Will Sam Bradford go to Denver?

Rumors swirl and manifest themselves leading up to the NFL Draft, and continue until Mr. Irrelevant is called with the final selection of the seventh round.  The reveal of the franchise quarterback at pick #2 is exciting; the overall consensus is Carson Wentz from North Dakota State.

With the Eagles next selection not until mid-third round, the focus will likely turn to the possibility of Sam Bradford being traded, with the landing spot being the Denver Broncos.

Howie Roseman must weigh the pros and cons of retaining Sam Bradford.  The Eagles are not going to receive the type of draft pick compensation that the Bengals received for trading Carson Palmer (a 1^st round pick 2012/2^nd round pick 2013) to the Raiders.   It’s unrealistic to expect a package close to the Alex Smith trade,  49ers traded Alex Smith the Kansas City Chiefs for a 2013 2^nd round pick and a 2014 conditional 3^rd round pick (became a 2^nd round pick).  I’d be perfectly fine with a Kevin Kolb like return, where the Eagles received a starting cornerback (Rodgers-Cromartie) plus a 2012 2nd round pick, but I think that’s far from what the Broncos would be willing to part with.

So what is realistic to expect, and why should the Eagles makes the trade if the compensation is below market value for what starting quarterbacks have generated in past trades?

Doug Pederson is a rookie head coach and he sounds every part of it.  Strictly based off his interviews to date with the local media, and how honest he has been with sharing his thoughts and feelings, the daily distraction of keeping Sam Bradford on the roster could completely derail the start of his tenure in Philadelphia.  This by no means would be the sole reason for why Howie Roseman needs to swallow his pride and make a deal that may come with criticism after the high praise for all of the offseason wheeling and dealing.

The Eagles need to make their focus about the team, about the rookie franchise quarterback, and what they are going to do with the stop gap quarterback Sam Bradford.

Why was Bradford signed to a short term deal is not a difficult question.  Bradford was the best starting quarterback options for the Eagles in 2016 and allows the rookie quarterback to sit and learn.  Bradford will keep the Eagles competitive, which means the chance for a playoff appearance in a shaky NFC East.

Would the Eagles not benefit from two starting players in a deal with the Broncos?  A player like Bradley Roby (CB) was mentioned by Adam Schefter as a name that could interest the Eagles and persuade a possible Bradford deal.  The Eagles need young starting cornerbacks, Roby is a former first round pick who current Eagles secondary coach Cory Undlin is familiar with.  If the Broncos offered Roby; and a 3rd round pick in 2016 and a conditional 3rd round pick in 2017, the Eagles would be wise to make that deal.

Is it best for the Eagles to “hold” their ground with Bradford, prove to the former first round pick that you don’t try to talk your way out of Philadelphia by demanding a trade?  Would a starting cornerback and two mid round selections be enough to settle on Chase Daniels being the 2016 starting quarterback with the possibility that the rookie may see some late season action similar to when McNabb took over for Pederson?

As much as I’d like for the Eagles to “accept” the best offer the Broncos are willing to make for Bradford, I don’t see Howie Roseman giving in.

If Sam Bradford feels like he has had to test scrutiny so far in his NFL career as the former first overall pick, that feeling is nothing for what is coming when “demanding” a trade in a city like Philadelphia.