3 EAGLES ON THE TRADE BLOCK HEADING INTO TRAINING CAMP
The Philadelphia Eagles went from the No. 1 team in the entire NFL to the No. 2 team in the NFC East last year. They then went one-and-done in the postseason. Their free fall was frustrating and led to some changes in the offseason.
Offensive coordinator Brian Johnson and defensive coordinator Sean Desai were each fired as Kellen Moore and Vic Fangio took over. Their moves didn't stop there as they were active in free agency and moved up in the 2024 NFL Draft.
All their additions have a few veterans sitting on the roster bubble. For that reason, these three could be on the trading block heading into training camp.
3. Parris Campbell, Wide Receiver
After a standout career at Ohio State, Parris Campbell has yet to put it all together as an NFL wideout. He spent four years with the Indianapolis Colts but missed much of his first three seasons in the league.
Finally healthy in 2022, Campbell had 63 receptions for 623 yards and three touchdowns for the Colts. This led to him signing a free agency deal with the New York Giants but he took a step in the wrong direction with them. Campbell played in 12 games and had 20 receptions for 104 yards with no touchdowns. His average of 5.2 yards per reception was a career-low and didn't help his stock in free agency this year.
He got a shot with the Eagles, who needed help at wideout but with camp around the corner, he no longer feels like a lock to make the team.
Philadelphia added Ainias Smith and Johnny Wilson on Day 3 of the draft. Both can play in the slot with Smith potentially possessing the skill to challenge Campbell as a rookie. If the veteran can't beat him out, the Eagles would surely love to listen to any offers.
2. Kenneth Gainwell, Running Back
Adding Saquon Barkley not only hurt a divisional rival but it could completely revamp the Eagles' ground game. Barkley, the second overall pick in 2018, hasn't been wildly consistent in his career but injuries and playing for the New York Giants have been two factors working against him.
He now has a chance to shine with Philly as he replaces D'Andre Swift — who had his best season as a pro with the Eagles in 2023.
Currently behind Barkley as the No. 2 back is Kenneth Gainwell. A fifth-round pick from Memphis in 2021, Gainwell has been a solid backup throughout his career. In three years, he has 895 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground. As a pass-catcher, he has 86 receptions for 605 yards and another touchdown.
Just looking at what he's produced, there's no reason for the Eagles to even consider trading Gainwell. However, the young back is entering the final year of his rookie deal and suddenly has competition behind him.
Fourth-round pick Will Shipley has been making waves during the offseason programs. The Clemson product has been doing well as a runner but stood out when it came to catching the ball, Shipley even got some work in the slot and held his own.
Perhaps the Eagles will be willing to lean on Shipley during his rookie season and see what they could get for Gainwell. That might be a better option than letting him walk in 2025 and getting nothing in return.
1. James Bradberry, Cornerback
The writing was on the wall for James Bradberry even before the Eagles made their intentions clear in the draft.
Bradberry struggled mightily in 2023 with Pro Football Reference attributing 740 yards passing and 11 touchdowns to the receivers he covered. His struggles were on full display during a loss on Monday Night Football to the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle's backup quarterback Drew Lock targeted Bradberry on every pass during the final drive, which ended with rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba scoring a game-winning touchdown against Bradberry.
Philadelphia had already started to utilize Kelee Ringo more and now Bradberry finds himself buried on the depth chart. The Eagles used their first pick on Toledo's Quinyon Mitchell and traded up in the second round to add Cooper DeJean from Iowa.
Mitchell will be the starter across from Darius Slay unless he comes in and just looks lost. That doesn't appear to be the case since Mitchell has the makings of a stud defensive back. DeJean should also be a major weapon and will compete with Avonte Maddox for the nickel corner spot.
Throw in Ringo and there are suddenly far too many options the Eagles can comfortably put on the field for Bradberry to see much time.
That doesn't mean someone wouldn't be willing to roll the dice. Philadelphia's defense as a whole was a problem in 2023, which is why Sean Desai was let go. Bradberry has also played well throughout much of his career. If the Eagles are willing to eat some of his salary, they might be able to get a draft pick in exchange for the veteran.
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This article was originally published on section215.com as 3 Eagles on the Trade Block Heading Into Training Camp.
2024-07-05T14:46:04Z dg43tfdfdgfd