Does Philadelphia hold the key to the draft?

by Dan Kadar on Feb 12, 2010 6:18 PM EST in 2010 NFL Draft

Depending on which media person you listen to, your favorite team just might be going after one of the quarterbacks from the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Eagles currently have Donovan McNabb, Kevin Kolb and Michael Vick on their roster. Each is, arguably, a starter in the NFL. Given that, from the point of view of the Eagles, the price for their signal callers could be going up.

Let's first talk about Vick. The Eagles are expected to cut Vick, who is due $5 million this year if he stays on their roster. The most consistent landing place for Vick has been Buffalo and St. Louis. Both clearly need quarterback help and both have top 10 picks in the draft – St. Louis is first and Buffalo ninth.

Just about every offseason McNabb's name has come up in trade rumors. But somehow, McNabb never gets moved. Maybe this offseason will be different. The rumored suitors for McNabb's services are Cleveland, Denver, Arizona, Minnesota (should Brett Favre stay retired), St. Louis and Buffalo.

The reported asking price for McNabb is a first-round pick. That might be too much to ask for a quarterback who is considered an old 33.

Each of the six above teams have also been connected to Kevin Kolb, the 36th pick of the 2007 draft. In limited duty, he's played pretty well. The idea is that the asking price for Kolb would be higher than that of McNabb. However, after Matt Cassel's moderate struggles in Kansas City last season, how big of a risk are teams willing to take on someone only slightly proven?

Kolb being moved to Cleveland, Buffalo, St. Louis would be especially hard to see since they don't have the best offensive weapons. The same could be said for Denver if wide receiver Brandon Marshall is moved, which is expected.

Philadelphia has even reportedly offered Kolb a contract extension. Or perhaps they didn't. They may even try to bring both Kolb and McNabb back. But if you're Kolb, do you want to continue being a backup? And if you're McNabb, do you want to keep looking over your shoulder?

This is all starting to get confusing, isn't it? McNabb might be too old. Kolb might be too much of a risk. Vick might not even be a quarterback. What does this mean exactly?

It means that Philadelphia may not be getting exactly what they want. But whatever they do, it will have a great affect on the draft.

Comment: Tell me, what exactly are players like McNabb and Kolb reasonably worth in a trade? And how much of a risk would a team be taking by trading for either?

Tweet Comment 35 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

trading QB's for Draft Picks

If Cassel was worth a high 2, Kolb should be a late 1. McNabb is definately a 1.

Andy Reid is following Ron Wolf’s formula from Green Bay relating to stockpiling QB’s then trading them away. He better not settle for sub par value in return like Wolf did. He was always so worried about a forrmer QB staying in the conference and haunting them so Wolf wouldn’t receive proper compensation especially for a QB. It started with Mark Brunell going to Jax for a 3 (with the career he had it should’ve been a 1).

Matt Hasselbeck was traded in order to move up in the draft in order to take Jamal Reynolds in 2001 at 10 overall along with their 1st (17th). Definately should’ve got more than that.

by DEFC-0 on Feb 12, 2010 7:06 PM EST reply actions

let me know exactly...

what Kevin Kolb did that made him more valuable then Matt Cassel?

McNabb maybe, he’s not all that young you know. He could get a first from someone like Minnesota if Faverer doesn’t come back. Maybe the Cardinals really don’t think giving Leinart a chance is worth more then their first rounder for McNabb?

I dunno about “definitely” a first tho.

Also the fact that Green Bay was able to move up from #17 to #10 while including Matt Hasselback, the former 6th rounder who was all of 13/29 in 2 seasons…is a small miracle.

Bye, AP :(

by FreeBradshaw on Feb 12, 2010 7:48 PM EST up reply actions

c'mon

you know Mcnabb is worth maybe a late 1st to early 2nd,he still performs at a high level…. The issue on Kolb is that he’s been trained for 3 years, in what some people call “the purest WCO in the league” and when he got a heads up to start he played extremely well, for someone like minesota, who’s team is set up to win NOW, mcnabb could be worth their first, as for Kold, you are simply getting what you would look for in the draft, without much of the adjustment period and with much less of the risk..

by McMuffin on Feb 13, 2010 6:15 AM EST up reply actions

McNabb's not young

Yea..he performed great last year so Minny, with Brad Childress there…would probably give up a first.

