Eagles' Top Hypothetical Trades to Make a Splash in 2023 NFL Draft

The Philadelphia Eagles shook up the 2022 NFL draft when they dealt a first-rounder and the 101st overall pick for A.J. Brown.

Trades with the Saints for C.J. Gardner-Johnson and a pick swap that gave them an extra first-rounder in this draft were all trades that ended up being high-impact moves. It's hard to see them winning the NFC Championship without Gardner-Johnson or Brown.

The Eagles are once again a fascinating team in the 2023 draft. They clearly should be in win-now mode after their playoff run this season, but they still have two first-round picks (Nos. 10 and 30) and four in the top 100.

That—and $11.6 million in cap space—gives them a decent amount of flexibility if general manager Howie Roseman feels in the mood to wheel and deal again.

Here are three hypotheticals that would make a big splash around draft time.

Trade Up for Jalen Carter

AP Photo/Colin E. Braley

Georgia defensive lineman Jalen Carter before an NCAA football game on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022 in Columbia, Mo.(AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)

Lions Receive: No. 10 overall, 2024 second-round pick

Eagles Receive: No. 6 overall (DT Jalen Carter), No. 152 overall (fifth round)

The Philadelphia Eagles are in the rare position of being one of the best teams in the league and owning a top-10 pick in the draft. While it's a nice opportunity to grab a good player, they could wind up snagging one of the elite talents in the draft if the board falls right and they are willing to get aggressive.

If the draft were based on talent alone, Jalen Carter would have a good case to be the No. 1 pick. However, Carter's stock may have fallen because of off-field concerns. He reached a plea deal regarding misdemeanor charges of racing and reckless driving in connection with a crash that killed Georgia teammate Devin Willock and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy, receiving 12 months probation, a fine, community service and an order to participate in a defensive driving course.

He also didn't fare too well in his pro day. He weighed in nine pounds more than what he weighed at the combine and struggled to complete the position drills.

But the talent is undeniable. His comparison from B/R scout Matt Holder is Warren Sapp.

The Eagles lost Javon Hargrave in free agency. Fletcher Cox signed a one-year deal, but he's 32 years old. Moving up to draft Carter is aggressive, but it could give them a dominant duo on the inside after drafting Carter's teammate Jordan Davis last year.

Trade Up for Bijan Robinson

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MANHATTAN, KS - NOVEMBER 05: Running back Bijan Robinson #5 of the Texas Longhorns runs up filed with the ball against the Kansas State Wildcats during the second half at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium on November 05, 2022 in Manhattan, Kansas. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images)

Lions Receive: No. 30 overall, No. 94 overall (third round), 2024 fourth-round pick

Eagles Receive: No. 18 overall (RB Bijan Robinson)

Bijan Robinson to the Eagles is a common connection in mock drafts. According to NFL Mock Draft Database, it's the most common fit for the Texas running back who is No. 4 on B/R's big board.

It makes a lot of sense. The Eagles just lost Miles Sanders in free agency, and the offense is pretty much set at nearly every other spot. Robinson has the potential to be a transcendent back who can take the offense to the next level.

The problem is that No. 10 might be a little early to take a running back, and he's likely to be gone by the time the Eagles get back on the clock at No. 30.

This is another hypothetical in which the Eagles will have to pick up the phones and talk to the Detroit Lions. This trade is based on the price the Chiefs paid the Patriots in last year's draft to move from No. 29 to No. 21 to take Trent McDuffie. They gave up a third and fourth to secure the cornerback.

Ultimately, the Eagles don't have enough draft capital in 2023 to make the deal work, but the war chest is full in 2024. They could have two seconds, two thirds and five fifth-round picks.

The Lions might be in a position where they are looking to move up and take a quarterback to replace Jared Goff.

This deal gives the Eagles their offensive weapon and the Lions additional capital to make deals in 2024.

Trade for Kevin Byard

Cooper Neill/Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MO - NOVEMBER 06: Kevin Byard #31 of the Tennessee Titans plays the field against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on November 6, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Titans Receive: 2024 fourth-round pick, 2024 fifth-round pick

Eagles Receive: S Kevin Byard

Last year, the Eagles addressed their questionable safety group by trading for C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who had become disgruntled with his contract with the New Orleans Saints.

Howie Roseman swooped in and took Gardner-Johnson off of the Saints' hands for a fifth- and sixth-round pick. Ultimately, Gardner-Johnson and the Eagles couldn't come to terms on a new deal, but the impact he had in one year was still worth what they gave up for him.

Now, the Eagles are looking at going into the season with Terrell Edmunds and Reed Blankenship as the starting safeties.

However, Roseman could once again target a potential contract situation brewing in Tennessee and snag another good veteran starter.

The Titans reportedly asked Byard to take a pay cut this offseason. Byard has declined and is reportedly fine with staying in Tennessee.

But situations change and aren't always as they seem publicly. It's worth checking in with the Titans and seeing what the price of taking on Byard would be.

The safety has earned two All-Pro nods and is still playing at a high level. He is an expensive option, with his cap hits over the next seasons set to be $19.6 million and $17.8 million.

The draft cost would need to be low because the club would have to do some cap gymnastics to make his contract work. But we've seen veterans traded for a lot less than you'd think before.