Eagles Trade Proposal Adds 26-Year-Old Elite Edge From Struggling AFC Squad
The Philadelphia Eagles don’t have a pass-rush problem per se, but Vic Fangio’s defensive front has lost some of its bite, with injuries hitting the rotation hard.
Through five games, Philly’s defense has amassed just seven sacks, which is tied for the third-lowest total in the league. Now coming off their first loss of the season, the Eagles have just over three weeks to explore the trade market before the deadline hits on November 4.
Considering how things are going in New York with the 0-5 Jets right now, it wouldn’t hurt Eagles GM Howie Roseman to give them a call about a trade for Will McDonald. The second-year edge rusher wouldn’t be cheap, but he’d be an absolute game-changer for an Eagles defense who could really use a boost from its DEs.
McDonald, the Jets’ 2023 first-rounder, has traits for days: He’s 6-foot-4, 245 pounds, with long arms and a freakish ability to turn into Gumby when he’s getting blocked. The Jets very likely want to keep him, but they may be having a fire sale very soon. That alone should get Roseman on the line.
Why the Philadelphia Eagles Should Try to Trade for NY Jets DE Will McDonald
McDonald’s rookie season was quiet. He finished with 3.0 sacks, a forced fumble and five QB hits in 15 games (no starts), but he had a breakthrough the following year in 2024. Last season, he had 10.5 sacks, 11 tackles-for-loss, two forced fumbles and 24 QB hits in 17 games (15 starts). Through the first five weeks of 2025, he’s got 2.0 sacks.
His contract makes him even more attractive. McDonald is locked into a rookie deal through 2026, and the Jets still controls his fifth-year option for 2027. With the Eagles already doling out big-money deals to Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown and others, he’d be an ideal addition, as he has cap hits of $4.5 million and $5 million in 2025 and 2026, respectively.
The Eagles also really need a tone-setter right now. Nolan Smith is on injured reserve, Ogbo Okoronkwo has struggled to stay healthy and Azeez Ojulari is fairly average. Bryce Huff — last year’s big swing and miss — was dealt to the 49ers in June.
From a fit standpoint, McDonald feels like he was built for Fangio’s scheme. He can play wide and win fast, and he’d force other teams to game-plan for his mere presence. With Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis collapsing the middle, McDonald could fly off the edge.
What Might a Trade Like This Cost the Eagles?
There’s no question that a talent like McDonald would come at a price. Recent trades that could be comparable include Montez Sweat costing a second-rounder and Brian Burns bringing back a second and fifth before signing long-term. McDonald is younger, cheaper and under control for multiple seasons, so the Jets won’t let him go for a Day 2 pick.
A realistic offer might look like this: Philadelphia sends a 2026 second-round pick plus a conditional 2027 third that would escalate to a second if McDonald logs 8.0 sacks or plays 60% of the team’s defensive snaps over the next two seasons. That structure would protects the Eagles and still gives the Jets some solid compensation.
Heading into Week 6, the NFC remains wide open. Roseman has made a career out of making moves few saw coming, and this would certainly qualify. Whether it’s McDonald or someone else, though, the Eagles should address their needs on the edge, stat.
Commanders predicted to trade for 351-yard RB as Jacory Croskey-Merritt running mate
The Washington Commanders are riding high at the running back position entering Week 6 after rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt posted a career-best outing.
In Week 5, the running back also know as "Bill" finally saw an increased workload and turned his 16 touches into 150 scrimmage yards (111 rushing) and two scores.
While JCM is ascending, it wouldn't hurt for the Commanders to explore options for a trade to improve their backfield situation further to add a bit more insurance and help take more of the load off star quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Currently, Washington has Chris Rodriguez and Jeremy McNichols as backups after Austin Ekeler went down with a season-ending torn Achilles injury.
One player we'd love to see the Commanders target is New York Jets running back Breece Hall, who was recently predicted to land in Washington via trade by Pro Football & Sports Network's Josh Weil.
Here's the prediction Weil makes:
- Commanders get: RB Breece Hall
- Jets get: fourth-round pick
"Having a two-headed monster like this will both lower the workload of Croskey-Merritt and bring a hungry player with free agency looming to get his first taste of playoff football. Hall takes this offense to a level that can help them execute even more consistently, and make them a real threat to the Eagles’ hold on the division crown," Weil wrote.
The Jets are going nowhere fast at 0-5, so New York will likely be looking to sell off players who are in the final year of their contracts. Hall qualifies as one of those players as he plays out the last year of his rookie contract.
Hall is off to an impressive start to the season despite the Jets' struggles. The former second-round pick is up to 351 yards on the ground and 150 yards through the air. That puts him on pace for 1,193 rushing yards and 510 receiving yards.
Adding an explosive playmaker like Hall will only improve the Commanders' offense, and he'd offer a top-notch receiving threat out of the backfield for a Washington team looks hesitant to give Croskey-Merritt a lot of work in that area.
For the price of a fourth-round pick, the Commanders would be wise to bet on the upside of having Hall on the team. He has the potential to give Washington a dynamic one-two punch that could take the team's offense to another level.
