Eagles trade for underachieving Titans WR Dorial Green-Beckham
Player-for-player trades are rare in the NFL, but especially ones such as these.
The Philadelphia Eagles traded for underachieving second-year wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham — and didn’t give up much to get him. The deal is DGB straight up for Dennis Kelly, who opened camp as a reserve offensive lineman.
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DGB was the 40th overall pick by the Tennessee Titans in 2015 and had 32 receptions for 549 yards and four touchdowns. By themselves, the numbers are indicative of Green-Beckham’s immense talent — 17-plus yards a clip for a 6-foot-5 receiver in an offense that started two quarterbacks, including one rookie, and didn’t exactly sling the ball all over the yard.
Combine that with the fact that the majority of DGB’s production came down the stretch, the hope heading into the offseason was thatGreen-Beckham was on the rise in Tennessee. But he didn’t endear himself to head coach Mike Mularkey, who called out his young receiver’s conditioning and consistency and had Green-Beckham running second team during camp. His work ethic appears to be a big reason why the trade was made.
#Titans are upset w/ how Green-Beckham responded to demands. Told to work harder in offseason, came in out of shape. Didn't improve. #Eagles
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) August 16, 2016
The Eagles want more from their receivers, and with Jordan Matthews banged up (bone bruise in his knee) the Eagles felt the need to add more playmaking potential. Green-Beckham offers that, and if he and 2015 first-rounder Nelson Agholor ever develop, they could have something. But both have a lot to prove.
Kelly, who signed a one-year extension for modest money ($880K) in the offseason, is by no means a standout, but he’s a reliable, four-position reserve with solid starting experience who could have been asked to step in as the right tackle with Lane Johnson suspended 10 games — one that, for now anyway, is expected to be upheld despite questions about the circumstances behind it.
But with Kelly gone, the Eagles might have to turn to 2016 fifth-rounder Halapoulivaati Vaitai at the position if Johnson’s suspension holds. Vaitai played 37 snaps in the preseason opener to Kelly’s 36. Johnson started and logged three snaps against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before putting on a baseball cap.
The Titans were seeking veteran OL help with two young tackles, Taylor Lewan and Jack Conklin, slated to start this season. Kelly has played every position along the line in his four pro seasons except for center.
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Eric Edholm is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at edholm@yahoo-inc.com or follow him on Twitter!
