The Philadelphia Eagles have been busy this offseason on the trade front, dealing Carson Wentz and later trading down from the No. 6 pick. With the 2021 NFL Draft less than two weeks away, general manager Howie Roseman could have another card up his sleeve.
Philadelphia is starting to overhaul its roster, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Wentz, DeSean Jackson and Jason Peters are all gone. Meanwhile, Pro Bowl tight end Zach Ertz has been the subject of trade rumors all spring. Things seemed to be gaining steam in March, but the Eagles ultimately wouldn’t budge off their asking price.
While things have been relatively quiet ever since, Philadelphia is still making calls around the league. There’s a growing buzz the Eagles could jump up from No. 12 overall if a quarterback they love slides, but there’s also a great chance one of the elite wide receiver prospects falls right to Philadelphia.
There is plenty of focus on the team’s plans with its current first-round pick, but it might not be the only one Roseman makes on Day 1 of the 2021 NFL Draft. ESPN’s Tim McManus, who covers the team, wrote that the Eagles might consider moving up from the 37th pick to get back into the first round.
It would take the right team, as clubs like the New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers already have plenty of Day 2 and Day 3 picks. As McManus notes, though, Ertz could be a candidate to be packaged in a draft-day deal. If that happens, one team really stands out as a fit.
How a Zach Ertz trade to the Buffalo Bills can work
Since rumors of an Ertz trade first surfaced, the Los Angeles Chargers and Buffalo Bills have been the most discussed landing spots. The Chargers signed Jared Cook during the offseason and don’t have a late first-round pick that would work in this hypothetical scenario.
Buffalo wants to upgrade at tight end, finding another reliable weapon for Josh Allen. While injuries have limited Ertz in recent seasons, he is still a talented player and would immediately become the best tight end on the Bills’ roster. A trade could look something like this.
- Philadelphia Eagles trade: 37th overall pick, Zach Ertz, 224th overall pick
- Buffalo Bills trade: 30th overall pick
It equates to valuing Ertz at a fourth-round and sixth-round pick level. In talks, Roseman has been seeking a third-round pick for the 30-year-old tight end. Meanwhile, clubs haven’t been willing to go past a fifth-round selection. While Philadelphia is the one sending additional picks in this scenario, it jumps back into the first round.
Assuming the Eagles draft Jaylen Waddle or DeVonta Smith at No. 12, they could address the secondary with the 30th pick. Caleb Farley, a top-10 talent, has fallen down draft boards due to medical concerns. If he can stay healthy, this would be a steal. Philadelphia could also consider cornerback Eric Stokes, Asante Samuel Jr. or center Landon Dickerson.
As for the Bills, they make their offense stronger and can still find a No. 2 cornerback early on Day 2. It could be a win-win trade for both sides and would make Ertz very happy.
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