There have been reports flying around that the Philadelphia Eagles and New Orleans Saints could make a run at Minnesota Vikings’ restricted free agent, Ray Edwards.
Edwards is tendered as a first round pick, meaning that if he were to sign an offer-sheet that the Vikings would not match, the team signing him would give their first round pick to the Vikings. While the Eagles and Saints aren’t exactly holding a high first round pick, it’s a draft choice that is always valuable.
The Philadelphia Eagles are in desperate need of a defensive end to suit up opposite of Trent Cole. If they were able to get a quality starter (let’s face it, Juqua Parker was serviceable but his time is done) opposite of Cole, the Philly pass rush becomes one of the better in the NFL.
Edwards has been an average pass rusher throughout his short career thus far, but his 2009 post-season performance has garnered him the attention around the league that he’s getting right now.
What it boils down to for the Saints and Eagles is simple. Is the guy that you’re going to draft at 32 or 24 better than Ray Edwards? The Eagles have been rumored to have been set to take the best available defensive end at 24, so if they feel as though Ray Edwards is better than that guy, you make the deal.
However, neither of these teams are the type of teams that throw their picks around, especially Philadelphia. Which makes me a bit leery of these reports for that reason, and I expect the Eagles to inquire about Edwards through a trade separate from signing him to an offer sheet.
Edwards has never been an elite pass rusher, so giving up a first round pick for him will be tough, but he just had his best season by far in 2009 with 8.5 sacks. It was also only his fourth year in the league, which means he’ll just be entering his prime in the next few seasons.