Eagles positioning themselves to shock the world during the 2024 NFL Draft?

It wouldn’t be NFL draft week without conflicting reports and rumors, especially regarding the Philadelphia Eagles.

The steam behind Howie Roseman’s attempt to trade up from pick number 22 in the first round has heated up this week, which isn’t hard to believe given the Eagles‘ draft history.

Eagles trading up?

“People I've talked to believe the Eagles want to try to move up for a receiver, though one theory I found very interesting and potentially hilarious is that they could move up for tight end Brock Bowers, given their recent predilection for Georgia players.”

— @DanGrazianoESPN pic.twitter.com/5CJ1aeOiRs

— Word On The Birds (@WordOnTheBirds) April 24, 2024

It is hard to believe the Eagles would trade up for a wide receiver. And even as farfetched as it seems, they’d move up for a tight end; I don’t think I’d rule it out completely. Dallas Goedert is now older than Zach Ertz was when they drafted his successor. The mindset is that Brock Bowers will be off the board before the Birds select at No. 22. 

I wouldn’t hate the Eagles moving up and selecting Bowers, mostly because I’ve always preferred the “best player available” approach. But, given the team’s needs and the talent that would be available for them to take in a trade-up scenario, it isn’t a great use of resources. Before you consider drafting a tight end, they could use a versatile offensive lineman/tackle, cornerback, edge rusher, or even linebacker. 

But Howie is always thinking way ahead of everyone else, and if they were to pull off a move like this, I wouldn’t be surprised if there were a lot of negative outbursts. Then you fast-forward several years, and Bowers is the best tight end in the NFL on the Eagles roster, still on his rookie deal. 

Could all this be a smokescreen? That could certainly be the case. Just hours before this rumor surfaced, the Eagles seemed linked to several defensive backs. Regardless, it is time to buckle up because Howie Roseman is gearing up to make some moves most likely.