5 minutes ago, NYEagle said:

How dare you insult the great name of Clifford Franklin !!!

20 minutes ago, LeanMeanGM said:

Not sure if that's a typo but Eagles are giving up the 6th in 2027. They aren't getting anything back besides Wicks.

Damn completely read that trade wrong then. Yeah that’s my bad.

12 minutes ago, Mike030270 said:

We had trouble spreading the ball just to our top playmakers

I’d argue we also had Dotson, Watkins, Zac O behind our top WRs so why would we even want to throw to anyone besides 3 guys. Probably helps if we actually have depth in case of injury which we’ve surprisingly avoided major injuries there and actually could help guys like smith and brown (unlikely he’s here). At least now you have multiple options who I’d argue are as good as Dotson if not better. Plus probably adding a WR in the draft and a tight end.

3 minutes ago, LeanMeanGM said:

I think you have to consider the totality of the moves. If it was just a trade for Wicks I would agree it's doesn't say much. But when they are heavily looking at top WR's in the draft, signing Brown, signing Moore and now trading for Wicks it all points to Brown being out. Otherwise they are spending a lot of their limited assets on WR4/5 which wouldn't make much sense.

Eh I don't see Brown or Moore as big needle movers either though. Moore could easily be cut before the season and Brown really isn't more than a WR3 type currently. Same with Wicks.

Now if they go WR early? Absolutely. But just talking to top end talent at a certain position just seems like Howie crap to me.

To be clear imo I think it's more likely than not that he's traded before the year. And almost a certainty he's traded before the start of next year. But that's almost entirely based on the trade noise and gm speak etc. Wicks, Brown and Moore...meh even if Browns fate was still in flux I could see them making those moves.

Is dontayvion wicks a good blocker

AI Overview

Yes, Green Bay Packers wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks is considered a strong and aggressive run-blocker. He is often praised for his tenacity in engaging defenders, with analysts noting his high-level ability to finish plays, ranking in the 92nd percentile for run-blocking grades among receivers since 2023.

30 minutes ago, NYEagle said:

Hmmmm. Looks like he's been jakking off the elephant again.

2 minutes ago, DEagle7 said:

Eh I don't see Brown or Moore as big needle movers either though. Moore could easily be cut before the season and Brown really isn't more than a WR3 type currently. Same with Wicks.

Now if they go WR early? Absolutely. But just talking to top end talent at a certain position just seems like Howie crap to me.

To be clear imo I think it's more likely than not that he's traded before the year. And almost a certainty he's traded before the start of next year. But that's almost entirely based on the trade noise and gm speak etc. Wicks, Brown and Moore...meh even if Browns fate was still in flux I could see them making those moves.

But if Brown stays on the roster that means they just gave their WR4 either up to $12.5M (guarantees TBD) or a guaranteed $5M. That's not moves you make at WR4 at that cost. I get both not being big needle movers as players but when you look at the money, it kinda is, IMO.

In 2022 it was Pascal/Watkins, both making barely $1M.

In 2023 it was Watkins/Zaccheus. Both were making around $1M.

In 2024 it was Parker/Campbell/Ross. Highest paid was Campbell at $1.29M.

In 2025 it was Marshall/Metchie/Cooper (UDFA). Metchie was slightly more because of his rookie contract but still in that $1M - $2M range.

I mentioned those specific years because that's when we had Brown and Smith. The direction they are going in 2026 is a clear deviation from how they operated in the past.

31 minutes ago, e-a-g-l-e-s eagles! said:

Damn completely read that trade wrong then. Yeah that’s my bad.

We're giving up a 5th this year and a 6th next year, in exchange for Wicks

54 minutes ago, HazletonEagle said:

Id take him over Wicks actually.

4.6 guy with turtle like 1.59 10 yard.

Drops throughout college and pro career.

Absolute cheeks.

Wicks has been fairly productive in the NFL over three seasons. Those combine numbers you listed donbt mean anything now. What he has done in his NFL career over three seasons matters. Not saying the trade is good or bad but Combine numbers for a guy that has had a decent three year NFL carreer doesn't mean anything.

1 minute ago, LeanMeanGM said:

But if Brown stays on the roster that means they just gave their WR4 either up to $12.5M (guarantees TBD) or a guaranteed $5M. That's not moves you make at WR4 at that cost. I get both not being big needle movers as players but when you look at the money, it kinda is, IMO.

In 2022 it was Pascal/Watkins, both making barely $1M.

In 2023 it was Watkins/Zaccheus. Both were making around $1M.

In 2024 it was Parker/Campbell/Ross. Highest paid was Campbell at $1.29M.

