Building a Trade Deadline Wish List for the Philadelphia Eagles

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The NFL trade deadline tends to quietly come and go, but every once in a while, there are big trades made that set the course for the remainder of the season.

The Philadelphia Eagles come off a bye week with a 3-3 record and a new defensive coordinator after the firing of Juan Castillo. The message was made clear—average is not acceptable.

However, what if average is all that this team is?  

It's possible, after all, that the team isn't necessarily underperforming once again after going 8-8 last year. Maybe this is just a .500 team.  

If the Eagles front office believes that what they currently have is a .500 team, then we could be seeing some trades made before the trade deadline.

Here is a wish list for the Eagles.

Offensive Tackle

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The Eagles have had inconsistent play at the left tackle position from Demetress Bell and King Dunlap, so this may be a position that Philadelphia looks to upgrade at the trade deadline.

When looking at possible trade targets, players who are eligible for free agency after the season are a good group to start with.

Of that group, the Cincinnati Bengals' Andre Smith would be a great fit in Philadelphia. Smith is 6'3", 340 pounds and would be able to provide some stability at left tackle.

Other possible targets for the Eagles include Will Svitek of the Atlanta Falcons and Jermon Bushrod of the New Orleans Saints.

Center

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The offensive line concerns for Philadelphia don't stop at left tackle. 

Center Jason Kelce is out for the remainder of the season, and backup Dallas Reynolds has since filled in. Reynolds and Michael Vick have had multiple communication problems since the 6'4" 320-pound center took over.

The Jacksonville Jaguars could be a possible trade partner for the Eagles in a deal that would bring Brad Meester to Philadelphia. Meester is a 35-year-old veteran who would bring some experience to the Eagles offensive line.

Defensive End

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The Eagles were supposed to have one of the best defensive lines in the NFL. Instead, the defense has failed to record a sack in each of their last two games.

Trent Cole and Jason Babin are the established starters, but it wouldn't hurt to get another pass-rushing threat to cycle in. Darryl Tapp, Phillip Hunt, Brandon Graham and Vinny Curry aren't quite good enough at this point.

Cincinnati has two potential trade targets for the Eagles in Robert Geathers and Michael Johnson, with Johnson being the more desirable of the two.

Johnson is a 25-year-old freak of a human being. Measuring at 6'7" and 270 pounds, Johnson has sacked opposing quarterbacks six times this season and would be a great addition to the Eagles defense.

 

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