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For the 7–2 Eagles — A Howie Roseman Aggressive Inspired Talent Acquisition Doesn’t Just Target Gaps in the Roster. It Fixes Them.
Last season — in the winter chill of a January Wild-Card Playoff Game at Lincoln Financial Field — Jaire Alexander offered a gesture to Eagles fans that was not — shall we say — exactly made out of love. Now the next chapter of Alexander’s All-Pro Career will be right here in Philly — after acquiring him in a trade with the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for a seventh-round Draft Pick in 2027 and a sixth-round Pick in 2026.
Packers at Redskins 09/23/18
Not long after the Eagles won the Super Bowl in 2018 — Alexander was selected with the 18th overall selection by the Green Bay Packers. Last June — after being released by Green Bay — Alexander signed a one-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens. Last week — another move toward that roadmap specifically in the secondary was made this week when the Eagles traded wide receiver John Metchie III and a six-round draft selection (2027) for New York Jets Cornerback Michael Carter II as well as a seventh-round pick (2027.) The addition of Carter makes the Eagles secondary one of the youngest in the NFL with Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Reid Blankenship, and rookie safety Andrew Mukuba.
The acquiring of Carter II and Alexander provide other options across from Quinyon Mitchell in addition to Jakorian Bennett, Kelee Ringo, and Adoree Jackson. It also adds some seasoned NFL experience to an otherwise extremely young NFL secondary — which will really come in handy as the Eagles face some of the best NFL receiving talent on a potential journey once again through the NFC Playoffs.
Perhaps the biggest splash before the deadline was the addition of former Miami Dolphins Edge Rusher Jaelan Phillips. In Phillips — the Eagles also get another former first-round pick from the Miami Dolphins paired along with recently un-retired Brandon Graham in exchange for a 2026 third-round Draft Pick.
Surrendering a third round pick in today’s NFL is no doubt a steep price — but acquiring Phillips prior to the deadline — deepens one of the Eagles thinest positions. The Eagles began the season with five Edge Rushers on the roster. But injuries to Azeez Ojulari, Nolan Smith, Ogbo Okoronkwo, and Moro Ojomo — coupled with the sudden retirement of Za’Darius Smith — forced the Eagles to make a move and also to bring back Graham.
Only time will tell if the Eagle’s additions of Phillips, Carter, and Alexander will send the Eagles back to the Super Bowl in February of 2026. With Super Bowl odds between +850 and +900 after the NFL Trade Deadline — the odds are looking better and better.
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