Eagles Projected to Trade First-Round Pick, Allow NFC Rival to Land Future Quarterback
The Philadelphia Eagles are not in the market for a new quarterback, especially after winning Super Bowl LIX with Jalen Hurts, their former second-round pick. However, they may inadvertently pave the way for an NFC rival to secure their next franchise signal-caller.
According to Lance Zierlein’s latest mock draft, the Eagles are projected to trade out of the first round, sending their pick to the New Orleans Saints. In this scenario, the Saints would use the selection to draft Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart as their future successor to Derek Carr.
Zierlein highlights that with the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns holding early second-round picks at 34 and 37, the Saints could move quickly to ensure they land Dart before another team does.
Will the Eagles Trade Their First-Round Pick?
There are strong arguments both for and against Philadelphia trading down from their first-round selection. Many draft experts believe that outside of the top handful of picks, the talent level flattens significantly, making a move down more appealing.
ESPN’s Matt Miller previously reported that an anonymous general manager viewed this year’s draft class as top-heavy, stating:
“There are four, maybe five, blue-chip players. After that, it’s 40 guys with a late-first-round or second-round grade.”
Despite this, the Eagles don’t necessarily need to trade their first-rounder, as they hold all their original picks through the first five rounds and have acquired three extra fifth-round selections from past trades with the Browns, Texans, and Commanders.
Who Could the Eagles Target in the First Round?
Although the Eagles could technically bolster their quarterback depth—currently consisting of Hurts, Tanner McKee, and Dorian Thompson-Robinson—they are more likely to address other roster needs.
Safety could be an option if Malaki Starks or Nick Emanwori is available late in the first round or early in the second. However, general manager Howie Roseman historically prioritizes premium positions, such as edge rushers, defensive linemen, wide receivers, and cornerbacks, in the early rounds.
Given that the Eagles lost Milton Williams and Josh Sweat in free agency, a defensive lineman like Walter Nolen or an edge rusher like Donovan Ezeiruaku could be prime targets. Alternatively, they could address the offensive line, particularly at right guard, to replace the departed Mekhi Becton. If interior lineman Donovan Jackson is available at pick No. 32, Roseman may find it difficult to pass him up.
Ultimately, trading down a few spots could be the most strategic move for a team that holds the final selection in each round of this year’s draft. However, the final decision will come down to how the draft board falls on draft night.
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