DeSean Jackson's Health Could Determine if Eagles try to Trade for a WR
The Eagles’ decision to give DeSean Jackson a bit of an extra push this week to see how his damaged abdomen responds is more than just about seeing if and when he will be ready to return to the field.
It is also about seeing if Jackson will be able to help them at all the remainder of the season.
To be clear, head coach Doug Pederson said on Monday that Jackson’s injury was a strain and not a sports hernia that requires surgery. Whatever it is, Jackson has not done anything since catching two 50-plus-yard touchdowns in the season opening win over the Washington Redskins.
With the trade deadline just three weeks away now on Oct. 29, the Eagles have to know whether or not Jackson will return and be effective or if they should begin shopping for another receiver.
There are plenty of pass catchers that could be available and Howie Roseman, well the Eagles general manager is always on the prowl for a deal.
Two years ago, he traded a fourth-round draft pick to Miami for running back Jay Ajayi, who helped the Eagles win a Super Bowl. Maybe the Eagles could try to pry away another Miami running back in Kenyan Drake, especially now that Darren Sproles is hurt again and Corey Clement seems to be an afterthought so far this season.
Last year, Roseman dealt away a third-round draft pick to the Detroit Lions for receiver Golden Tate, who made the game-winning catch in playoff win over the Chicago Bears, but didn’t quite fit, or maybe it was that the Eagles’ coaching staff had trouble fitting him into their system.
Jackson’s health will determine if Roseman investigates a crop of receivers that could be available and might include the Vikings’ Stefon Diggs, who the Eagles will see up close on Sunday when they visit Minnesota for a 1 p.m. kickoff.
Others that may be available and prove useful if Jackson isn’t able to be at 100 percent are A.J. Green of the Bengals, Emmanuel Sanders of the Broncos, DeVante Parker of the Dolphins and Robbie Anderson of the Jets.
Second-round draft pick, rookie J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, has been slow to develop, but he isn’t considered the potential deep threat that would need to be plugged in to help make the Eagles’ offense more effective and dynamic.
If Jackson shows he can be counted on, then Roseman could turn his attention to the defense, where cornerback is a clear position of need.
It doesn’t appear as if everyone’s favorite target, Jacksonville’s Jalen Ramsey, will be traded, though that could change as the deadline draws closer.
Other corners that may be available include the Broncos’ Chris Harris, the Cardinals’ Patrick Peterson, the Giants’ Janoris Jenkins, and the Redskins’ Josh Norman.
Those 10 sacks aside against the Jets on Sunday, the Eagles could also elect to fortify their defensive line. Tackle Timmy Jernigan is expected to return at some point this season after suffering a foot injury in Week Two.
A defensive tackle possibility is Cincinnati’s Geno Atkins, who at 31 is still effective, but would come with a high price tag.
At defensive end, there are reports that Denver’s Von Miller won’t be traded, but maybe his teammate, Derek Wolfe, could be had. Wolfe has spent all eight of his NFL season with the Broncos and has 26 career sacks, though the most he had on a season was 5.5, doing that in both 2015 and 2016.
Right now, Roseman is sorting it all out, but he needs to know first if Jackson will be ready or not.
