The Philadelphia Eagles have cemented themselves as one of the elite teams in the NFL. Any hangover from advancing to the Super Bowl and falling just short doesn’t exist with this team as it has been business as usual through five games.
The Eagles are 5-0, one of two undefeated teams remaining along with the San Francisco 49ers. A rematch of the NFC Championship Game from January is on deck in Week 13 and it wouldn’t surprise anyone if the two teams face off again in this season’s playoffs.
While there aren’t many holes to speak of on Philadelphia’s roster, looking to make upgrades ahead of the deadline would be a good idea. If there is one area they could use some reinforcements, it is on the backend of their defense.
The Eagles lost starting safeties C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Marcus Epps in free agency to the Detroit Lions and Las Vegas Raiders. Justin Evans and Terrell Edmunds were signed to replace them along with second-year safety Reed Blankenship. But, their depth is thin because of injuries to Avonte Maddox and Zech McPhearson.
That is why Joe Tansey of Bleacher Report has named Jeremy Chinn of the Carolina Panthers as a potential trade target for the Eagles. There is a chance Carolina sells off veteran pieces from their roster and Chinn could be one of the players on the move.
“The Eagles could ship away a Day 3 NFL draft pick to Carolina, who may need all the 2024 selections it can get to improve its roster around Bryce Young without a first-round pick,” wrote Tansey.
Another losing team that the Eagles should be keeping an eye on is the Denver Broncos. They are 1-4 entering Thursday Night Football against the Kansas City Chiefs, who they face again in their final game ahead of the trade deadline.
It is fair to assume they will have at least six losses when the October 31st deadline rolls around and they have already begun purging their roster of veterans. One that would help the Eagles is Kareem Jackson.
Jackson would provide an immediate upgrade to Philadelphia’s secondary and on an expiring contract, shouldn’t cost a ton. He would fill a need as an on-ball safety that the team is lacking.
“A year ago, the Eagles went after Robert Quinn and Ndamukong Suh to bolster a defensive line weakness. They should do the same to fix what is perceived as their biggest positional weakness through five weeks,” Tansey wrote.
Last but not least, another Panthers player was mentioned as a trade target; pass rusher Brian Burns. You can never have too many pass rushers and Burns could be the best player available in the NFL ahead of the deadline if Carolina decides they don’t want to work out a long-term deal.
“A trade for Burns would be the ultimate rich get richer move, and it may be one that catapults the Eagles defense from great to elite,” per Tansey.
On the season, Burns has 4.0 sacks, six tackles for loss and eight quarterback hits. While another pass rusher isn’t their most pressing need, the Eagles would prefer to have him on their side than have to figure out how to block him playing for a rival team.