But Minny may be the only one.

Kolb could be trained for 8 years, he’s only on the field for a couple games. He played well…but I wonder if anyone’s as dumb as Miami a few years ago with the Jay Feely situation?

Cassel netted a 2nd, he played a full season and played well. A whole lot better then Kolb.

You Eagles fans think you can get a 3rd round pick for Mike Vick…which is an absolute joke.

Bye, AP :(

by FreeBradshaw on Feb 13, 2010 7:47 AM EST up reply actions

I’m not going to disagree with you on any of your major points. In fact, I think you’re right about a 3rd for Vick being out of the question. The only way that happens is if people start bidding him up.

But, we all talk about the Cassel to Kolb comparisons, but what about the trade that happened for Matt Schaub who was Vick’s backup for years. He saw only limited duty for a couple years. He was widely talked up as being a starter-quality quarterback but nobody really knew anything about him. He was also a third-rounder. I’m not saying Kolb is going to be the next Matt Schaub or anything, but this sort of thing has happened and if a team was willing to give up two 2nd’s for Schaub, they might also be willing to give up a low first for Kolb.

Let the beasting begin.

by TransplantedFan on Feb 16, 2010 1:33 PM EST up reply actions

No one is nuts enough to give up a first round pick for McNabb

He will be 34 next year. I would be surprised if Philly gets a third round pick for him. Kolb might get a late two. He has only played a few games, right?

by NorthLeft12 on Feb 12, 2010 10:28 PM EST up reply actions

It would make a ton of sense for the Vikes to give up a 1 for McNabb.

by JimmyK on Feb 13, 2010 9:21 AM EST up reply actions

cassel's value

Cassel was worth a 2nd because KC took Vrabel’s contract, clearing cap space for NE.

by ct17 on Feb 13, 2010 3:57 PM EST up reply actions

Also he was franchised by NE

So he was due about 17 million for 2009.

I'm not drunk I'm just drinking.

by no1pipelayer on Feb 13, 2010 7:49 PM EST up reply actions

Denver has already squashed their part in McNabb rumours.

"All by their heads, he places crowns."

Matt Prater, pre-2009 season: Despised, lambasted, Josh McDaniels is derided for not replacing him.
Matt Prater, post-2009 season: Loved, praised, everone forgets the time when they called Josh McDaniels an idiot for not replacing him.

by Tempestuous Binary on Feb 12, 2010 10:43 PM EST reply actions

At McNabb's age, he isn't worth a 1. You don't give that up for a guy who only has 3-4 years left in the tank max.

Kobb certainly has potential, but that’s it. Who knows. If the Falcons got 2 second round picks for Matt Schaub

by Jonathan Loesche on Feb 13, 2010 12:47 AM EST reply actions

Pete Prisco is saying the Jaguars are possibly interested in Kolb

The teams would switch 1st rounders and the Jags would get Kolb.

It’s just a rumor for now, but definitely an interesting one.

"I just love the Jaguars. Thereeee great! Wow look at the Jaguars almost won the games to the Super Bowl XXXI!" - 2nd Grade Journal entry
Follow me on Twitter

by Adam Stites on Feb 13, 2010 1:57 AM EST reply actions

That is an interesting trade.

Garrard will be turning 32 tomorrow so he is getting up there, although QBs who stay in shape and have not suffered any major injuries or concussions seem to be able to be effective past 36 or so.

As a part-time Jaguar fan I don’t think I like the trade. At #10 the Jags may be able to get a high impact player while at #24 the guy will be potentially very good but with risks.

ie. Earl Thomas vs. Chad Jones; Derrick Morgan vs Carlos Dunlap; Joe Haden vs Donovan Warren in every case you are taking a step down in readiness and possibly ability, or increasing the risk.

And also Kolb has shown some flashes in the two games he played but Garrard is an underrated QB IMO who still looks like he could play another four years at his current [or higher] level. Now if you could also swing a trade for a late second or early third for Garrard, that might work for me.

