Carson Wentz trade looks even better for Eagles after 2024 draft haul

There was a point in time that quarterback Carson Wentz was counted on to help build a winning future with the Philadelphia Eagles. 

And in a way, he has.

Wentz spent five seasons with the Eagles, helping lead the team to a Super Bowl championship in 2017. He also earned the only All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors of his career that season.

But it could be argued perhaps his biggest contribution to the team has been the massive haul of players Philly has acquired from the picks it received after shipping Wentz to the Indianapolis Colts in 2021.

Here’s a summary of the deal: the Colts got Wentz while the Eagles got a 2021 third-round pick and 2022 first-round pick. And from there, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman took those picks and used them to acquire more picks, eventually turning that surplus of draft capital into a foundational core for a team that’s set up to contend for the Super Bowl for years. Here’s how he did it.

Roseman packaged the third-round pick he got from the Colts (No. 84 overall) with his own first-rounder (No. 12 overall) to move up two spots with the Dallas Cowboys and select receiver DeVonta Smith. The 25-year-old has posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and has caught 19 touchdown passes across his three years in Philly.

Next, Roseman traded the 2022 first-round pick he got from the Colts (No. 16 overall) plus his own (No. 19 overall) to the New Orleans Saints for their 2022 first (No. 18 overall) plus extra second- and seventh-rounders and an additional 2023 first-rounder in 2023 and second-rounder in 2024.

Roseman then used that haul to land receiver A.J. Brown from the Tennessee Titans, sending them the Nos. 18 and 101 overall picks in 2022. Brown has put up back-to-back All-Pro seasons in which he totaled 88 or more catches, 1,400 or more yards and scored 18 touchdowns en route to becoming the highest-paid WR in the NFL.

If that weren’t enough, Roseman then sent the 2023 first-rounder he acquired from the Saints (No. 10 overall) to the Chicago Bears to trade up to No. 9 overall and grab defensive tackle Jalen Carter. The 23-year-old DT had a solid rookie season, logging 50 pressures, 39 hurries, and six sacks, per Pro Football Focus.

Then, during last week’s draft, Roseman landed even more young talent to build around. He sent the additional 2024 second-round pick he got from the Saints (No. 50 overall) along with the 53rd and 161st overall picks to the Washington Commanders in exchange for the 40th, 78th and 152nd overall picks.

With those selections, the Eagles drafted cornerback Cooper DeJean and traded up for edge-rusher Jalyx Hunt, running back Will Shipley and linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. 

So, in the span of three years, Roseman turned Wentz into Smith, Brown, Carter, DeJean, Hunt, Shipley and Trotter Jr. He also still has picks to make (2025 fourth- and fifth-rounders) that can be traced back to the original Wentz trade.

The Colts didn’t come away from the deal empty-handed. Sure, they parted ways with Wentz after just one season, but they flipped him to the Commanders for 2022 second- and third-round picks plus a 2023 third-rounder. They used those picks to acquire left tackle Bernhard Raimann, wide receiver Alec Pierce, tight ends Jelani Woods and Andrew Ogletree.

The Saints also had a solid return from the deal as well, acquiring receiver Chris Olave, who has started his career with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, plus offensive tackle Trevor Penning.