{"id":26996,"date":"2017-08-11T14:11:32","date_gmt":"2017-08-11T18:11:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=26996"},"modified":"2021-05-30T19:38:39","modified_gmt":"2021-05-30T23:38:39","slug":"eagles-trade-jordan-matthews-pick-bills-ronald-darby","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2017\/08\/11\/eagles-trade-jordan-matthews-pick-bills-ronald-darby\/","title":{"rendered":"Eagles Trade Jordan Matthews and Pick for Bills’ Ronald Darby"},"content":{"rendered":"

The\u00a0Nelson Agholor<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>versus\u00a0Jordan Matthews<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>debate is finally over: Matthews was traded to the Bills for third-year cornerback\u00a0Ronald Darby<\/a><\/strong>. The Buffalo Bills<\/strong> also acquired a 2018 third-round pick for Matthews.\u00a0In another move, the Bills also traded away<\/a>\u00a0former first-round pick\u00a0Sammy<\/strong> Watkins<\/strong>\u00a0and a sixth-rounder to the Los Angeles Rams<\/strong> for\u00a0E.J. Gaines<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and a 2018 second-round pick. (You can read about the second trade here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

Eagles Trade Jordan Matthews and Pick for Bills’ Ronald Darby<\/h2>\n

The Bills likely wanted to avoid contract talks with a wide receiver known for injury concerns. Sammy Watkins<\/a> has yet to play a full season in his young career. Despite massive potential, the Clemson product never seemed to match his draft pedigree. Former Philadelphia Eagles<\/a> receiver\u00a0Jordan Matthews will likely take Watkins’ former role as the number one option.\u00a0Aside from drop concerns, Matthews had been a quality receiver for Philly since he was drafted back in 2014. In Matthews’ career, he’s totaled 19 touchdowns, 2,673 yards, and 225 receptions.<\/p>\n

As for Ronald Darby, the Eagles may have finally acquired a legitimate starting cornerback.\u00a0Pro Football Focus<\/em> had Darby as their 2015 Defensive Rookie of the Year.<\/a>\u00a0Darby’s sophomore season wasn’t stellar like his first, but he was earning praise in August training. Darby struggled in pass coverage last year, but was very capable as run-defender. The Bills are likely expecting E.J. Gaines to replace Darby.<\/p>\n

What this means for the Eagles<\/h3>\n

Philadephia had a lot of receiver\u00a0trouble last year so it might come as a small surprise that they would trade away one of their best. However, the Eagles signed both\u00a0Alshon Jeffery<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Torrey Smith<\/a><\/strong> in the off-season. They also drafted this guy:<\/p>\n

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A little @cj_wentz<\/a> MAGIC!<\/p>\n

And @mackhollins<\/a> will not be stopped.<\/p>\n

This was beautiful. #FlyEaglesFly<\/a> #PHIvsGB<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/ym8Vu4swtq<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NFL (@NFL) August 11, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The point is, the Eagles are probably set at wide receiver so they needed to address their\u00a0other<\/em>\u00a0biggest concern<\/em>. Enter, Ronald Darby. Philly had a\u00a0lot<\/em> of questions at corner. And while Patrick Robinson<\/a><\/strong> and Jalen Mills<\/a><\/strong> both looked pretty good in Preseason week one, depth never hurts.
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>