NFL mock draft predicts Eagles making blockbuster draft night trade

A recent CBS Sports mock draft had the Philadelphia Eagles making a blockbuster trade that would make them an even scarier team in 2023.

The Philadelphia Eagles, despite the number of players they have lost this offseason, are in great shape. While there were notably exits on the defense, there was some departures on the offense One big name that is no longer on the roster is running back Miles Sanders, who signed a four-year, $25.4 million contract with the Carolina Panthers. So, the Eagles have Kenneth Gainwell and Boston Scott at the top of their depth chart.

CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso released a seven-round mock draft recently, and he had the Eagles trading away their 30th overall pick to the Los Angeles Chargers. In exchange, the Eagles would get the 54th-overall pick and running back Austin Ekeler.

“The Chargers see an opening, and make a seismic move for the high-floor, high-upside right tackle from Tennessee,” writes Trapasso. “In the move, they send No. 54 and — wait for it — Austin Ekeler to Philadelphia. HELLO!”

CBS Sports mock draft has Eagles trading first-round pick to Chargers for RB Austin Ekeler

This would be quite the get for general manager Howie Roseman, who has made some notable big moves in recent years. You know, like acquiring wide receiver A.J. Brown from the Tennessee Titans and safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson from the New Orleans Saints. But Ekeler is arguably the best dual-threat running back in the entire NFL.

Ekeler is set to enter the final year of his four-year, $24.5 million contract with the Chargers. The two parties were reportedly unable to make any progress on a new contract, which is when the Chargers gave Ekeler permission to seek a trade.

This past season, Ekeler led all of the NFL in touchdowns from scrimmage with 18. Ekeler ran for 915 yards and 13 touchdowns on 204 carries, while also catching 107 passes for 722 yards and five touchdowns on 127 targets.

A player of Ekeler’s caliber would make the Eagles offense that much more terrifying. Quarterback Jalen Hurts would not only have Ekeler to lean upon in the running game, but can also target him downfield. What would be interesting to see is if the Eagles would be able to secure him to a long-term contract, especially with how the market has not been too kind to running backs.