Top pair of suggested trade acquisitions to bolster Philadelphia Eagles' 2025 squad
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Philadelphia Eagles, fresh from their Super Bowl victory, are cleverly safeguarding their future dominance, not just resting on their laurels. Instead, they're crafting a shrewd strategy involving well-timed roster trades. With a stacked squad and a sharp front office, the Eagles' 2025 lineup ain't got no glaring gaps. But in a league where champions and contenders are often separated by the slimmest of margins, even tweaking secondary positions could be the game-changer. Two players on the Eagles' radar? Wide receiver Rashod Bateman and tight end Luke Musgrave.
Changes, Depth, and Draft Mastery
Having clinched Super Bowl 59, it was a busy post-season for the Eagles – signings, departures, but always prepared for turnover. Kevin Patullo slid into the offensive coordinator spot, having served as the pass game coordinator since 2021. Defensively, big names like Josh Sweat, Milton Williams, Darius Slay, and Isaiah Rodgers headed for the exits in free agency, leaving a void. But the team was well-prepared, as shown by yet another draft displaying Howie Roseman's knack for value.
The 2025 draft saw Roseman strike gold yet again. Jihaad Campbell, a linebacker, shockingly fell to the Eagles at No. 31. Campbell, a versatile player with elite traits, boasted grades above 75.0 in coverage, run defense, and pass rush in his final college season. Members of the Birds expect him to step in alongside Zack Baun from Day 1.
In Round 2, the Eagles secured safety Andrew Mukuba. An elite coverage specialist, Mukuba forced incompletions on over a quarter of his targets in college, an exceptional mark. He'll battle for a starting spot right away. Philadelphia added eight players on Day 3 too, rejuvenating their roster.
Yet a pair of low-risk, high-reward trades could polish this roster, particularly at WR3 and TE2. So, let's check out two potential trade targets for the Eagles.
Target 1: Rashod Bateman
Baltimore Ravens wideout Rashod Bateman has long been hyped as a breakout candidate. His development took a while, but 2024 was the payoff year – he racked up 756 receiving yards and scored 9 TDs. No surprise, he finally earned MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson's trust.
Why are trade murmurs surrounding Bateman?
Baltimore's offseason acquisition of DeAndre Hopkins has ignited speculation that Bateman might be the odd man out in a crowded receiver room, which also features Zay Flowers and Nelson Agholor. On paper, moving Bateman goes against the Ravens' win-now mindset. But shedding him wouldn't significantly help their cap or roster depth. But where there's smoke, there's usually fire. Bateman's name persists in trade rumors, with the Eagles grabbing headlines.
The Eagles don't need a new starting receiver with Saquon Barkley powering the run game and the elite WR tandem of AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith leading the aerial attack. Bateman wouldn't be brought in to compete for WR1 or WR2 snaps. Rather, he'd thrive as a third option, strengthening Jalen Hurts' arsenal of trusted weapons. It's a luxury move, not a necessity. But in a playoff run, misconceptions matter, and adding Bateman would force defenses into even trickier decisions.
Target 2: Luke Musgrave
After Dallas Goedert, the Eagles' tight end room lacks consistent production. Hang on to your hats because Luke Musgrave, a Green Bay Packers TE and a 2023 second-round pick, could be an excellent fit. He recorded 34 catches for 352 yards and a touchdown as a rookie despite missing time due to injury. At 6'6 and 253 pounds, Musgrave offers an imposing physical frame. His speed and vertical threat ability stand out, traits that could spark new dimensions in the Eagles' two-tight end sets.
Financially, Musgrave is intriguing too, with a modest $2.3 million cap hit in 2025 and his contract running through 2026. This fits nicely with the Eagles' model of stocking cheap, upside-heavy contributors around their higher-paid stars. Green Bay, on the other hand, has a tight end logjam, making Musgrave the most tradable asset. If the Eagles offer a 2026 fourth-rounder or a player-for-player swap, it could entice the Packers.
Musgrave wouldn't be a direct threat to Goedert's TE1 status, but he could command around 30-40% of offensive snaps. With Patullo shaping the offense, expect more tight end versatility in 2025, and Musgrave would be an ideal chess piece to help achieve this.
Final Thoughts
The Eagles aren't desperate, but the difference between back-to-back Super Bowl victories and a playoff letdown might rest on their ability to strengthen middle and back-end depth. Rashod Bateman and Luke Musgrave may not grab headlines, but they represent smart, cost-effective steps toward another championship-caliber roster for the Birds.
- The off-season preparations for the Eagles' football team in college focus on strengthening depth and draft mastery, even after their Super Bowl victory.
- Trade rumors swirl around wide receiver Rashod Bateman of the Baltimore Ravens, who had a breakout year in 2024, with the Eagles as potential suitors.
- Luke Musgrave, a Green Bay Packers tight end, presents an intriguing trade target for the Eagles due to his physical frame, speed, vertical threat ability, and modest contract.
- acquisition of Bateman or Musgrave would neither fill glaring gaps in the Eagles' lineup nor be essential for team success, but could serve as luxury moves to further bolster Jalen Hurts' arsenal of trusted weapons and potentially provide an edge in tight games.
