. With 61 tackles, two interceptions, and nine passes defensed, Bullock finished his collegiate career with first-team All-Pac-12 honors.

It was interesting to hear the team announce Bullock as a “defensive back” as some NFL draft boards had Bullock as a cornerback at the professional level. He has the ball skills and body control to play cornerback, though his college production came at safety and nickel.

Steven Nelson, a two-year Houston starting CB, remains in free agency; the Texans needed to find a cornerback to start opposite Derek Stingley. They brought in Jeff Okudah, a former top-three overall pick who has struggled so far at the NFL level, and then drafted Georgia cornerback Kamari Lassiter earlier tonight in the third round. Lassiter could thrive more in a nickelback role, though, so perhaps Houston doesn’t see Bullock as a cornerback.

Perhaps, the Texans see Bullock as the eventual replacement to veteran safety Jimmie Ward, who missed seven regular-season games and two playoff matchups in his age-32 season. Ward’s two-year deal concludes after this season, so Bullock may be seen as the eventual starter next to Jalen Pitre in 2025 and beyond. Regardless, Bullock’s versatility should help him see the field plenty as a rookie.

Eagles Acquire No. 40 From Commanders

April 26th, 2024 at 6:54pm CST by Adam La Rose

Trades continue to flood the top of the second round. The Eagles have moved up to No. 40, swapping places with the Commanders. Philadelphia will send 53 and 161 to Washington while picking up No. 78.

Adding further to their investments in the secondary, the Eagles are selecting Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean. The team went cornerback on Thursday night by drafting cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, and they have followed that up with another highly regarded contributor in the defensive backfield. DeJean is one of a few defenders who surprisingly did not hear their names called on Day 1.

Questions have been raised about his best position at the NFL level, having spent time both on the perimeter and in the slot. DeJean may see time at safety in the pros, but in any spot he will be counted on to provide starting-caliber play early on in his career. Over the past two seasons, he played a central role in Iowa’s defense while also demonstrating his special teams prowess.

DeJean raked up five interceptions in 2022, and he posted another two last season before a broken fibula ended his junior campaign. In spite of that missed time, the 6-1, 203-pounder was named a unanimous All-American after cementing his status as a versatile defender and a dynamic return man (11.5 yard average, one touchdown on punt returns).

The Eagles entered the offseason with plenty of questions at the CB spot with veterans Darius Slay and James Bradberry still in line to hold down starting positions. The addition of Mitchell will give the team another option on the outside, whereas DeJean could see time at nickel or safety. Philadelphia reunited with C.J. Gardner-Johnson in free agency, but DeJean will serve as depth behind him with the potential to become much more over time.

Eagles Extend WR A.J. Brown

April 25th, 2024 at 11:10pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Eagles have DeVonta Smith on the books through a lucrative extension, but the same is now true of fellow wideout A.J. Brown. The latter has agreed to a three-year, $96MM extension, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. The team has since announced the move.

This deal – which Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio suggested earlier Thursday night would become public – carries the highest AAV in league history amongst wideouts ($32MM). Rapoport adds Brown will collect $84MM in total guarantees, which is also a new watermark at the position. The three-time Pro Bowler is now under contract through the 2029 campaign.

Philadelphia became the first team in NFL history to extend a first-round wideout in his first year of eligibility during the fifth-year option era when they inked Smith to a three-year, $75MM pact. That contract comes in addition to his 2025 option year, and eyebrows were raised when he landed an AAV matching that of Brown. The latter had been attached to the four-year, $100MM pact he signed upon arrival from the Titans during the first round of the draft two years ago.

The $25MM annual average value of that agreement placed Brown in a tie for fourth amongst receivers as of the Smith agreement being worked out. As the position’s market continues to point upward (as demonstrated by yesterday’s decision by the Lions to extend Amon-Ra St. Brown), Brown will once again benefit. The 26-year-old has proven to be a vital member of the Eagles’ offense, posting 2,952 yards and 18 touchdowns in two Philadelphia seasons.

Considering his production, Brown’s scheduled 2024 cap hit of $12.38MM represents a bargain. It will be interesting to see if that figure changes as a a result of this new deal, but in any event future cap numbers could be reduced. Heading into Thursday, the Ole Miss product was due to count $26.5MM and $41.5MM in 2025 and ’26, respectively. Flattening out those hits will likely be a by-product of today’s move.

