There are many benefits to teams holding joint practices, and as the Eagles found out in 2017, those benefits extend to the front office as well.
The Eagles front office got a good look at running back Jay Ajayi in 2017 when the Miami Dolphins practiced at the NovaCare Complex for two days in August. They didn't make a deal for the running back then, but later that season they pulled off a deal for Ajayi prior to the trade deadline. Ajayi, of course, played a role in helping the team win their first Super Bowl.
The Eagles front office will be doing the same kind of scouting this week when they head to New Jersey for two days of joint practices with the Jets.
Increasing the chances a deal happens between the two teams is that Joe Douglas, who worked for the Eagles from 2016 to 2019, is still the Jets general manager. Douglas is very familiar with the Eagles' roster and his relationship with Howie Roseman could increase the chances a deal gets done.
Add in the fact the Jets are looking for pass rushers — a position the Eagles are deep at — and there could be a deal to be made this week between the two teams.
Who could the Eagles target?
Taking into account the team's needs (receiver, cornerback depth) and the positions the Jets are deep at (none), here are two players that could be changing teams this week:
Denzel Mims, WR: The fact that Mims, 6-foot-3, 207 pounds, could already be on the move is a sign of just how bad his first year with the Jets went. Mims, a second-round pick, played in only nine games, pulling in 23 catches and no touchdowns. As a result there are now rumors circulating that the Jets could move on from him, either by trading him or outright cutting him.
Taking a flyer on Mims would make sense for the Eagles. Mims is an elite athlete for the position, as his outstanding showing at the NFL Combine last year helped launch him up team's draft boards. Although he caught only 23 passes last season he did average 15.5 yards-per-catch, an impressive number considering he had Sam Darnold throwing to him and Adam Gase as his head coach.
The Eagles starting receivers seem to be set — DeVonta Smith, Jalen Reagor and Quez Watkins — but not much is decided after that. Taking a chance on Mims developing into a starting quality player might be a better bet than counting on either Travis Fulgham or J.J. Arcega-Whiteside.
Lamarcus Joyner, S: A position that the team is thin at but isn't getting enough attention is safety. Yes, they have Anthony Harris, but after that they don't have another player they can count on until Rodney McLeod is health — and even then it is fair to wonder how he will look coming off of a serious injury.
If the season started today they would likely be playing Marcus Epps next to Harris, with either Andrew Adams or Elijah Riley as the top backup.
Joyner signed a one-year deal with the Jets this offseason, but doesn't seem to be in line to start. The seven-year veteran has played all over the field during his time with three different teams, including cornerback, strong safety, free safety and even some time in a linebacker-type role.
Joyner checks off two major boxes for the Eagles. He has versatility in the secondary and has experience — two things they desperately need.
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
