After suffering a pair of surprising losses, the Philadelphia Eagles got back on track in Week 8 with a victory over the New York Giants. Considering how the Giants were one of the teams that had beaten the Eagles during their recent two-game losing streak, it was encouraging to see Philly extract some revenge on its way to getting back in the win column.
However, it’s clear this team has some glaring areas of need as the trade deadline draws near, and the expectation across the league is that they could be busy over the next few days. The Eagles have been hit hard by injuries along their defensive line, and according to some recent rumors, it sounds like they are targeting a pair of star AFC East pass rushers on the trade market.
Eagles Pursuing Jaelan Phillips, Jermaine Johnson Trades
Just last season, the Eagles’ front seven on defense was a big reason why they prevailed in Super Bowl LIX. This season, though, has been a different story. Several key players have been forced to miss time with injuries, and Za’Darius Smith abruptly retired last month. Getting Brandon Graham to come out of retirement and rejoin the team certainly helps, but he’s really only a situational pass rusher at this stage of the game.
With more help needed beyond the return of Graham, the Eagles have been pursuing several of the top defensive line targets on the trade market. Two guys who have stood out to their front office are Jaelan Phillips of the Miami Dolphins and Jermaine Johnson of the New York Jets, and with the deadline drawing near, their pursuit of both guys appears to be ramping up.
Phillips and Johnson are appealing trade targets for similar reasons. Both guys are former first-round picks who have battled injuries throughout their careers, but when they are healthy and on the field, they both have been wildly productive. Add in the fact that the Dolphins and Jets are among the worst teams in the league, and an attractive trade offer could convince them to move off of these guys.
“The Eagles have inquired about two AFC East pass rushers: Miami’s Jaelan Phillips and New York’s Jermaine Johnson,” Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported. “Philadelphia remains interested in adding a pass rusher ahead of the Nov. 4 trade deadline.”
Should the Eagles Trade for Jaelan Phillips, Jermaine Johnson?
GettyNew York Jets edge rusher Jermaine Johnson II
Any help Philadelphia can get along its defensive line has to be considered if the team is serious in its quest to repeat as Super Bowl champions. However, there is some risk that must be considered when it comes to trading for either Phillips or Johnson. As noted above, both guys have dealt with injuries throughout their careers, and while Johnson has one year left on his rookie deal, Phillips is scheduled to hit free agency this upcoming offseason.
It’s a seller’s market this year, which means that the asking price is going to be high for these guys. General manager Howie Roseman is perhaps the most aggressive executive across the league when it comes to trades, though, and if he comes across a deal he likes, there’s no doubt he’ll pull the trigger. With that in mind, it will be worth keeping tabs on both Phillips and Johnson to see if the Eagles swing a deal for one of them before the deadline.
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