7 Philadelphia Eagles Players Who Could Be Traded on Draft Day Weekend

Part of Chip Kelly’s boldness as a head coach comes from his willingness to make player-for-player trades in a sport where trades really don’t happen that often.

The LeSean McCoy-for-Kiko Alonso trade was stunning, reminiscent of the Champ Bailey-for-Clinton Portis trade from 2004. And the Nick Foles-for-Sam Bradford trade was equally shocking, especially factoring in that the Philadelphia Eagles gave up a second-round draft pick to acquire a quarterback who can’t stay healthy.

Kelly likely isn’t done trading yet. A handful of Eagles players are on the trade block, and several more could conceivably be traded. In all seriousness, any player who was on the roster before Kelly took over in 2013 may be in jeopardy.

The following seven players could easily find themselves on new teams within a few days.

Sam Bradford

Matt Slocum/Associated Press

Kelly’s initial swap of Nick Foles for Sam Bradford was made more unusual by the fact that the Eagles also gave up a second-round pick for Bradford. Remarkably, the team with the always-injured quarterback actually got a high draft pick plus a Pro Bowl quarterback.

So that means Kelly has a grand plan to send Bradford somewhere to get Marcus Mariota, right? Reportedly, there has been talk of a Bradford-for Johnny Manziel trade. There has been talk of Bradford being shopped to the Tennessee Titans in a deal for the No. 2 overall pick. And maybe the Cleveland Browns are still interested in Bradford.

"

Browns had already been offering up one of their 2 first rounders for Sam Bradford - 1st to STL and then to Philly. They want a new QB

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) April 29, 2015"

Once draft day is over, if Bradford is still an Eagle, it’s safe to assume he’s going to be the team’s 2015 quarterback. Until then, maybe there’s a reason Philly stores aren’t selling Bradford jerseys yet.

"

Me to store owner: "Do you have any Sam Bradford jerseys." Owner: "No, I don't think anybody has them." pic.twitter.com/xRNzxOSs6T

— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) April 28, 2015"

Mychal Kendricks

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

It’s becoming quite obvious that Kelly wants to trade Mychal Kendricks. Why?

Perhaps it’s because Kendricks was on the team before Kelly got there. Perhaps it’s because Kendricks is short (5’11”). Perhaps it’s because Kelly wants to package Kendricks in a deal for Marcus Mariota.

Regardless, CBS NFL Insider Jason La Canfora reports Kelly hasn’t been successful so far in his trade attempts.

"

Eagles are shopping LB Mychal Kendricks. Seeking a 2nd round pick in return. Teams are balking at that price but something could happen

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) April 29, 2015"

Still, it’s not draft day yet. If a team misses out on Benardrick McKinney or Denzel Perryman or Eric Kendricks or Paul Dawson, that team may want Mychal Kendricks for a second-rounder.

Brandon Boykin

Matt Rourke/Associated Press

Brandon Boykin is a classic example of a fine player who doesn't fit Kelly's preference and therefore will likely be traded.

Since being drafted in the fourth round in 2012, Boykin has thrived as a nickel corner, recording six interceptions in 2013 and holding opponents without a touchdown catch last year, per Pro Football Focus. But he's just 5'9", and Kelly's affinity for tall, long corners is well known.

Kelly signed Seattle's Byron Maxwell to a $63 million contract, and he's been heavily linked to Connecticut's Byron Jones, a likely first-round pick who possesses elite physical tools. Expect Kelly to move Boykin on draft day.

Evan Mathis

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For some inexplicable reason, it's been heavily rumored that the Eagles are looking to move Evan Mathis, their All-Pro left guard. Mathis is 33 years old and the oldest starting guard in the NFL, but he's still playing at an extremely high level.

Despite missing nearly half the 2014 season with an MCL injury, Mathis still graded out as the second-best guard in the league, per Pro Football Focus. He was also their top-rated guard in each of the previous three seasons, per PFF.

That makes it surprising that the Eagles would want to trade him, and if Kelly really releases Mathis outright, it would be a travesty. Linemen of Mathis' talent and natural athleticism don't come around very often.

What's more likely is that Kelly finds a suitable trade partner and swaps Mathis for a mid-round draft pick.

Fletcher Cox

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Trading away Fletcher Cox would really hurt the Eagles defense, as he became an unblockable force in 2014. But rest assured that Chip Kelly would likely only move Cox in a last-resort effort to get Mariota.

It's been speculated that Cox was already to be packaged in a failed trade attempt with the Tennessee Titans. Cox has the ability to play both 4-3 defensive tackle and 3-4 defensive end, and he's still under team control for two more seasons, now that the Eagles officially picked up his 2016 option.

If Cox did get traded, it would promote 2012 second-rounder Vinny Curry into a full-time role opposite Cedric Thornton. It's likely Curry could hold his own as a starter, although he's certainly not Cox. The Eagles will also eventually have to pay Cox anywhere from $8-10 million per season in a long-term extension. So while losing his talent would hurt, it would free up significant space.

Vinny Curry

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Vinny Curry was a classic Andy Reid pick in the sense that he's an undersized pass-rusher with a high motor. After playing very sparingly his first two seasons, Curry broke out with nine sacks and four forced fumbles in 2014, doing so in a part-time role. He still has a year left on his rookie deal, and he's scheduled to earn just a little over $1 million in '15, per Spotrac.

Curry is better suited to be a traditional 4-3 defensive end than the 5-technique role he's mostly been playing for the Eagles. Don't rule out Kelly packaging Curry in a deal if he tries to move up for Mariota.

Matt Barkley

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Matt Barkley won't be packaged in any potential draft-day trade involving Mariota. But there's a chance Kelly could send the former USC quarterback elsewhere for a low draft pick.

After all, the Eagles have a crowded quarterback depth chart. Sam Bradford, Mark Sanchez, Tim Tebow and G.J. Kinne are currently in the mix. Kinne is likely a long shot, and Tebow is no guarantee to make the roster.

But there also just hasn't been enough from Barkley to warrant the Eagles keeping him. If Kelly can't find a willing trade partner, he may outright release Barkley in training camp.