In the 2020 season finale, many Eagles fans can recall Doug Pederson benching Jalen Hurts for Nate Sudfeld and effectively tanking the game intentionally. The move caused a firestorm of controversy and media outlets like ESPN try to shame the Eagles for the move. However, that loss has potentially flipped the team's fortune around thanks to draft slots and additional trades from Howie Roseman.
The loss put the Eagles at 4-11-1 and allowed them to hold the 6th overall pick. If they would have won the season finale, they would have had a record of 5-10-1 and would have given them the 10th overall pick. The Eagles ultimately would have ended up with DeVonta Smith at 10th overall anyway, but the loss also allowed them to acquire Miami's 2022 1st-round pick since the Dolphins traded up to 6th overall for Jaylen Waddle.
The exact trade was that Philadelphia traded its first- and fifth-round selections (6th and 156th overall) to Miami in exchange for first-and fourth-round selections (12th and 123rd overall), and a 2022 first-round selection. The Eagles also had to trade with the Cowboys to move up to acquire DeVonta Smith.
Here's a full breakdown of the two trades and their results so far:
EAGLES GET:
No. 10 overall (DeVonta Smith)
No. 123 overall (Zech McPhearson)
Miami 2022 first-round pick (15th overall)
EAGLES LOSE:
No. 6 overall (Jaylen Waddle)
No. 84 overall (traded to Dallas Cowboys to move up for Smith; Cowboys selected Chauncey Golston)
No. 156 overall (Miami traded it to Pittsburgh for a 2022 fourth-round pick; Steelers selected Isaiahh Loudermilk)
As of now the trade has turned out pretty even, but whoever the Eagles use the 15th pick on will determine if these moves are a wash or if Howie Roseman hit a home run.