In any case, this agreement marks the latest of several massive investments made by the Eagles on the offensive side of the ball this offseason. Along with Smith, Brown joins left tackle Jordan Mailata and left tackle Landon Dickerson in landing monster new contracts recently. He will be counted on to continue producing top-tier production in the passing game, and the ongoing presence of many of Philadelphia’s foundational offensive contributors makes it likely that will be the case.

Eagles Draft CB Quinyon Mitchell At No. 22

April 25th, 2024 at 9:47pm CST by Adam La Rose

The first cornerback has come off the board, and to little surprise the Eagles are the team to make the first move at the position. Philadelphia has selected Toledo cover man Quinyon Mitchell 22nd overall.

This selection comes after multiple reports tabbed Howie Roseman as exploring a move up the first-round board for a corner. The Eagles had traded up in four of the previous five first rounds, but the team — either unable to find a suitable trade or preferring to stay put based on how the board stacked up — stood pat and will begin developing the mid-major prospect to likely emerge as a starter. Age has become an issue for the NFC East club at this position.

Mitchell exploded onto the scene in his second full season as a starter. While leading the MAC in interceptions with five, two of which were returned for touchdowns, Mitchell earned first-team All-MAC honors. But he caught the national eye after leading the country in passes defensed with 25, helping him to earn second-team All-American honors. He followed that up with a strong 2023 season, as well, in which he recorded one interception and 19 passes defensed (leading the MAC) and earned the same All-MAC and All-American accolades.

The Eagles desperately needed help at cornerback. With Slay at 33 years old and James Bradberry turning 31 before the start of the 2024 season, Philadelphia was lacking effective youth at the cornerback position. Both players had down years in 2023, as well, with Slay ranking as Pro Football Focus’ 55th-best cornerback in the league and Bradberry ranking 100th. The Eagles may continue to start Slay and Bradberry, considering how much money they’ve sunk into the two, but expect Mitchell to find his way onto the field early and often as a rookie.

Mitchell becomes the first first-round draft pick out of Toledo since Dan Williams in 1993. Mitchell also becomes the Rockets’ second-highest draft pick in NFL history behind Williams, who was drafted 11th overall. He’ll look to join Kareem Hunt and Diontae Johnson as the next pick name out of Toledo in the NFL.

Ely Allen contributed to this post.

NFC East Notes: Eagles, CBs, Smith, Giants, Draft, Cowboys, McCarthy

April 25th, 2024 at 2:13pm CST by Sam Robinson

Buzz earlier this week pointed to the Eagles making a trade-up effort ahead of Round 1. More is coming out on another potential Philly climb up the first-round board. The Eagles, who have traded up in four of the past five first rounds, are making an aggressive effort to try and move up the board, Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz tweets. Going further here, Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano notes the Eagles are “frantically” trying to trade up, listing cornerback as the most likely target. The Eagles hold the No. 22 overall pick.

The Eagles have not chosen a corner in Round 1 since 2002 (Lito Sheppard), but the team has two 30-somethings (Darius Slay, James Bradberry) in place as starters and certainly struggled down the stretch last season. Tackle has come up as a potential Philly target as well, and while this is a good draft to add help here, the team’s trend of ahead-of-the-curve O-line moves will need to be weighed against a more pressing need in coverage.

Here is the latest from the NFC East, moving first to the Giants’ draft approach:

  • If the Giants want to trade up for a quarterback, they might need to target the Cardinals at No. 4. Barring a big offer, the Patriots are expected to stay at 3 and draft Drake Maye. The North Carolina passer has been mentioned frequently as a Giants trade-up target, potentially putting New York to the test (re: J.J. McCarthy) or leading to the team standing down and selecting a wideout at 6. The Giants should be expected to send the Patriots an offer, according to Vacchiano, but they appear less likely to trade up from No. 6 compared to where they stood a few weeks ago. If the Giants stay at 6, they are viewed as interested in adding a top-flight wideout — likely Marvin Harrison Jr. or Malik Nabers — though things could get quite interesting if McCarthy remains on the board.
  • The Cowboys may want someone to target their No. 24 pick in a trade-up maneuver, per the Dallas Morning News’ David Moore, who writes, adding the team does not have 24 first-round grades on players in this class. Dallas has a clear need on its offensive line, not doing much (besides re-signing swing tackle Chuma Edoga) as Tyron Smith and Tyler Biadasz exited in free agency. Center and either LT or LG are needs, depending on where the Cowboys see Tyler Smith lining up. Impressing at both tackle and guard, Tyler Smith gives the Cowboys options. This is a loaded tackle draft, however, and value may well line up with the Cowboys’ needs.
  • Staying on the subject of the Cowboys, Mike McCarthy made an interesting move this week. The rare coach set to go into a lame-duck year, McCarthy hired agent Don Yee, per ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter. Yee represents the likes of Sean Payton and Jim Harbaugh, two of the NFL’s highest-paid coaches, and will bring an interesting wrinkle to a Dallas equation involving a coach on a hot seat despite three straight 12-5 seasons.
  • DeVonta Smith‘s three-year, $75MM Eagles deal includes four void years, which will keep the extension’s cap hits manageable in the near future. Smith is tied to cap numbers of $8.1MM, $7.5MM and $10.7MM over the next three years. Void-year proponents, the Eagles would face a big dead money hit ($35.8MM) if Smith is unsigned by March 2029. For the foreseeable future, however, Philly has the 2021 first-round pick tied to a deal that will not affect its cap sheets too much.

