The NFL trade rumor mill is spinning and DeSean Jackson is in the middle of it, as the Philadelphia Eagles may trade their star wideout and the San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots and Oakland Raiders are among many teams that have shown interest and the Niners may be the best fit, as they have the draft picks to send back to Philly in any deal.
The Eagles have made a number of moves this offseason that explain why they are listening to offers, as they brought back both Jeremy Maclin and Riley Cooper on deals at wide receiver and the team also added Darren Sproles in a trade from the Saints. According to ESPN.com, the 49ers and the Patriots were two teams mentioned among the group that called about Jackson and the report says that the Eagles are not actually shopping Jackson for a trade, but that they are open to listening to offers for him.
The news was first reported from CSN Philly and it comes after Jackson had some issues last season with the new offense under Chip Kelly and while he came around and had a great season, Kelly does not like players with attitude issues. Jackson is very fast and very productive, but Kelly knows his system inside and out and adding someone like Sproles could greatly help make up for the production even if he isn't a wide receiver. Sproles has put up better numbers than some wideouts over the past few years and that may allow for the Eagles to make a move with Jackson and not get set too far back.
Jackson is coming off of a great season with 82 catches for 1,332 yards and nine touchdowns and he set a career high in yards, but at the age of 27 and a big contract attached to him, the Eagles may feel it's time to move along. Jackson is owed $30 million in guaranteed money over the next three seasons and that is a lot to tie up in a wide receiver. The team will need to keep Nick Foles in line and after signing Cooper and Maclin, there may not be enough to go around for a wideout that happens to complain more than everyone else.
ESPN.com wrote that the 49ers and the Patriots are in good position to trade for Jackson, as the CSN report says the Eagles want at least a third round pick for him. The Niners have the picks in their stable and they need more depth at wideout despite signing back Anquan Boldin, as Michael Crabtree is coming off of serious surgery from before last season and may not be 100 percent despite playing in the playoffs. The Patriots don't really need Jackson after adding Brandon LaFell and signing back Julian Edelman, as they have Aaron Dobson, Josh Boyce and Kenbrell Thompkins on the roster already.
The Niners have over 10 picks and they have multiple third round picks along with two second round picks and they could use that to pull a Jackson deal. The team is coming in with 10 picks right now after trading one to the Jags and Jim Harbaugh could be getting ready for another trade.
