The Eagles should explore this trade before 53-man roster is finalized

Ryan OLeary

The Eagles should explore this trade before 53-man roster is finalized image

NFL roster cut-down day is upon us. That means current players from all 32 teams will be shaking loose as free agents, potential waiver claims or trade candidates.

While dreams will end for hundreds of prospective NFL players, general managers are always exploring trades that could turn a veteran on the roster bubble into draft compensation. A great example is what the Tennessee Titans did with quarterback Malik Willis on Monday — trading the former college star to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for a 2025 seventh-round pick.

The Philadelphia Eagles could be fielding calls from teams for a player like James Bradberry, a former All-Pro cornerback who’s been managing a shift to safety this summer. Could a team like the Arizona Cardinals, perhaps, be willing to take on Bradberry’s contract in exchange for a late Day 3 pick? 

Alex Kay of Bleacher Report explored that very option for Arizona, while eyeing a veteran defensive back for GM Howie Roseman and the Eagles to target themselves.

Kay sees eight-year NFL veteran Desmond King II, currently of the Houston Texans, as a potential trade target for the Eagles. The cost? A 2025 seventh-round pick. 

Here was Kay’s reasoning: 

While the Eagles won't want to give up much to bolster the secondary, trading a Day 3 pick to bring in Desmond King II could benefit the club more than the lost draft selection. King is coming off a decent second stint with the Houston Texans, appearing in seven games while recording 47 tackles, two pass defenses and a sack. He can also assist on kick and punt returns, giving some extra value to this move. The 29-year-old could be expendable after the Texans drafted Kamari Lassiter in the second round.

The Eagles have been preparing for the future at the cornerback spot, drafting Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean in the first two rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft. Adding a veteran like King to the mix would take some pressure off the rookies, especially Mitchell, who the team has been preparing as the starter at nickel.

MORE EAGLES NEWS:

Eagles Darius Slay reacts to NFC East rival’s new $136M wide receiver

Eagles rising star gets surprise spot among ESPN's top 100 NFL players

Veteran O-lineman among Eagles’ first roster cuts

Saquon Barkley welcomes fellow Penn State alum Jahan Dotson to Eagles

Eagles have found a gem in late-round 2024 NFL Draft pick

Ryan OLeary

Ryan OLeary Photo

Ryan O'Leary has spent his entire professional career in sports multimedia, working as journalist, editor, podcaster, and in live events as a content manager and show emcee. His career highlights include working as a podcast host and audio editor for USA TODAY Sports Media Group, where he led a series of NFL podcasts for the company’s top-performing NFL sites. A born and raised New Englander, Ryan’s career kicked-off in newspapers after graduating from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in journalism. He developed an affinity for small-town youth, high school and college sports, while also realizing his childhood dream of covering the Patriots in multiple AFC Championship Games. Ryan enjoys kicking it with family and friends, beating his dad and brother in chess, and arguing with anyone crazy enough to insist that Tom Brady isn’t the GOAT.