According to ESPN, Eagles are the winners of the recent trade
12 August 2017 Eagles News
The dust has settled and we can finally start to really break down the trade that went down yesterday.
If you live under a rock and do not know that the Eagles traded wide receiver Jordan Matthews and a 2018 3rd round pick (conditional) to the Buffalo Bills for Ronald Darby. At first, fans seemed divided over this move, but looking back on it, it was the right move.
In fact, according to ESPN’s Bill Barnwell, the Eagles were the winners of the deal.
“Philadelphia was looking downright bereft at cornerback for the second consecutive season, having cycled again through middling veterans while using second- and third-round picks on Sidney Jones and Rasul Douglas, the former of whom is likely to miss a chunk of the 2017 season after rupturing his Achilles at his pro day. While the Eagles had long-term hope at the position, this is a team that should be capable of competing as early as this season. Cornerback was their biggest weakness.”
“Now they have a promising option in both the short term and long term in Darby, who was stunningly effective during his debut season in Buffalo before slipping badly last season. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz has done excellent work with undersized corners in years past, notably launching Cortland Finnegan’s career in Tennessee. It’s too early to suggest Darby’s a reclamation project, but dealing a wide receiver the Eagles were unlikely to sign for a likely starter at cornerback is a totally logical move, even if it did hurt to give up a third-round pick in the process.”
When you think about it, he is absolutely right. The Eagles could not go into the season with question marks at the cornerback position. By acquiring Darby, they have a starting cornerback in the NFL with the potential to become a lockdown cornerback in the NFL.
Giving up Matthews is a tough move, but unfortunately, emotions are not involved in these business/football decisions. When you put it into perspective, would you rather go another year with question marks at cornerback or trade a player with one year left on his deal for a very good cornerback?
I think the choice is obvious and obviously, the Eagles thought the same. The money Matthews is going to demand in free agency is too much for the Eagles. Kenny Stills just received a 4yr, $32 million deal and Matthews should get the same, if not more. With Alshon Jeffery due to get paid next season as well, it looks like the Eagles priorities are at signing Jeffery long term rather than Matthews.
This one is hard to swallow, but it is the right move. Darby is going to really strengthen the Eagles secondary and at the same time, he will give the Eagles cornerbacks hope. The mere thought of a Darby and Sidney Jones duo will give Eagles fans enjoyment. But, for now, think about the team in its current state and right now with Darby on the team, they are in a much better place than the day before.
Ryan Neal Jordan Matthews, Philadelphia Eagles, Ronald Darby