The Philadelphia Eagles are 6-1 and are coming off of a very impressive Week 7 win over the Miami Dolphins in what was certainly their best performance of the season to date.
However, the Eagles can still stand to improve, as they looked rather shaky over their first six games. That included a loss to the New York Jets in Week 6.
It’s clear that Philadelphia understands it has holes, which was why it went out and acquired safety Kevin Byard in a trade with the Tennessee Titans.
But the Eagles may not be done making moves.
Here are three targets for Philly to pursue ahead of the Oct. 31 NFL trade deadline.
Hunter Renfrow, Las Vegas Raiders
For all of the talk about the dominance of A.J. Brown through the first seven weeks of the season, we tend to forget that the Eagles don’t have much depth at wide receiver behind Brown and DeVonta Smith. They did sign Julio Jones, but Jones has not really been all that productive in three years.
There is no doubt that Philadelphia is in need of a No. 3 wide out, and Hunter Renfrow would be the perfect target for the team.
Renfrow has been a forgotten man in the Raiders’ offense, having logged just eight catches over the club’s first seven games.
However, just two years ago, Renfrow was one of the league’s most prolific pass-catchers, hauling in 103 receptions for 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns.
The Eagles wouldn’t need Renfrow to be that guy again, but they could at least use his sure hands and reliability in support of Brown and Smith.
Donte Jackson, Carolina Panthers
Yes, the Eagles did add Byard, but they could still use some more depth in their secondary, particularly at cornerback.
Philadelphia lost versatile corner Avonte Maddox to a torn pectoral muscle earlier in the season, which has absolutely compromised Philly’s depth at the position.
Donte Jackson would represent a cheap pickup for the Eagles, as he is a 28-year-old impending free agent playing for a Panthers club that is 0-6.
Jackson has recovered nicely from the torn Achilles that sidelined him for most of 2022, and while he isn’t a star, he would definitely help the Birds on the outside.
At the very least, Jackson would provide some insurance in the event of another injury.
Josey Jewell, Denver Broncos
The Eagles are currently employing second-year player Nakobe Dean at middle linebacker, and while Dean may have potential, he is just 22 years old and has been somewhat of a non-factor thus far.
Josey Jewell would be a great pickup for Philadelphia as a half-year rental. He wouldn’t cost too much in a trade, and Philly could just let him walk in the offseason if things don’t work out (or if the Eagles would prefer to roll with Dean or someone else in 2024).
As young and talented as Dean may be, Philadelphia is trying to win now, and Jewell would certainly give the squad a better chance to do that than Dean at this point.
Philly’s linebacking corps is one of the club’s weaker areas, so adding a player like Jewell would help bring some stability to the position.
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