In 2025 it was Marshall/Metchie/Cooper (UDFA). Metchie was slightly more because of his rookie contract but still in that $1M - $2M range.

I mentioned those specific years because that's when we had Brown and Smith. The direction they are going in 2026 is a clear deviation from how they operated in the past.

Good points. One counter I could make is that could be Mannion's influence too who clearly likes depth at the position. Another is that our WR3/4s have been pretty **** in those years so maybe it's as simple as wanting those guys to be players you can actually throw to on occasion.

1 minute ago, Eagles1960 said:

Wicks has been fairly productive in the NFL over three seasons. Those combine numbers you listed donbt mean anything now. What he has done in his NFL career over three seasons matters. Not saying the trade is good or bad but Combine numbers for a guy that has had a decent three year NFL carreer doesn't mean anything.

Still has drop issues.

Well, that was unexpected. Don’t mind the cost - 5th this year; 6th next year. Basically nothing. Better than giving up a 3rd for Dotson.

As for what this means re: AJ. I want to see how real that 12.5mm deal for 2027 is - how much is guaranteed. But still - AJ won’t be on the team in 2027 no matter what, so the real impact is the 3.674mm salary for this year. I still think AJ is more likely than not to be traded before the season, but not sure this changes that a ton.

Trading for and extending Wicks is a quadruple down on curls and less than 7 yard routes lmao.

9 minutes ago, LeanMeanGM said:

But if Brown stays on the roster that means they just gave their WR4 either up to $12.5M (guarantees TBD) or a guaranteed $5M. That's not moves you make at WR4 at that cost. I get both not being big needle movers as players but when you look at the money, it kinda is, IMO.

In 2022 it was Pascal/Watkins, both making barely $1M.

In 2023 it was Watkins/Zaccheus. Both were making around $1M.

In 2024 it was Parker/Campbell/Ross. Highest paid was Campbell at $1.29M.

In 2025 it was Marshall/Metchie/Cooper (UDFA). Metchie was slightly more because of his rookie contract but still in that $1M - $2M range.

I mentioned those specific years because that's when we had Brown and Smith. The direction they are going in 2026 is a clear deviation from how they operated in the past.

Eh. There’s no way AJ is here in 2027. So it’s really 3.674mm for WR3/4 this year. Inline with Dotson last year, but with Hollywood Brown, a real step up vs. WR4 last couple years.

I mean does Wicks move the needle at all? We are paying him decent money on a one year deal but I don’t think it moves the needle much. It’s a good move if AJ stays or they draft a WR high. If not then it feels like we have a number of WR 3/4 but will have no legit WR 2.

13 minutes ago, DEagle7 said:

Good points. One counter I could make is that could be Mannion's influence too who clearly likes depth at the position. Another is that our WR3/4s have been pretty **** in those years so maybe it's as simple as wanting those guys to be players you can actually throw to on occasion.

How much of his play has been from the slot?

12 minutes ago, vikas83 said:

Eh. There’s no way AJ is here in 2027. So it’s really 3.674mm for WR3/4 this year. Inline with Dotson last year, but with Hollywood Brown, a real step up vs. WR4 last couple years.

GB always seemed to favor spreading the ball across more WR over the past few seasons

I like the Wicks move

• Draft insurance if the board sucks

• Doesn't prevent you drafting a WR at any point

• Hollywood Brown insurance

• Can help other WRs with scheme questions

• He can get open deep which helps Jalen

• His biggest issue (drops) should be mitigated by Jalen who throws a more catchable ball than Love

• Cost is reasonable. Extension has the potential to provide surplus value. Waiting on guarantees.

I’ve been hoping against hope that things could work out with Brown but have been operating under the assumption that he’s gone June 1.

I don’t think Elijah Moore factors into the equation, but it would be foolish to ignore trading assets for Wicks (and extending him) and paying guaranteed money for Hollywood Brown. Them as our Nos. 2 and 3 wide receivers aren’t good, I think the Eagles could talk themselves into believing they’re just fine while a highly-drafted rookie develops this year, or simply buys them the optionality of waiting until next year.

If Howie expected to retain Brown, they would have added only one of Hollywood and Wicks IMO.

The Wicks trade in and of itself might not be a huge move (although I think he can definitely be a better player than most are giving him credit for) but it think it really sheds light on so many important things.

The AJ Brown of it

I have always thought that AJ Brown would be traded so this doesn't really change things from my perspective, but it certainly makes it even more obvious to me. Is the WR room a finished product yet in a post AJ Brown world for the Eagles, no. With that being said the draft hasn't happened yet and trading for Wicks is just another piece of the puzzle put in place.

