The Philadelphia Eagles were set to make their next selection with the 145th overall pick in the fifth round. There was speculation around the NFL that the Eagles had interest in Sanders as day three began on Saturday.
The Eagles greatly value the quarterback position. Backup quarterback Nick Foles helped the franchise win its first Super Bowl in 2017 after MVP favorite Carson Wentz went down with a season-ending torn ACL in a Week 14 win against the Los Angeles Rams. Most recently, the Eagles signed Wentz to a four-year, $128 million contract extension in June 2019, and then used a second-round pick on Jalen Hurts in the 2020 NFL Draft.
This offseason, the Eagles sent backup quarterback Kenny Pickett to the Cleveland Browns for quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a 2025 fifth-round pick.
With Sanders on the board one pick before the Eagles’ selection in the fifth round, many experts believed general manager Howie Roseman would pull the trigger on the young quarterback. Before that could become a reality, the Browns traded up to the 144th overall pick to select Sanders, despite drafting former Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel in the third round and acquiring quarterbacks Joe Flacco and Pickett this offseason.
Sanders was a steal at that point in the draft. He was the best available player and worth taking a chance on for any team. The Eagles would’ve gotten incredible value if Sanders had fallen to pick No. 145, but the organization and its fans should be grateful that the Browns traded up for him.
How The Browns’ Trade Up For Shedeur Sanders Impacted Eagles
The Eagles are reigning Super Bowl champions and have the talent to compete for consecutive Lombardi Trophies. Roseman and his brass weren’t necessarily drafting for need in this year’s draft, they were looking to add quality talent to add depth to the roster and develop for the future.
Sanders would’ve been an intriguing selection, but the Eagles are better off without him. Instead, the Eagles drafted the hometown kid Kyle McCord later on in the sixth round. McCord spent three years at Ohio State before transferring to Syracuse for his senior season, where he led the FBS in passing yards (4,779) and earned Second-Team All-ACC honors.
The last thing the Eagles need is any sort of quarterback controversy. The team and fans went through it with Wentz and Foles and then again with Wentz and Hurts. Adding a player like Sanders would’ve created unnecessary drama simply because of his name. Not to mention having to deal with his dad.
Hurts will continue to be the franchise quarterback in 2025 and beyond. The Eagles now have three intriguing backups in the quarterback room with Tanner McKee, Thompson-Robinson, and McCord. The City of Brotherly Love can breathe a sigh of relief.
