The question isn’t if the Eagles need Seattle Seahawks receiver D.K. Metcalf. Of course they do. Receiver is one of the biggest needs on the roster and Metcalf is one of the best in the league.
The question whether they will have a chance to trade for Metcalf, and if they do, if they would pay what it takes — both in trade capital and money — to land him.
According to a new report, if they are willing to overpay, the Eagles could have a chance to Metcalf.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler is reporting that despite the Seahawks saying publicly they won’t trade Metcalf, league executive believe that they would move the No. 1 receiver for the right price.
The Seahawks trading Metcalf is, of course, the right move. They are entering a rebuild after trading Russell Wilson this offseason to the Denver Broncos. Starting their rebuild by giving Metcalf a huge contract isn’t a smart move. The smart move would be trading Metcalf for a treasure chest of draft picks.
That is where the Eagles could step in.
Armed with No. 15, No. 16 and No. 19 in the 2022 NFL Draft, no team is better armed to make a move for Metcalf than the Eagles. They match what the Miami Dolphins gave up for Tyreek Hill — a 2022 1st, 2nd and 4th, plus a 4th and 6th in 2023 — and still have two picks in first two rounds. There is no denying that is a big package of picks to trade, but with what receivers are being moved for these days, that is likely going to be the price. Not many teams can withstand giving up that many picks. The Eagles can.
Financially, the Eagles can pay Metcalf, and he will be looking for a new deal. Metcalf is entering the final year of his contract and his presumed desire for a new deal is why he could be moved. With what receivers are being paid right now Metcalf is correct to try to cash in. Tyreek Hill just signed a five-year, $120 million contract (around $70 million guaranteed) and Metcalf will be looking for something similar.
The Eagles can afford to pay Metcalf that kind of money if they want. Hill has a cap hit of just over $6 million this year despite the deal having a much higher average per year. If anyone can figure out how to take a big contract and fit it under the cap, it is Howie Roseman and the Eagles’ front office. If they want to pay Metcalf, they have the space and money to do so.
Add everything up and it pretty much comes down to this -- if the Eagles decide they want to overpay for Metcalf, they can do it.
Just because they can, however, doesn’t mean they will.
It would be very surprising if the Eagles pulled off a deal for Metcalf. Despite trying to land a top receiver this offseason, the Eagles have to a certain extent been shopping in the bargain bin for receivers. They tried to capitalize on Calvin Ridley’s stock being low following a down 2021 season. They were interested in Christian Kirk until the price got too high. The same goes for Allen Robinson. The money those two got is nothing compared to what Metcalf will get.
With so many top receivers changing teams both this offseason and in past years, the Eagles’ message has been pretty clear — they will not be paying premium prices for a position they don’t view in the same ball park as quarterbacks, tackles or edge rushers. If they were, they would have made a move for one of the many receivers that have changed teams.
So yes, the Eagles could use Metcalf. Yes, they can afford him. Yes, they have the picks to make a deal happen.
But no, despite what Eagles fans want, they will not be trading for Metcalf.
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com