NFC scout drops Brandon Graham truth that makes Eagles' trade deadline imperative
Philadelphia Eagles fans are still excited that they got their legendary defensive end, Brandon Graham, back after coming out of retirement, but there is still a harsh reality that fans need to understand about him.
The trade deadline in the NFL is less than a week away, and the Eagles still have some work to do with general manager Howie Roseman looking to strike at least one more deal after trading with the New York Jets to acquire cornerback Michael Carter II. While people love seeing Graham back, one NFC scout told
"Getting Brandon [Graham] back [out of retirement] is a nice story, but he’s a part-time player who will only marginally help their pass rush," the NFC scout said. "They are getting no push off the edge and Howie knows they can’t win that way."
Eagles still have a glaring edge rusher problem
No one in Philly is in denial about the problems the team has had with edge rushers in 2025. From Nolan Smith Jr. and Ogbo Okoronkwo being placed on IR to Za'Darius Smith retiring, as well as Azeez Ojulari being hurt, it has been a bad year at the position.
The group currently has 4.5 sacks and 18 quarterback hits through eight games. Right now, the top edge rusher has been Jalyx Hunt, who has had one sack, eight quarterback hits, and a pick-six on the season.
While Graham does significantly upgrade the position, there is a lot of truth in the scout's comments that is 100% accurate. Graham is only expected to play 15-20 snaps per game and be utilized in pass-rushing situations, as he is not the hybrid edge rusher that defensive coordinator Vic Fangio prefers, who can also drop back into coverage.
There is still time for the Eagles to examine the market for a trade and could have a good option for a trade partner: the Miami Dolphins. Vacchiano shared in his same report on the Eagles that there are two names from the Dolphins to watch out for in a trade.
"Two names to keep an eye on: Dolphins edge rushers Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips, both of whom played for current Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio when he was with Miami in 2023."
Miami is coming off a 28-6 blowout loss to the Baltimore Ravens to open up Week 9 action. Now with the Dolphins sitting at 2-7 on the season, they are expected to be sellers in the trade market.
Graham is a great piece to have rather as a leader than a player, but the Eagles need to keep their foot on the pedal and get another edge rusher to round out the roster.
Stephen Jones Sends Bold Message on Cowboys’ Trade Deadline Plans
The Dallas Cowboys are all in on the 2025 NFL season. But they’ll also consider moving players off their roster to address areas of need.
Stephen Jones, the Cowboys executive vice president and CEO, addressed why the Cowboys would be considered both buyers and sellers ahead of the NFL Trade Deadline on Tuesday.
The Cowboys (3-4-1) are in second place in the NFC East and sit 2.5 games behind the first-place Philadelphia Eagles. They’re just 1.5 games back of the San Francisco 49ers for the final NFC playoff spot.
Dallas will host the Arizona Cardinals (2-5) on Monday Night Football mere hours before the 4 p.m. ET deadline.
Stephen Jones: ‘Sometimes Player For Player [Trades] Can Be Very Interesting’
The Cowboys have one of the best offenses in the NFL. They rank first in the NFL in passing-yards per game (263.8), second in yards per game (384.1) and points per game (30.8).
Yet, Dallas is middling due to its woeful defense. The Cowboys are 31st in the NFL in yards-against per game (404.6) and points-against per game (31.3) and have allowed at least 30 points in five of their eight games this season.
So Jones knows the Cowboys can use their strength on offense to potentially acquire defensive reinforcements.
“I think there’s a lot of things that go into us improving as a defense,” Jones told KTFM on Thursday. “If you can find a player that upgrades you, as I’ve always said, we’re always looking for that every year. Whether it’s by trade or whether it’s a player acquisition, it comes by a lot of shapes, forms and fashions.”
Cowboys fans may be incensed at the team’s scuffling defense, since the blockbuster Micah Parsons trade sapped the team of one of its most talented players. Still, according to Jones, there are deals to be made to improve.
“We have areas where we have depth, and sometimes player-for-player [trades] can be very interesting to us,” Jones said. “We’re also in consideration for giving up a player for us getting a pick and vice versa. It goes all ways.”
The Dallas Cowboys’ Game Against Arizona Is ‘A Big, Big Game’
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has never lost at AT&T Stadium, and Arizona has won three straight against Dallas dating back to 2020.
“What an amazing high-school career he had,” Jones said of Murray, who won three straight state championships while playing at Allen High School and also having a standout baseball career as well. “He’s just a competitor and a winner, and that’s our goal, to put that streak to an end. But I’m sure he’s going to have his competitive juices flowing coming back home to where all he won all those championships.”
Yet, the Cardinals have been struggling with five straight losses despite their minus-1 point differential. If the Cowboys have any illusions of making the playoffs in the much-improved NFC, Jones knows they’ll need to win at home — where they are 2-0-1 despite averaging 33 points per game.
“It’d be huge for us to get a win,” Jones said. “It’s a big, big game. I know it’s a big game for the Cardinals, but it’s a huge game for us as well.”
