This Eagles-Panthers Trade for WR Curtis Samuel Could Actually Work
The Philadelphia Eagles desperately need to make upgrades at wide receiver before the start of the 2020 NFL season to avoid another disaster at the position like the one seen in 2019. This means actually acquiring established talent and not just adding more rookies/practice squad talent and hoping for the best.
Alshon Jeffery and Desean Jackson, two aged veterans, are the top two targets for Carson Wentz. Those names don't inspire much confidence for Eagles fans and the front office should feel the same. One player the team should target in a trade is Carolina Panthers receiver Curtis Samuel, assuming he's on the block after the latest rumors.
Rumored Potential #NFL Trade Candidates
— Spotrac (@spotrac) March 26, 2020
DE Yannick Ngakoue, JAC
DE Olivier Vernon, CLE
DE Carlos Dunlap, CIN
LB Matt Judon, BAL
OG Joe Thuney, NE
OT Trent Williams, WAS
RB, Matt Breida, SF
TE David Njoku, CLE
WR Curtis Samuel, CAR
WR Marquise Goodwin, SF
WR Sammy Watkins, KC
The Panthers just signed Robby Anderson and also have D.J. Moore under contract for a minimum of two more years. Samuel is a free agent after 2020 and if he has shown no intention of re-signing, the Panthers should try to get something in return. With a new regime under Matt Rhule taking over, Samuel may not have a place in the new edition of the Panthers.
Philadelphia is the obvious trade partner here. The narrative surrounding the team last season was the inexperience at receiver (and Nelson Agholor becoming a punchline). But Agholor is now gone and both Jeffery and Jackson are aging veterans coming off season-ending injuries. Not good.
Howie Roseman says the Eagles view their WR position different than it’s publicly viewed. Doesn’t mean they won’t look to make more improvements.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) March 26, 2020
The Eagles have 10 draft picks this year and own two third-round picks. The first is No. 85 overall and the second is a compensatory pick at No. 103 overall. Using that first third-rounder in a trade for Samuel would be a great value move on the part of Eagles GM Howie Roseman and allows him to improve the position with a proven player. After all, Philly fans don't want to see practice squad players suiting up in 2020.
Samuel will be cheap, but after his encouraging campaign last season with Kyle Allen and Will Grier as his quarterbacks, the Panthers aren't going to give him away for nothing. The Eagles need to find the right price point and hit it.