2025 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker

April 24th, 2024 at 10:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

NFL teams have until May 2 to officially pick up fifth-year options on 2021 first-rounders. The 2020 CBA revamped the option structure and made them fully guaranteed, rather than guaranteed for injury only. Meanwhile, fifth-year option salaries are now determined by a blend of the player’s position, initial draft placement and performance- and usage-based benchmarks:

  • Two-time Pro Bowlers (excluding alternates) will earn the same as their position’s franchise tag
  • One-time Pro Bowlers will earn the equivalent of the transition tag
  • Players who achieve any of the following will receive the average of the third-20th-highest salaries at their position:
    • At least a 75% snap rate in two of their first three seasons
    • A 75% snap average across all three seasons
    • At least 50% in each of first three seasons
  • Players who do not hit any of those benchmarks will receive the average of the third-25th top salaries at their position

With the deadline looming, we will use the space below to track all the option decisions from around the league:

  1. QB Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars ($25.66MM): Exercised
  2. QB Zach Wilson, Broncos* ($22.41MM): Declined
  3. QB Trey Lance, Cowboys** ($22.41MM): Declined
  4. TE Kyle Pitts, Falcons ($10.88MM): Exercised
  5. WR Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals ($21.82MM): Exercised
  6. WR Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins ($15.59MM): Exercised
  7. T Penei Sewell, Lions ($19MM): Extended through 2029
  8. CB Jaycee Horn, Panthers ($12.47MM): Exercised
  9. CB Patrick Surtain, Broncos ($19.82MM): Exercised
  10. WR DeVonta Smith, Eagles ($15.59MM): Extended through 2028
  11. QB Justin Fields, Steelers*** ($25.66MM): Declined
  12. DE Micah Parsons, Cowboys ($21.32MM): Exercised
  13. T Rashawn Slater, Chargers ($19MM): Exercised
  14. OL Alijah Vera-Tucker, Jets ($13.31MM): Exercised
  15. QB Mac Jones, Jaguars**** ($25.66MM): Declined
  16. LB Zaven Collins, Cardinals ($13.25MM): Declined
  17. T Alex Leatherwood, Raiders: N/A
  18. LB Jaelan Phillips, Dolphins ($13.3MM): Exercised
  19. LB Jamin Davis, Commanders ($14.48MM): Declined
  20. WR Kadarius Toney, Chiefs***** ($14.35MM): Declined
  21. DE Kwity Paye, Colts ($13.4MM): Exercised
  22. CB Caleb Farley, Titans ($12.47MM): Declined
  23. T Christian Darrisaw, Vikings ($16MM): Exercised
  24. RB Najee Harris, Steelers ($6.79MM): Declined
  25. RB Travis Etienne, Jaguars ($6.14MM): Exercised
  26. CB Greg Newsome, Browns ($13.38MM): To be exercised
  27. WR Rashod Bateman, Ravens ($14.35MM): N/A; extended through 2026
  28. DE Payton Turner, Saints ($13.39MM): Declined
  29. CB Eric Stokes, Packers ($12.47MM): Declined
  30. DE Greg Rousseau, Bills ($13.39MM): Exercised
  31. LB Odafe Oweh, Ravens ($13.25MM): Exercised
  32. LB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Buccaneers ($13.25MM): Declined

* = Jets traded Wilson on April 22, 2024
** = 49ers traded Lance on August 25, 2023
*** = Bears traded Fields on March 16, 2024
**** = Patriots traded Jones on March 10, 2024
***** = Giants traded Toney on October 27, 2022

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