That will end the Tim Tebow speculation………………..wouldn’t it?

by NorthLeft12 on Feb 13, 2010 7:40 AM EST up reply actions

No way the Eagles would do that.

by JimmyK on Feb 13, 2010 9:21 AM EST up reply actions

The Jags would have to throw in their 2nd

Since they probably won’t do that I don’t see Kolb going anywhere.

I'm not drunk I'm just drinking.

by no1pipelayer on Feb 13, 2010 1:27 PM EST up reply actions

good thing they don't have a 2nd

cuz that would be a bad idea.

Kevin Kolb hasn’t done anything to warrant that. Even moving up that far in the draft is overpaying by the Jags

Bye, AP :(

by FreeBradshaw on Feb 13, 2010 2:47 PM EST up reply actions

I don’t necessarily disagree with you. I just think that’s where Andy Reid values Kolb. Hence, I don’t see Kolb going anywhere.

I'm not drunk I'm just drinking.

by no1pipelayer on Feb 13, 2010 3:48 PM EST up reply actions

got ya.

I agree, I don’t see any reason to trade Kolb.

Bye, AP :(

by FreeBradshaw on Feb 13, 2010 6:18 PM EST up reply actions

Which means

if Kolb is staying – McNabb is going so his value drops as the Eagles cannot keep both guys happy in 2010.

Yes Kolb could wait until 2011 to start – about that means another year not playing!

by G Fan in England on Feb 14, 2010 3:51 PM EST up reply actions

why would his value drop because the Eagles keep Kolb. Do less teams want him because the Eagles want Kolb?

Teams interested are going to be bidding against each other. Just because in the back of their mind they know the Eagles want to get rid of him doesn’t change anything.

by Clyde Simmons on Feb 16, 2010 3:52 PM EST up reply actions

If you assume that the Eagles can only keep one guy (and that they’ll trade Vick for the best offer before they have to cut him, whatever that may be), they lose leverage the second they make a declaration as to who they intend to keep.

Right now they can orchestrate two separate bidding wars – one for Kolb, one for McNabb. Let’s say the Birds choose Kolb. It’s not that teams will be suddenly less interested in McNabb, but they’ll almost certainly lower their asking price because

1. The pressure is now on the Eagles to deal McNabb, rather than the bidder to pry McNabb away. Remember, we’re assuming only one can stay.

and

2. You lose the teams interested in Kolb, which you could theoretically use to drive McNabb’s price up. There’s no reason to announce who they’re getting rid of ahead of time and effectively cut the pool of bidding partners in half.

by Aphilfan on Feb 16, 2010 4:46 PM EST up reply actions

No. What you own is only as valuable as what someone will give you for it. The Eagles decisions are completely independent from what a team is willing to offer for either QB.

I imagine the Eagles will have many offers in hand for all 3 QBs, even if they already know who they want to keep and what they value each player at. Just because they declare themselves to, in this case Kolb, doesn’t mean they will suddenly trade McNabb for less.

What if Kolb was on a different team, but on the trade market? What McNabbs value go down the minute the team trading Kolb made a move?

by Clyde Simmons on Feb 17, 2010 1:24 PM EST up reply actions

I would definitely trade Seattle's number six with Philly's 24 for Kolb and their third round pick

Then grab Spiller at 14 and Brown at 24

by stufr on Feb 13, 2010 8:10 AM EST reply actions

Why wouldn't you just take Bradford or Clausen at #6. Thats what Philly is going to do.

Kolb isn’t a proven player like Cassell. By that I mean Cassell had a whole season under his belt.
Here is how I see it. McNabb is older, injury prone, and his contract is up in a year. If Kolb is ready to be a franchise guy then Philly IS NOT going to give him up. If he isn’t a franchise guy then no one else will want him, either. I think he is worth no more than a 2nd.

If you really want Kolb you can get him by giving up his RFA Tender amount, because he is a RFA. Just wait til they put a tender on him and make the guy an offer. If the Eagles match then you know what he is worth to them.

McNabb is somewhat injury prone and that is not going to get better. Especially with most teams that need a QB. McNabb only has one year remaining on his contract. He will want a long term deal. How could you offer him a highly paid long term deal? Very risky move. Not worth more than a 2nd round pick to me.