"Replacing AJ Brown"

You don't replace an AJ Brown one for one, that just doesn't happen. Despite what happened last season and how he played, when motivated and healthy he is most definitely an elite WR in this league. I think it's pretty obvious that Howie understands that and is taking the money ball approach to replacing him. First off Smitty will be WR1 and have a bigger role and I think most would agree he is ready for that and in an offense likely to motion him more, move him around etc he should be more effective. Wicks isn't going to do it at the same level as Brown but he is good at running a lot of the same short to intermediate routes that AJ runs and can be a chain mover on 3rd downs. He is also a really good blocker and when AJ felt like playing he was as well. Hollywood Brown does it with speed as opposed to being physical and catching 50/50 balls but he can provide an element of a deep threat to the offense. Lastly, I still think they are drafting a WR early, and I think they are going to target someone who can bring a different element to the room and replace the size that AJ brought. Denzel Boston, Chris Bell, Ted Hurst, etc. This also sets everything up for a much deeper WR room where the ball will be spread around to 4 WR's which is something that Mannion is comfortable with having been around GB have success with that in recent years.

The Sean Mannion of it

I'm sure Howie likes Wicks and had he not he isn't willing to make this move. However, this is yet another example that the offense is legit changing and perhaps Mannion already has more influence than the last few OC's. I realize he is 33 and a first time play caller but it's only common sense to assume that he really likes Wicks and sees a role for him in this offense and if that's the case it's a good thing and should provide more legit evidence to those being stubborn and suggesting the offense won't change that much. Mannion obviously has some real influence already.

The Draft

Like I said, four WR's who do different things, have different rolls, and all contribute. Smitty is the clear number 1 WR who can do it all. Wicks is a good route runner and does his best work on short to intermediate routes. Hollywood Brown is a deep threat, is at his best in the slot, and can also makes plays on screens, end arounds, etc. They are still missing that fourth guy though and that is where the draft comes in and I think it's someone with size who can be a difference maker in the red zone. For those who think or are concerned this takes them out of the mix for an early WR in the draft I couldn't disagree more. I still see them getting someone on day 1 or day 2 and that will be the final puzzle piece to make way for the AJ Brown trade, a money ball approach to replacing him, and Sean Mannion having legit pull and bringing his offense with a GB style approach of spreading the ball around and the change this offense this offense desperately. The ball will now be 100% in Jalen's court to not only make it all work but thrive but that's another story for another day.

5 minutes ago, ToastJenkins said:

GB always seemed to favor spreading the ball across more WR over the past few seasons

LaFleur got killed in the players survey, with players noting dissatisfaction with their roles. I’m confident that came from the WRs. Fans were even frustrated with how he rotated players, barely playing Golden. With Doubs and Wicks gone, they’ve streamlined a five and sometimes six man rotation to Golden and Watson on the outside with Reed in the slot. Maybe Williams and a draft pick soak up some snaps, but this is a way for them to get their best players on the field while also making them happier.

15 minutes ago, UK_EaglesFan89 said:

I mean does Wicks move the needle at all? We are paying him decent money on a one year deal but I don’t think it moves the needle much. It’s a good move if AJ stays or they draft a WR high. If not then it feels like we have a number of WR 3/4 but will have no legit WR 2.

Smitty, Wicks, Hollywood, and working in a true X with size and red zone ability like Boston, Bell, or Hurst via the draft will be more than enough at the WR position. Not to mention Goedert at TE and they will probably add someone in the draft there as well.

20 minutes ago, vikas83 said:

Eh. There’s no way AJ is here in 2027. So it’s really 3.674mm for WR3/4 this year. Inline with Dotson last year, but with Hollywood Brown, a real step up vs. WR4 last couple years.

It would be $5M plus $3.67M for WR 3/4. I don’t remember exactly what Dotson made his two years but that seems to be a pretty big uptick compared to him + Cooper/Metchie.

Not necessarily here, but I’ve seen people say Eagles aren’t trading Brown unless they bring in a name with the same caliber as Brown which I think is unreasonable. They aren’t going to get an Adams or Pickens like player to replace Brown with. It’s realistically going to be what they are doing, multiple mid names and replacing him with a sum of the parts.

If Howie is indeed counting on Brown being gone and this isn't just insurance that means the Patriots met his asking price of at least a 1st and a 3rd or he at least believes they will or is under the impression they will which would be good. I don't believe there is any scenario in which Howie considers trading him for less than that.

EJ Smith has said from talking to people at the owner's meetings, he believes the Patriots are willing to pay that price.

People locally in Boston said the Patriots won't go above a 2nd round. There is a greater chance Jalen Hurts is traded before the season than Howie deals Brown for a 2nd rounder.