57 minutes ago, just relax said:

By my count we have 13 draft picks next year and all our picks for 2027 and 2028. With such a young team I expect us to bundle picks to move up for specific players, what you term big impact players on rookie deals. We're certainly not going to draft 13 guys next year; I expect 6-8. The rest of the picks will be used to move up or to get better draft positions in 2027 and 2028. Mailata is just 28; he'll be around for more than a few years. I like Hinton of our current batch of rookies. I think he'll be a nice piece in a year or two. Definitely TE will be a target and, yes, edge players. Two years away is an eternity in the NFL and we have 27 draft picks to meet our needs. That's a lot.

Mailata is still 'young' by OT standards, but... I recall the issues that he had early in his career with back issues. Now, maybe those back issues early in his career were much more ado about nothing than real issues in his spine, but big people and back issues are a bad mix. Bad backs never really get better, they just get less troublesome.

You are right in terms of the number of picks and not needing to draft 13 players. But, at the same time, I expect that rather than trading them to move up exclusively, I think Howie will look to push some of them into the future more than in years past... because 2029 or 2030 seem to be where the piper's paycheck comes due.

I'll add that a lot of folks going into this past year with 8 picks said that there was no way that Howie would use all of them... and then draft weekend came and when the dust settled, Howie made 10 selections and even rolled an extra pick into 2026 (5th round).

52 minutes ago, NCiggles said:

Gone are the days of real journalists like Cataldi.

Gold standard my a**.

He's taking the Todd Pinkston approach to WR.

He can't afford the gold. These rings are likely gold plated.

To take your mind off the Phillies doing Phillies things. I give you Canadians playing golf and picking a fight with a former NHLer. I've watched this entirely too many times laughing at the guy commentating while beating that guy down.

48 minutes ago, bpac55 said:

To take your mind off the Phillies doing Phillies things. I give you Canadians playing golf and picking a fight with a former NHLer. I've watched this entirely too many times laughing at the guy commentating while beating that guy down.

Golf is a gentleman's game.

1 hour ago, just relax said:

By my count we have 13 draft picks next year and all our picks for 2027 and 2028. With such a young team I expect us to bundle picks to move up for specific players, what you term big impact players on rookie deals. We're certainly not going to draft 13 guys next year; I expect 6-8. The rest of the picks will be used to move up or to get better draft positions in 2027 and 2028. Mailata is just 28; he'll be around for more than a few years. I like Hinton of our current batch of rookies. I think he'll be a nice piece in a year or two. Definitely TE will be a target and, yes, edge players. Two years away is an eternity in the NFL and we have 27 draft picks to meet our needs. That's a lot.

I have a different take after watching the cap video. With all those hits in 2029 as they come up on negotiations with the media, I wonder if Howie isn’t going to try to grab a bunch of rookies as a contingency. I would not have expected him to use all his picks this year.

2 hours ago, Iggles_Phan said:

Mailata is still 'young' by OT standards, but... I recall the issues that he had early in his career with back issues. Now, maybe those back issues early in his career were much more ado about nothing than real issues in his spine, but big people and back issues are a bad mix. Bad backs never really get better, they just get less troublesome.

You are right in terms of the number of picks and not needing to draft 13 players. But, at the same time, I expect that rather than trading them to move up exclusively, I think Howie will look to push some of them into the future more than in years past... because 2029 or 2030 seem to be where the piper's paycheck comes due.

I'll add that a lot of folks going into this past year with 8 picks said that there was no way that Howie would use all of them... and then draft weekend came and when the dust settled, Howie made 10 selections and even rolled an extra pick into 2026 (5th round).

Building on I_P’s bolded point, here’s a question for everyone. Are there any of the 10 Eagles drafted players that you would have preferred that Howie had not selected?

17 minutes ago, BigEFly said:

I have a different take after watching the cap video. With all those hits in 2029 as they come up on negotiations with the media, I wonder if Howie isn’t going to try to grab a bunch of rookies as a contingency. I would not have expected him to use all his picks this year.

We have often said in discussions here that Howie drafts for the future … and I look at each of the players drafted in April as fitting that pattern. Campbell may end up contributing this season, but he really was drafted for his long term potential more than his potential immediate impact.

Same is true of Makuba and Robinson. Both are capable of contributing this season, but their bigger value is in the long run.

Each of the seven players taken in the 5th and 6th rounds addressed a developmental opportunity on the roster. Will they all hit? That isn’t likely. But (almost) every one has the potential to have a meaningful Eagles career.

