When It Comes To Eagles Trade Deadline Plans, Think Small

The NFL trade deadline is fast approaching. Teams have until 4 pm on Tuesday, November 5th, to make a trade. Many teams have already made splashes, with multiple big-name WRs changing teams, among other moves. But so far the Eagles have been quiet. We know Howie Roseman likes to stay busy, and likely has some plan. But what move will he make?

Fans have dreamed of some big splash to acquire an Edge Rusher like Myles Garrett or Maxx Crosby. Those moves would be game-changers, giving the Eagles the elite Pass Rusher they have missed since trading away Hasson Reddick, but those dreams are probably not likely.

The Fanatic has had multiple guests on the air this week talking about the deadline. The message from all of them has led to a similar conclusion. When it comes to what the Eagles will do at this Trade Deadline, think small.

On Tuesday, EJ Smith joined The Best Show Ever. One of the things he talked to Tyrone and Ricky about was the poor track of Eagles' deadline moves. Robert Quinn, Kevin Byard. Go back in time we can talk about Golden Tate.

Vic Fangio talked about it too. Integrating players mid-season is difficult. The Eagles have had several weeks and they still haven't been able to integrate Jahan Dotson. Integrating players in the NFL is harder than in other leagues. Fangio said it is a bit easier in other places, but a lot of the time teams end up a bit disappointed by what they got.

Which is why EJ Smith thinks the Eagles should take a different approach this season.

"Don't go for an aging veteran who's on an expiring contract that you're basically just renting for a playoff push. You Fangio talked earlier today about how if you are going to trade for somebody at the deadline, it sometimes makes more sense to trade for somebody who's got a couple of years on their contract that you can see being a part of the defense for more than just these 7 or 8 games or whatever it might be for the Eagles.

Baron Browning is somebody who stands out to me because he's an Edge Rusher for the Broncos who played for Vic Fangio. I know that the big-name guys like Myles Garrett and Max Crosby, your eyes would go up big if you if you could get those guys. But I don't know if either of them are really going to get traded. And if they do, it's going to be a really big price."

Baron Browning might not be a name many fans recognize unless you watch the Broncos. He is a rotational Edge Rusher who has 9.5 sacks over his last 28 games. That might not be the move that gets fans excited, but maybe it is the type of move fans should expect.

Wednesday morning, Kincade and Salciunas had their usual conversation with NFL Insider Adam Schefter, who reflected a similar sentiment.

"I'm not expecting your usual big Eagle moves before the trade deadline. I don't see the Eagles making a big move. Could I see them getting some kind of role-player? Yeah, for the right price, definitely. I could see something like that happening. But, you know, if you're waiting for Myles Garrett or Maxx Crosby, it ain't happening."

We have also had Jeff McLane, Tim McManus, Andrew DiCecco, and Dave Zangaro, among other names on the station in the past week. Everyone says the same thing. Don't expect a big splash. Think small. Role players, rotational players, guys who can help on the margins of the roster. Edge Rusher comes up the most. So that is what you should look for. A guy who can take a dozen or so snaps per game, and maybe get you a few sacks.

Related: Edge Rusher Would Make Sense For Eagles At Trade Deadline

Making that big splash is a nice dream. But in this case, it is a pipe dream. There will be no Myles Garrett in an Eagles jersey. Whoever they do go out and acquire, likely is not going to be the type of player you buy a jersey for. But they could be someone who will be a contributor here for multiple years. That might be the better way to approach the deadline anyway, given how those splash moves have failed in the past.

The Eagles came into the game on a 2-game winning streak. Their last game was their best game in the past 2 years, crushing the Giants 28-3. But beating the Browns and Giants left some people unimpressed. Those are two bad teams. They may have good defenses, but their offenses are two of the worst in the league.

Maybe beating the Bengals will change that tune. Yes, their record is not very good, but they took the Ravens to OT, and kept things close with the Commanders and Chiefs. They came into week 8 having won 3 of their last 4 games.

Related: Eagles Make A Strong Statement In Win Over The Bengals

You can't discount this win the same way people did the last two. The Eagles were betting underdogs. It was in hostile territory against a team desperate for a win. Joe Burrow and the Bengals offense tore apart the Ravens and Commander's defense earlier this year. This was not an easy game, and this was an impressive win.

But how impressive? What should we take away from them putting up 37 points while holding the Bengals to just 17? Is this team ready to really compete, or are there still things to be concerned about? Is this defense legit? Is the offense finally living up to the hype?

With a day to think about it, let's go over the game again. Fans have good reason to feel good about this team now. They are 5-2, with wins over the Packers and Bengals. Their only losses came with several key players missing. Now that they are healthy, they might be a team to watch.

