Tony Gonzalez Traded to the Atlanta Falcons: How Are Eagles Affected?

[Originally Posted At 2 Minutes to Midnight Green]

ESPN's Michael Smith is reporting that the Kansas City Chiefs have traded tight end Tony Gonzalez to the Atlanta Falcons for a second-round pick in 2010.

A report had come out just a couple of days ago that the Philadelphia Eagles had been in the running for the tight end's services, but that they were not willing to go any further than a third-round pick in this year's draft.

Thomas Dimitroff had been debating on whether or not to give up a second-round pick for the 33-year-old tight end or to stay put with the 24th pick in the draft and hope that Brandon Pettigrew fell to them.

Evidently, he wasn't holding out much hope that Pettigrew would be there at 24.

Ripple Effect: The Philadelphia Eagles

This now puts the Eagles in a tough spot. With the 21st pick in this year's draft, who do they select?

Word is out that they're looking very heavily at Georgia running back Knowshon Moreno, and that they may even trade up to get him or trade down if he is not available.

However, in light of their failed attempt to trade for Gonzalez, would they now consider taking Pettigrew either way?

I have to think that if Moreno falls to 21, they will pick him regardless if Pettigrew is on the board or not. However, if Moreno is not there at 21, I don't believe they'll trade down and take a back in the second.

Instead, I see them snagging Pettigrew at 21, and then possibly trading up within the second round in order to draft UConn's Donald Brown, a player they also really like because of his ability to catch out of the backfield.

Either way, I believe the Eagles have set their sights in this order:

1) Knowshon Moreno
2) Brandon Pettigrew
3) Donald Brown (in the second round)

It's stories like this that just make draft weekend that much more exciting.