Looking ahead to the 2026 Offseason, the only meaningful hole currently is TE. However, I don’t expect Howie to force a TE pick in the 2026 Draft. Indeed, the 2026 TE class looks rather uninspiring, and I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see the starting TE coming from Free Agency or a trade. If that is the case, then IMO only Edge has an inside track at Pick 32 in 2026, and if Howie can find a willing partner, I think the odds of a redux of a trade like the 2018 Lamar Jackson trade, but without the need for getting pick 125 … better to get a "next 1st” rather than a "next 2nd”

3 hours ago, bpac55 said:

To take your mind off the Phillies doing Phillies things. I give you Canadians playing golf and picking a fight with a former NHLer. I've watched this entirely too many times laughing at the guy commentating while beating that guy down.

It’s a rarity to find a good course marshal when you encounter guys like this but, seriously ….. ride your cart ahead one hole and you’re rid of them. It’s just not worth the aggravation getting into a confrontation.

4 hours ago, RememberTheKoy said:

I would be shocked if we don't see a late training camp/mid-preseason trade as well as an in season trade near the deadline. Lot of draft picks and Roseman loves making those deals.

In a vacuum that makes some sense, but given the current Eagles roster, what position would be improved by such a trade?

If Ringo doesn’t star, CB is a possibility, but I expect Howie to be very patient vis a vis CB. The same level of patience is likely at Safety.

The only position where a trade might be likely is Edge, but I expect Howie will show patience there as well with the jury out on Ojulari, Uche, and APR.

8 hours ago, NOTW said:

Lurie is cash strapped, he's got his staff scouring the internet for suggestions. Like the beat reporters, they came here for ideas.

He needs an Amazon link, helps us!

2 minutes ago, mattwill said:

In a vacuum that makes some sense, but given the current Eagles roster, what position would be improved by such a trade?

If Ringo doesn’t star, CB is a possibility, but I expect Howie to be very patient vis a vis CB. The same level of patience is likely at Safety.

The only position where a trade might be likely is Edge, but I expect Howie will show patience there as well with the jury out on Ojulari, Uche, and APR.

CB, Safety, RG, Edge Rusher, backup RB, backup TE. There is always room to add someone and upgrade.

Just now, RememberTheKoy said:

CB, Safety, RG, Edge Rusher, backup RB, backup TE. There is always room to add someone and upgrade.

Which CB currently on the roster would you be upgrading? CB #4?

Safety #4?

RG #3?

Backup RB better than whom?

Backup TE better than whom?

And for all those positions you listed, what players are available via trade?

15 minutes ago, mattwill said:

Which CB currently on the roster would you be upgrading? CB #4?

Safety #4?

RG #3?

Backup RB better than whom?

Backup TE better than whom?

And for all those positions you listed, what players are available via trade?

The starting CB opposite of Quinyon is a complete unknown. The hope is Ringo wins the job and does well with it but if he flops that becomes a big hole on defende that teams will look to exploit.

Starting safety opposite Blankenship.

A backup RB that you cpupd be comfortable getting a significant amount of snaps if Bakrley misses time coming off of a huge touch load season. I like Shipley but they need more than him and I think AJ Dillon is washed. Wouldn't be the worst move on the world to being in a talented RB and you can then utilize them to hold off in being as Barkley heavy throughout the entire season to help preserve him for the post season.

Backup TE better than everyone we have at TE that isn't Goedert (who misses significant time every season).

I'm not the GM matt. That isn't my job. But the fact is the Eagles have a ton of draft picks and they do have a GM who likes to make trades in late summer and in season if he sees an opportunity to potentially improve the team. You can bet Roseman will be more storing all of those positions throughout training camp, preseason amd the season and he won't be gunshy to pull the trigger on a trade if he finds one he likes.

To act like the team is too perfectly put together with no areas they cpuld possiblt add someone in a trade though is silly.

Ghost is a tough read for me. Is he worth a top safety contract? No…but he will want his big payday and i dont blame him.

Unpopular opinion: reed leaves after this yr

14 minutes ago, ToastJenkins said:

Ghost is a tough read for me. Is he worth a top safety contract? No…but he will want his big payday and i dont blame him.

Unpopular opinion: reed leaves after this yr

I bet he has a new deal before week 1.

They aren't letting Reed Blankenship leave and I doubt he wants to leave so his contract demands will likely be reasonable.

48 minutes ago, RememberTheKoy said:

The starting CB opposite of Quinyon is a complete unknown. The hope is Ringo wins the job and does well with it but if he flops that becomes a big hole on defende that teams will look to exploit.

Starting safety opposite Blankenship.

A backup RB that you cpupd be comfortable getting a significant amount of snaps if Bakrley misses time coming off of a huge touch load season. I like Shipley but they need more than him and I think AJ Dillon is washed. Wouldn't be the worst move on the world to being in a talented RB and you can then utilize them to hold off in being as Barkley heavy throughout the entire season to help preserve him for the post season.

Backup TE better than everyone we have at TE that isn't Goedert (who misses significant time every season).