Eagles fans have been through it, and have good reason to be skeptical. But here is why you should feel confident in the Eagles going forward.

A lot was made of the Eagles' slow start. But most of that worry came from the 3 games AJ Brown missed. They averaged 17.2 points per game in the 3 games Brown missed. In 1 of those games, they were also missing Devonta Smith and Lane Johnson. But remember, in game 1 they scored 34 on the Packers. Now they have scored 20, 28, and 37 in the 3 games since he returned.

In games where AJ Brown plays, they average 29.75 points per game. Remember, that is with them pulling started in each of the last two games. The starters didn't see the field in the 4th quarter against the Giants. Will Shipley was getting carries late vs the Bengals.  They took their foot off the gas and still put up crooked numbers. When AJ Brown plays, this offense is elite.

The defense did not get off to a good start. Joe Burrow picked them apart with way too much ease early in the game. It is not how you start though, it is how you finish. The thing that separates Vic Fangio from past coordinators here who ran the same scheme, is adjustments. He is capable of adjusting in-game. We saw that on display Sunday. Joe Burrow had their number early, with 175 yards in the first half. Fangio adjusted and shut the Bengals down. Just 7 points in the 2nd half.

But it got even better in the 4th quarter. It might have been a 20-point win, but things were tight to open up the final quarter. It was 24-17 Eagles. They kicked a FG to open the quarter to make it 27-17. It was only a 2-score game, with a lot of time left. The Bengals could have easily come back. Instead, the Eagles gave up just 29 yards across 3 drives in the 4th quarter. They also got 2 takeaways and got a turnover on downs.

That is as encouraging of a sign as there can be. Seeing this defense struggle early, adjust, and then shut down a talented offense was so impressive.

A lot was made about Fred Johnson vs Trey Hendrickson this week. After he struggled a bit against Brian Burns in pass protection the week before, there was concern about how he would hold up against another elite pass rusher. Turns out there was no reason to worry because Johnson was fantastic as a pass blocker.

In 22 pass block snaps, he gave up just 1 pressure. A pressure rate of just 4.5% against him. 13 of those snaps came against Trey Hendrickson. That is one of the better pass rushers in the league, and Johnson shut him down. Fred Johnson has been great as a run blocker ever since get got here, but to see him be that good against the pass is an encouraging sign. Not just for the meantime while they await for Jordan Mailata to return, but going forward for any case where they might need a backup.

Few players protected the ball worse than Jalen hurts going into the bye week. But no player has protected the ball better than him since. In the last 3 games, Hurts has 0 turnovers. Not only that, but he has 0 turnover-worthy plays.

But it is not like they are no longer taking risks. he has a TD pass of at least 40 yards in all 3 games. They are taking shots. Hurts is 12th in the league in Average Air yards intended.  This is not them only letting him make easy throws because they don't trust him. He is still making great throws every game. Both deep down the field, and in the intermediate area of the field. He was 6 for 7 with a  TD on passes of over 10 yards.

That throw to Devonta Smith was elite. it was tight coverage, and deep down the field. He still delivered the perfect pass, where Smith made a great play. Don't look now, but 2022 Hurts might be back.

I fully admit to losing faith in Nolan Smith. After he couldn't get on the field last year, and struggled early this year, I had major doubts about him. But it was another fantastic game by him. But in the past 3 weeks, he has made me look foolish for doubting him.

Smith now has 3 sacks in his last 3 games. He had just 1 last season. But more than the sacks, he is consistently winning his matchups. His Pass Rush Win rate on Sunday was 35.7%. For the context of how good that number is, Aidan Hutchinson has the best pass-run win rate among Edge Rushers this season with 35%. Smith was very good on Sunday.

As a group, the sack numbers fell. It was hard to see them continuing to get that many sacks every week as they did vs the Browns and Giants. But they did still get pressure. Bryce Huff fell off again, but Nolan Smith has 3 straight good weeks now. Maybe he has figured something out.

The Eagles have 10 games left, and those team teams are a combined 36-39 (.480). That is the 18th easiest schedule left in the league. But honestly, it might be easier than even that. Because there are only 4 games left vs an opponent with a winning record, the Ravens, Steelers, and the Commanders twice. The other 6 teams are 14-30 (.318).

This is a very manageable schedule for the Eagles. Jaguars, Rams, Giants, Panthers, and the Cowboys twice. Even if they split the 4 tough games, there is still a path to 13-4 or 12-5. They have recently beaten up on bad teams, and there are a lot of bad teams left.

If you go by ESPN FPI, they have the easiest schedule the rest of the way, and they have been the 4th best team so far.