NFL rumors: Eagles willing to trade wide receiver after Super Bowl run

The Philadelphia Eagles are reportedly looking to move on from one of their wide receivers this offseason, even after their run to Super Bowl 57.

The Philadelphia Eagles had a fantastic 2022 season but fell just short of their ultimate goal — winning Super Bowl 57. They did enter halftime of the big game with a 24-14 lead over the Kansas City Chiefs, but lost 38-35. The Eagles now have a tough offseason ahead of them, as they have some big names set to become unrestricted free agents. It appears that general manager Howie Roseman has a move in mind heading into the 2023 league year.

The Athletic published an article (subscription required) that featured blurbs from those who cover all 32 teams, and asked them to identify potential cut or trade candidates. For the Eagles, The Athletic staff writer Bo Wulf listed wide receiver Quez Watkins as a potential trade candidate.

The Eagles don’t really have a proper answer for this prompt. There are a few players with contracts designed for them to be post-June 1 releases (Fletcher Cox for sure, along with perhaps Brandon Graham and Jason Kelce, depending on their decision about their futures),” writes Wulf. “Watkins had an underwhelming third season in Philadelphia as the No. 3 wide receiver following A.J. Brown’s addition to the offense. Upgrading from Watkins won’t be the Eagles’ top offseason priority, but it’s something they’d like to do, perhaps in the middle rounds of the draft. Watkins still offers top-end speed, so if there’s a team desperate for some, Howie Roseman would certainly be open to a deal.”

Quez Watkins a potential trade candidate for Eagles?

Watkins entered the 2020 pre-NFL Draft process after playing four seasons at Southern Mississippi. at the NFL Scouting Combine, Watkins logged a 4.35-second 40-yard dash time, which was the third-fastest out of everyone at that year’s event. Only Alabama’s Henry Ruggs (4:27) and Utah’s Javelin Guidry (4:29).

In his second season, Watkins earned 12 starts and played in all 17 games, where he recorded 43 receptions for 647 yards and a touchdown on 62 targets. His target total was the third-most on the Eagles, ranking only behind wide receiver DeVonta Smith (104) and tight end Dallas Goedert (76).

This past season, Watkins’ target total took a dip after the team acquired A.J. Brown from the Tennessee Titans. Brown led the team with 145 targets, followed by Smith with 136, and Goedert with 69. Watkins received 51 targets, where he made 31 catches for 354 yards and three touchdowns. Watkins played in all 17 regular season games, receiving just eight starts. In the playoffs, the third-year wideout received just three targets in all three games played, picking up one reception for eight yards.

Could the Eagles opt to move on from Watkins this offseason? That’s anyone’s guess. We could get a better idea once the league year starts, where we see who the Eagles bring in during free agency and the NFL Draft.