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With all the news swirling about the Philadelphia Eagles wanting to trade down and NFL Network reporter Albert Breer’s source calling them the “swing state” of the 2013 NFL Draft, it’s starting to seem almost inevitable that Chip Kelly and Co. will trade out of that No. 4 overall pick. What’s seemingly inevitable, to me at least, is that the Eagles will trade Nick Foles at some point this offseason or fail trying.
Clearly, you need a quarterback who provides a threat of the run to allow an offense that incorporates read-option to work. Since Kelly’s time at Oregon and interviews since taking the Eagles job all indicate this will be the case, then it seems Foles — who has never posed any threat with his legs — is the odd man out. Philly re-signed Michael Vick, and while that doesn’t guarantee he will start it does indicate what type of athlete Kelly is looking for in his quarterback.
My hunch says that the Eagles try to find a way to deal Foles before late second round because they will lose leverage if and when they take a mobile quarterback in this draft, perhaps Geno Smith.
I believe my Eagles-Smith hunch is supported by the multiple reports about Philly hoping to trade down, as the general opinion on Smith’s draft stock has recently plummeted from sure-fire top 10, to sure-fire first-rounder, to “day two I guess.” I believe the Eagles have a plan to select him lower than pick No. 4, and based on the intel are confident he will fall much farther than that.
The Eagles would not shock too many people by taking edge rusher Dion Jordan or Lane Johnson at fourth overall either, but those two could very well not be available. If that’s the case, I’m betting on a trade down.
Thomas Emerick is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @ThomasEmerick, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
