The Philadelphia Eagles popped up in NFL trade rumors this weekend by making edge rushers Josh Sweat and Haason Reddick. available. While both players are receiving significant interest, Sweat seems to be the player in higher demand right now.
Selected with the 130th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Sweat is one of the latest success stories for the Eagles’ player development program. Viewed as an unfinished pass rusher out of Florida State entering the league, he’s developed into one of the more underrated defensive players in the NFL today.
- Josh Sweat stats (2022-’23): 46 quarterback hits, 22 tackles for loss, 17.5 sacks
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While Sweat is entering the final year of his deal and hasn’t made the Pro Bowl since the 2021 season, he remains highly regarded around the league. At a time when ascending edge rushers are moved relatively frequently, there already seems to be a gauge on what a deal might look like.
The Ringer’s Sheil Kapadia, who covers the team, cited recent comparisons to Montez Sweat and Bradley Chubb. The Washington Commanders traded Sweat to the Chicago Bears for the 40th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, when Sweat was playing in a contract year.
- Josh Sweat contract: $9.077 million cap hit in 2024
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As for Chubb, who was traded to the Miami Dolphins in 2022, the Denver Broncos received a first-round pick in exchange for the edge rusher. Kapadoa thinks Sweat’s trade value is higher than Reddick’s and the likely asking price could be a first-round pick.
While Sweat was only credited with 6.5 sacks last season, he ranked 14th among edge rushers in ESPN pass-rush win rate (20 percent). It’s a similar rate to Carolina Panthers edge rusher Brian Burns (21 percent), but Sweat faced a higher double-team rate (16 percent vs 14 percent) than Burns.
Philadelphia seems prepared to move on from one of its pass rushers. However, the expectation is that 2023 first-round pick Nolan Smith is ready to become a key player on the Eagles’ defense next season and general manager Howie Roseman could now use a top pick in 2024 on an edge rusher.
