A seasoned sports analyst, I’ve seen my fair share of draft-day moves—some brilliant, others baffling. So when I read Pro Football Focus analyst Mason Cameron’s recent proposal that the Eagles should trade up from No. 32 to the Minnesota Vikings’ No. 24 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, I couldn’t help but shake my head. Cameron’s plan, which involves sending picks Nos. 32, 96, and 161 to Minnesota, is meant to address our edge rusher need after losing Josh Sweat to the Arizona Cardinals and Brandon Graham to retirement. But as much as I bleed green, I believe this trade is a risky overreach that could cost the Eagles more than it gains. Let me break down why staying put—or even trading back—makes more sense for Philly.
The Edge Rusher Need Is Real, But No. 24 Isn’t the Answer
Cameron’s argument hinges on the Eagles’ need for a new edge rusher to replace Sweat and Graham, and I get it—our pass rush took a hit with those losses. Sweat was a consistent force, and Graham’s leadership and clutch plays were invaluable. But trading up to No. 24 to grab an edge rusher in this draft feels like a panic move. The 2025 class is projected to be deep at the position, with talents like Penn State’s Abdul Carter, Texas A&M’s Nic Scourton, and Florida State’s Patrick Payton likely available around the late first or early second round. Moving up eight spots to secure one of these players means giving up valuable draft capital—picks Nos. 96 and 161—that could be used to address other needs, like cornerback or offensive line depth.
Let’s not forget: the Eagles already have Nolan Smith, a 2023 first-rounder, who’s poised for a breakout year, and Bryce Huff, who showed flashes of brilliance last season. Trading up for another edge rusher risks overcrowding the position while neglecting other areas of the roster. As a fan, I’d rather see GM Howie Roseman trust in his young talent and use the draft’s depth to our advantage by staying at No. 32 or even trading back for more picks.
The Cost of Trading Up Outweighs the Reward
Cameron’s trade proposal might seem like a small price to pay—moving up eight spots for the cost of a third- and fifth-round pick—but in a draft as deep as 2025’s, those mid-round picks are gold. The Eagles have a history of finding gems in the third round, like Brandon Graham himself (2010) and more recently, Nakobe Dean (2022). Giving up No. 96 could mean missing out on a future starter at a position of need, like a developmental offensive tackle to protect Jalen Hurts or a corner to bolster our secondary. And let’s be real: the difference between the edge rusher available at No. 24 and the one at No. 32 isn’t likely to be a game-changer. According to Pro Football Focus’s 2024 draft data, the drop-off in edge rusher talent from the mid-20s to the early 30s is minimal—think a 5-10% difference in pass-rush win rate. Is that worth sacrificing two picks? I don’t think so.
The Vikings Have the Leverage—And We Shouldn’t Play Their Game
Here’s where Cameron’s proposal really falls apart: the Vikings hold all the cards at No. 24. If they’re as desperate for picks as Cameron suggests—having only two top-100 selections—they’re not going to settle for a modest package like Nos. 32, 96, and 161. They’ll likely demand more, especially if other teams (like the Titans, as Cameron notes) are also looking to trade up. As an Eagles fan, I don’t want to see Howie Roseman get fleeced in a bidding war for a pick that might not even yield a transformative player. We’ve seen Howie work his magic in the draft before—think of the 2022 trade for A.J. Brown or the 2023 move to snag Jalen Carter. He’s at his best when he’s patient, not when he’s overpaying to move up for a position we can address later.
Depth Matters More Than a Single Splash
The Eagles’ 2024 season showed us one thing: depth is everything. Injuries to key players like Lane Johnson and Darius Slay exposed our lack of reliable backups, and our playoff loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers highlighted the need for more playmakers across the board. Trading up to No. 24 means sacrificing picks that could be used to build that depth. Imagine using Nos. 96 and 161 to draft a versatile linebacker or a speedy slot receiver to complement DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown. Or better yet, what if we trade back from No. 32 and acquire additional picks to address multiple needs? The 2025 draft is a goldmine for teams that play the long game, and as a fan, I’d rather see the Eagles stockpile talent than chase a single edge rusher who might not even start right away.
Trust in Howie and the Process
At the end of the day, my biggest issue with Cameron’s proposal is that it underestimates the Eagles’ front office. Howie Roseman has a proven track record of draft-day wizardry, and I trust him to find an edge rusher without mortgaging our future. Whether it’s staying at No. 32 to draft a guy like Nic Scourton or trading back to accumulate more picks, there a
