As the Philadelphia Eagles prepare for the 2024 NFL season, they look pretty strong overall. But there’s one spot that still needs some help: the third wide receiver (WR3) position.
Even though a few players, such as Parris Campbell, John Ross III, Johnny Wilson, and Britain Covey, have been trying to lock down that spot during training camp, none of them have really stood out.
With so much on the line this season, the Eagles, led by GM Howie Roseman, might look to make a trade to fill this important role.
Roseman has a history of making smart moves late in the preseason, usually around the end of August or early September.
With that in mind, here are three trade ideas that could make sense for the Eagles as they look to improve their wide receiver group.
One trade option is sending offensive lineman Tyler Steen to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for wide receiver Alec Pierce.
Pierce, who was picked in the second round in 2022, has shown some promise with 73 catches for 1,107 yards and 4 touchdowns in his first two seasons.
Even with limited opportunities with the Colts in 2023, Pierce showcased a great mix of size and athleticism, averaging 15.2 yards per catch.
Despite running 605 routes—one of the highest in the NFL—Pierce was only targeted 65 times, catching 32 passes for 514 yards and two touchdowns.
And this situation is similar to what Quez Watkins faced with the Eagles last season, though Pierce arguably made more of his chances.
For the Colts, adding Steen could be a win. Steen, who lost the battle for the starting right guard spot to Mekhi Becton, could potentially be an upgrade over their current right guard, Will Fries.
Fries is in the final year of his contract, and Steen could offer the Colts a valuable long-term option on the offensive line.
With the Colts drafting wide receiver Adonai Mitchell in the second round of the 2024 draft, Pierce might end up as their WR4, making this trade make sense for both teams.
Another possible trade could be for the Eagles to send cornerback Eli Ricks to the Houston Texans in exchange for veteran wide receiver Robert Woods.
The Eagles need a solid WR3, and Woods, despite being 32 and nearing the end of his career, could temporarily fill that role.
Undeniably, Woods is a reliable and experienced player who can perform both inside and outside, giving the Eagles time to develop younger receivers like Johnny Wilson and Ainias Smith.
From the Texans’ side, Ricks might not make the Eagles’ roster, but he’s shown enough potential to attract some interest.
The Texans made the playoffs in 2024, so they have a low priority for waivers, which could make it tough to claim Ricks if he were cut. All in all, they need more depth at cornerback, and Ricks could help with that.
Meanwhile, the Texans are pretty loaded at wide receiver and might not have a starting role for Woods, especially given his $6.25 million salary. Also, moving Woods could help them free up some cash, making them more willing to make the trade.
Lastly, the Eagles might consider trading a fifth-round pick in the 2025 draft to the Los Angeles Chargers for wide receiver Quentin Johnston. Sure, Johnston was a first-round pick in 2023, but he didn’t have the best rookie season.
With the Chargers changing their GM and head coach, Johnston has now slipped down the depth chart, projected as the WR4 behind Josh Palmer, DJ Chark, and rookie Ladd McConkey.
Not to mention, the Chargers also picked up two other receivers, Brendan Rice and Cornelius Johnson, later in the draft, making it even tougher for Johnston to get playing time.
For the Eagles, picking up Johnston could be another one of Howie Roseman’s classic reclamation projects.
Currently, the Eagles have nine picks in the 2025 draft, including an extra fifth-rounder, which might be enough to convince the Chargers to let go of Johnston.
Adding a talented receiver like Johnston, who still has a lot of potential despite a slow start, could be a wise move as the Eagles work to strengthen their offense.
With the season opener against the Green Bay Packers in Brazil just around the corner, the Eagles’ search for a WR3 is something to watch closely.
ESPN’s Tim McManus recently mentioned that it “seems likely” the Eagles will make a move to add a receiver before Week 1. And this fits with Roseman’s aggressive approach to building the roster and the team’s win-now mindset.
A trade for a solid WR3 could give quarterback Jalen Hurts another reliable target, making the offense even more dangerous and setting the team up for another deep playoff run.
As the countdown to the season continues, Eagles fans should stay on the lookout for any trade news.
Roseman has a knack for making big moves when the timing is right, and this year is likely no different.
If the opportunity arises, the Eagles will probably make a move to improve their wide receiver lineup, and they’re fully prepared for the challenges of the 2024 NFL season.
