PHILADELPHIA — With the trade deadline looming just one week from Tuesday, the Eagles are looking around for help in the secondary.
Among names on the shopping list are Justin Simmons, Budda Baker, Kevin Byard and Kyle Duggar, according to various reports and buzz. It’s next to impossible to discern who is at the top of the list as the Eagles typically play their moves close to the vest.
But according to various sources, Simmons, the hard-working safety with the Denver Broncos, would be a solid catch if the Eagles wanted to offer reasonable compensation.
Simmons, who turns 30 next month, has 28 interceptions in an eight-year career that began when the Broncos took him off the board in the third round of the 2016 draft. He has the option year left on his rookie contract and judging by the challenges in Denver, might be amenable to working out an extension with a winning team. The Broncos have had just one winning season over the last seven, that in 2016.
Baker, a 27-year-old safety, was pretty active in his return from a hamstring issue Sunday as he registered a team-high six stops for the Arizona Cardinals in a 20-10 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
However, Baker, 27, has a big contract and after requesting a trade or a raise received a $300,000 signing bonus, per ESPN, and can earn up to $2.4 million in bonuses on his pact. Then again, the Cardinals are 1-6.
Baker has seven interceptions in six seasons and counting.
Byard (5-11, 212) has 27 interceptions in eight seasons with the Titans (2-4), who selected him in the third round of the 2016 draft. Having just turned 30 years old, Byard was born in Philadelphia.
The New England Patriots (2-5) were said to be listening to offers for Kyle Dugger (6-2, 222), who has seven interceptions in four seasons. A second-round pick out of Lenoir-Rhyne, Dugger is in a contract year. He turned down an extension and the Patriots want him to stick around, but you know Bill Belichick likes to get rid of players before they’ve run out of trade value.
Safety/big nickel Jeremy Chinn of the Carolina Panthers (0-6) was another guy who would help the Eagles until he recently injured an oblique.
Then there is cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. (5-10, 180), who was the 47th overall pick in the 2021 draft. His father Asante intercepted 23 passes for the Eagles from 2008-11, taking two of those picks to the house.
Samuel Jr. has six interceptions in three seasons spanning 35 games, with 32 starts for the fading Chargers, now 2-4. His contract runs through 2024.
The Eagles have plenty of draft picks, including two second rounders and likely a third-round compensatory pick or two. The Birds figure to have up to six selections on the third day of the draft, including four in the fifth round.
The Eagles also have players they could deal. Wide receiver Quez Watkins is a deep threat, and offensive lineman Jack Driscoll and tight end Grant Calcaterra are tradable.
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The Eagles scratched safety Reed Blankenship (ribs), cornerback Bradley Roby (pectoral), quarterback Tanner McKee, running back Rashaad Penny, linebacker Patrick Johnson, defensive tackle Moro Ojomo and tight end Albert Okwuegbunam.
Cornerback Mekhi Garner and Julio Jones were promoted from the practice squad to the active roster.
The Dolphins scratched veteran cornerback Xavien Howard, offensive lineman Connor Williams, quarterback Skylar Thompson, cornerback Kelvin Joseph and tight end Tyler Kroft.
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NOTES >> Phillies slugger Nick Castellanos and his son, Liam, saluted the Eagles from their seats at the Linc Sunday night. … Jeremy White, the son of the late, great Reggie White, was honorary captain for the game. The resemblance to his old man is incredible. … The Lincoln University choir sang the national anthem Sunday night. Great job. … The Dolphins lost left guard Issiah Wynn to a leg injury on their first series. Wynn was stepped on by his own teammate on an unsuccessful third down play. The Dolphins scratched their starting center due to injury. … Haason Reddick recorded an early sack Sunday, extending his streak to four straight games with a sack. … In the first half Dolphins receiver Jaylen Waddle exited with a back injury. … In the second quarter Eagles rookie Nolan Smith dropped Tua Tagovailoa for his first NFL sack.
Source: Berkshire mont
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