Vick is young but not a proven pocket passer. If I were St. Louis and wanted to be the first pro spread offense then maybe I look at Vick. Now if Bulger has something left then I see having Vick learn for one year under him. But they can simply take Clausen if they want a QB. Or take a QB like Snead, Pike, or McCoy with their 2nd round pick. Vick not worth much more than a 2nd.

I think Philly might be stuck. McNabb is almost retiring. Kolb might not be the guy. Vick doesn’t fit their style. If that scenario is correct then Philly is close to being in the Vikings shoes. A great team but no franchise QB.

Winning is not everything but it sure feels like it sometimes

by lifelongvike on Feb 13, 2010 11:38 AM EST up reply actions

Vick is 30.

by TheRealSlimShady on Feb 13, 2010 3:11 PM EST up reply actions

Face it

McNabb is not going anywhere he is the most under appreciated QB in the NFL.

"Boys and girls in America have such a sad time together; sophistication demands that they submit to sex immediately without proper preliminary talk. Not courting talk- real straight talk about souls, for life is holy and every moment is precious."
-Sal Paradise

by HawkCub on Feb 14, 2010 12:23 AM EST up reply actions

And in some respects

a little over rated.

by G Fan in England on Feb 14, 2010 3:52 PM EST up reply actions

Kolb

isn’t a RFA…he has one more year on his contract. All three of them do.

"Eagles fans are a passionate group who love their team," said McNabb, "if not the actual players. It's not like winning a Super Bowl before the first month of the season is the hardest thing they've ever asked of me. That'd be all those times they asked me to go kill myself."

by greenbean#twoOH on Feb 15, 2010 11:54 AM EST up reply actions

You are correct. Sorry for the error.

That’s even more interesting. All three free agents in the 2011 lock -out year.
I still think they sit pat. Let McNabb play out his contract. He has been the man for 11 years. Extend Kolb if he is meeting their needs, and trade Vick before he is owed that $5,000,000 contract payment.

Winning is not everything but it sure feels like it sometimes

by lifelongvike on Feb 15, 2010 2:02 PM EST up reply actions

technically...

That’s why analysts are saying that the Eagles hold all the cards. They havn’t shown which direction they will go, or who could be traded. I’m a Mcnabb supporter, but i can’t say I’d be terribly shocked if he was traded. Not gonna say what they would get, but Andy im sure will want more than is offered.
I wouldn’t be dissapointed with Kolb starting, and if it makes the team better, they can trade Don. I really hope they’re not foolish enough to let him walk away after next year. I’m a fan, but i do see the business aspect of it all, and i think the Eagles get the most value out of him this year. Of course that would mean they have confidence in Kolb as the starter, and i believe they’ll make the right move.

I think Vick is by far the easiest one to say will but traded, but you can never tell with the Eagles FO. I hope they get a 4th for him from someone like the Rams.

by greenbean#twoOH on Feb 15, 2010 2:20 PM EST up reply actions

Oh, you will get at least a 4th for him.

Winning is not everything but it sure feels like it sometimes

by lifelongvike on Feb 15, 2010 3:56 PM EST up reply actions

trading Kolb would be stupid

Kolb played well enough last year to be the QB of the future for Philly. Why would you trade a known quantity, at the most important position, for an unknown in the draft? Look at how well things worked out for GB with Rodgers.

If Philly gets a great offer for McNabb, like Minn’s #1, they should take it. Otherwise, let McNabb play out his contract and have Kolb ready to go next year.

by ct17 on Feb 13, 2010 4:04 PM EST reply actions

Maybe

But if Kolb brings the best return, it makes sense to extend McNabb through the next few seasons (McNabb is a much surer thing right now than Kolb, even if Kolb has great potential), draft a QB and start the process over again.

After all, Kolb could be Aaron Rodgers, or he could be exposed during a full season. You never really know.

by Aphilfan on Feb 16, 2010 4:50 PM EST up reply actions

I always say...

…that Cassel isn’t getting enough credit. He did poorly because he wasn’t surrounded by talent like he was in New England. He played well enough for a QB in a bad situation. When the situation in KC gets better, his stat line will get MUCH better.

by Richard Hill on Feb 14, 2010 2:59 PM EST reply actions