Eagles' Top Hypothetical Trade Packages for James Bradberry, Avonte Maddox

The Philadelphia Eagles experienced a dreadful collapse late in 2023, and their defense was particularly disappointing.

Philadelphia finished the season ranked just 31st in passing yards allowed, 26th in total defense and 30th in points allowed. While the Eagles responded by hiring Vic Fangio as their new defensive coordinator, an influx of defensive talent is needed.

With $39.7 million in projected cap space, general manager Howie Roseman will have some flexibility in free agency. However, it would be beneficial for him to create more cap space, ideally, while moving on from a couple of the team's more underwhelming contributors.

In a vacuum, cornerbacks James Bradberry and Avonte Maddox would be logical trade candidates. Bradberry regressed significantly in 2023, while Maddox missed the bulk of the season with a torn Pectoral.

However, trading one or both of the cornerbacks could prove difficult, and the return isn't likely to be great. Here, we'll examine exactly how hypothetical trade packages for Bradberry and Maddox could look.

The Package: Arizona trades a 2024 seventh-round pick (222nd overall) for Bradberry and a 2024 fifth-round pick (from Tampa Bay, 160th overall)

After having a strong 2022 campaign, Bradberry was a weak link in 2023. He allowed an opposing passer rating of 114.3 in coverage and was equally disappointing in run support.

The problem is that Bradberry's contract makes him nearly impossible to dump this offseason—which Roseman all but admitted at the scouting combine.

"Yeah, he's under contract, part of our plan," Roseman told reporters.

Here's the issue. Bradberry has $17.2 million in dead money remaining on his contract. Cutting him before March 13 would cost the Eagles an additional $12.4 million in cap space, while trading him would cost $11.1 million. Trading him between March 13 and June 1 would cost $20.8 million in cap space, while trading him after June 1 would cost $8.3 million.

There simply isn't a reasonable path to trading Bradberry unless he restructures his contract—which he has little reason to do—or the Eagles can convince a team to absorb some of the dead money on his deal.

The latter route is unconventional but not unprecedented. Famously in 2017, the Cleveland Browns took on Brock Osweiler's contract along with a 2018 second-round pick and a 2017 seventh-rounder while giving up a fourth-round pick. The Houston Texans essentially paid to dump Oweiler's deal in an NBA-style maneuver.

The Eagles could, hypothetically, take a similar approach, though finding a trade partner wouldn't be easy. The Arizona Cardinals should be Roseman's first call.

Arizona has $31.8 million in projected cap space, needs cornerback help and happens to employ Bradberry's 2022 coordinator, Jonathan Gannon, as its head coach. Dealing Bradberry to the Cardinals would actually cost the Eagles draft capital, but it would allow them to move on from a bad contract and create more financial flexibility.

The Package: Arizona Trades a 2025 fifth-round pick for Maddox

Cutting Bradberry outright may ultimately be the right route for Philadelphia. Doing so after June 1 would trigger dad-cap hits of $4.7 million and $12.5 million in 2024 and 2025, respectively, while saving just $150,000 in cap space.

Obviously, that's not ideal, but it would give the Eagles a fresh start at cornerback.

Trading Maddox could help soften the blow. Trading him now would save $1.9 million in cap space, while trading him after June 1 would save $7.1 million. Moving Maddox should also be much more straightforward.

The 27-year-old returned from the pectoral injury to play at the end of the 2023 season, and he was a reliable defender when healthy in 2022. He allowed an opposing passer rating of just 77.3 in coverage that season.

Again, Arizona should be the Eagles' first choice for a trade partner. Gannon knows Maddox well, and the Cardinals' need for cornerback help is clear—they ranked 30th in net yards per pass attempt allowed last season.

The Eagles cannot expect a stellar return for Maddox because the free-agent cornerback pool is deep—headlined by Jaylon Johnson, Stephon Gilmore and Kendall Fuller. Hypothetically, though, Philly could at least gain draft capital while creating cap space in a Maddox trade. A deal after June 1 would make the most sense.

The Package: Eagles trade a 2024 second-round pick (53rd overall) and CB Avonte Maddox for CB L'Jarius Sneed

The Eagles need to get better at cornerback, and the Kansas City Chiefs might be able to provide a solution.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Chiefs have informed standout corner L'Jarius Sneed that they plan to use the franchise tag on him but could also explore trade opportunities.

Sneed, who allowed an opposing passer rating of only 56.2 last season, would be an instant upgrade over Bradberry and a fine running mate for Darius Slay. However, multiple teams are likely to be interested in the Chiefs' standout.

A second-round pick is a steep cost, but Sneed is worth that price point. The Eagles also have a pair of second-rounders thanks to a 2022 draft trade with the New Orleans Saints.

Including Maddox in a deal could help give the Eagles an advantage in trade negotiations, as it would allow Kansas City to backfill its cornerback depth after moving Sneed.

Trading Maddox before June 1 would yield minimal cap savings but would give Philly a little extra room to facilitate an extension for the 27-year-old Sneed.

Cap and contract information via Spotrac. Advanced statistics from Pro Football Reference.