I'm not the GM matt. That isn't my job. But the fact is the Eagles have a ton of draft picks and they do have a GM who likes to make trades in late summer and in season if he sees an opportunity to potentially improve the team. You can bet Roseman will be more storing all of those positions throughout training camp, preseason amd the season and he won't be gunshy to pull the trigger on a trade if he finds one he likes.

To act like the team is too perfectly put together with no areas they cpuld possiblt add someone in a trade though is silly.

You are approaching your thinking as if you are playing Madden.

CB is an unknown for you and me, but anything but an unknown for Fangio and Howie. You are assuming that there is a CB, available in a trade, who is better than Ringo and/or Jackson. You may not be a GM, but you can take the time and go through the 31 rosters, which are readily available to you, and assemble a list of possibilities. That is simply doing due diligence.

Regarding starting Safety opposite Blankenship, what was the point in drafting Makuba if you are going to bail on him before he even goes through Training Camp. And Makuba isn’t the only Safety in the mix. Both Brown and Cine have significant strengths, as well as question marks. Here too some simple roster homework on your part will allow you to assemble and share with the Blog the list of trade possibilities. Again, that is basic due diligence.

The same failure to do due diligence bites you in both the RB and TE positions. You may not like Shipley and Dillon, but what are the available (or not available) upgrades? What is it about Calcaterra that you don’t like? How did he produce when he got the starts last season? He is a plus receiver, and a good blocker when they put him into pre-snap motion. What more do you want from your TE#2? And have you ever seen Bryant or Granson take a snap?

You can do better.

8 hours ago, ToastJenkins said:

Ghost is a tough read for me. Is he worth a top safety contract? No…but he will want his big payday and i dont blame him.

Unpopular opinion: reed leaves after this yr

Ive thought the same thing….unless he chooses to give a major discount.

8 hours ago, mattwill said:

You are approaching your thinking as if you are playing Madden.

CB is an unknown for you and me, but anything but an unknown for Fangio and Howie. You are assuming that there is a CB, available in a trade, who is better than Ringo and/or Jackson. You may not be a GM, but you can take the time and go through the 31 rosters, which are readily available to you, and assemble a list of possibilities. That is simply doing due diligence.

Regarding starting Safety opposite Blankenship, what was the point in drafting Makuba if you are going to bail on him before he even goes through Training Camp. And Makuba isn’t the only Safety in the mix. Both Brown and Cine have significant strengths, as well as question marks. Here too some simple roster homework on your part will allow you to assemble and share with the Blog the list of trade possibilities. Again, that is basic due diligence.

The same failure to do due diligence bites you in both the RB and TE positions. You may not like Shipley and Dillon, but what are the available (or not available) upgrades? What is it about Calcaterra that you don’t like? How did he produce when he got the starts last season? He is a plus receiver, and a good blocker when they put him into pre-snap motion. What more do you want from your TE#2? And have you ever seen Bryant or Granson take a snap?

You can do better.

You were doing fine until your last sentence. History has disproven that one.

WR is definitely a quieter need on the team. The big 2 and a bunch of question marks are present. While AJ and Devonta are signed up, don't discount a higher draft pick at WR because it gives f;ex for both injuries and can mitigate the need for a TE who can do it all, if the TE prospects are not so strong. There are many ways Howie can go about it. Same as RB.

Be interested to see who they perhaps trade away ala CGJ

14 hours ago, bpac55 said:

To take your mind off the Phillies doing Phillies things. I give you Canadians playing golf and picking a fight with a former NHLer. I've watched this entirely too many times laughing at the guy commentating while beating that guy down.

The guy that delivers the beatdown is Nick Tarnasky a former NHL enforcer. It makes the narration of the punches that much better. How the other guy thought he was going to lay a finger on Tarnasky is another question.

9 hours ago, T-1000 said:

They aren't letting Reed Blankenship leave and I doubt he wants to leave so his contract demands will likely be reasonable.

This is his one chance to cash in and the average salary for the tip 15 safeties ( Blankenship hovers in that group). He's gonna want something like 4 years $60 million with at least $30 million guaranteed.

11 hours ago, RememberTheKoy said:

CB, Safety, RG, Edge Rusher, backup RB, backup TE. There is always room to add someone and upgrade.

Agreed. Thinking otherwise is naive

It seems they knowingly sacrificed talent at some positions to rely on the strength in other areas. And put faith in potential replacements via existing backups, free agent band aids and rookies. Some of it was making financial room to extend key players both now and in upcoming seasons, while developing draft picks. Keep the vital players on the roster.

They are trusting that if these moves don't work out, they have enough talent on the roster and coaching to find ways to compensate. And next offseason it will give them focus for the draft to address those areas.

It's a gamble in some of these positions, but overall the roster is very strong. There are question marks and we will see how things develop. But it seems they are better positioned to adapt and compensate rather than simply having liabilities out there.