Eagles Reportedly Exploring Trade of OL Halapoulivaati Vaitai
By Michael Luciano
The man they call "Big V" could be on his way out of Philadelphia.
The Eagles, still looking to improve their defense before the NFL trade deadline, could trade away offensive lineman Halapoulivaati Vaitai, a backup blocker (at this point) who is in the final year of his contract.
Plenty of teams are looking for offensive line help and #Eagles OT Halapoulivaati Vaitai is a name to watch, per @AlbertBreer. ‘Big V’ is in the final year of his contract.
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) October 28, 2019
The #Eagles have been in the market for secondary help.
The goal? As always, it's secondary help.
Vaitai, a former fifth-round pick out of TCU, has played in 41 games as an Eagle, starting 17. Vaitai started 10 games for the Eagles during their Super Bowl season after the injury to Jason Peters. In just 71 snaps this season, Vaitai has racked up a solid 78.2 grade for Pro Football Focus.
Two names that have been mentioned as suitors are the Cleveland Browns, a team still in the market for offensive line help that just sent disgruntled pass rusher Genard Avery to Philly, and the New England Patriots, who are always looking for offensive line help to convert into Pro Bowlers.
"Halapoulivaati Vaitai continues to be a name of interest on the market...
— John Barchard (@JohnBarchard) October 28, 2019
..... The team has explored the corner market, and there are tackle-needy teams (Cleveland, New England) with depth at that spot." https://t.co/mbpfHdkJEU
Vaitai has more than proven himself as a quality spot starter, and any team that is poking around the offensive line market could unearth a gem in the Eagles lineman.