Zach Ertz Draft Day trade scenario: Eagles move back into the first round

We are now one day away from the NFL draft and Zach Ertz is still on the Eagles roster. It was reported some time ago that the team was seeking a 3rd or 4th-round pick for the former Pro Bowl tight end, but it seems as though no such offer has been presented.

When it comes to the draft, however, the Eagles may be able to include Ertz in a package and potentially move up. Per Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network, there are still several teams in the hunt for Ertz’ services:

I’m told there are six to seven teams in the running, including the Indianapolis Colts. Many tell me it’s a situation where Howie Roseman will try and squeeze as much as possible from a team that wants Ertz considering the weakness of the tight end class. As we previously reported, the Eagles’ initial third-round asking price was too much for teams initially interested.

There is one trade scenario the Eagles could propose that would fill a need for both teams:

New Orleans Saints receive:	Philadelphia Eagles receive:
TE Zach Ertz, #37 pick, #150 pick	#28 pick

New Orleans let Jared Cook walk in free agency and only have Adam Trautman & newly-signed Nick Vannett replacing him. Trautman is a promising young talent but is still raw in many areas while Vannett is more of a blocking specialist. Whether it’s Taysom Hill or Jameis Winston under center for the Saints in the future, Ertz would bring a veteran presence to a team that is hoping to stay competitive in the post-Drew Brees era.

The most important factor for the Eagles in this trade is getting ahead of one of Baltimore’s picks. After acquiring the #31 overall pick from Kansas City in the Orlando Brown trade, Baltimore now has two opportunities to select a coveted player that the Eagles may have their eyes on. Given Baltimore’s need at WR, both teams could have similar interest in Kadarious Toney or Terrace Marshall Jr. if the Eagles address defense early on. Moving back into the first round here is essential.

Ertz played in just 11 games last season catching 36 passes for 335 yards and a single touchdown. Ertz’s base salary for 2021 is roughly $8.5M.

Zach Ertz had a heartfelt message to Philadelphia after what could have been his final game as an Eagle.😥 pic.twitter.com/2LfDdyFqsT

— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) January 4, 2021

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Mandatory Credit: Mitchell Leff | Getty Images