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Eagles’ trade for Albert Okwuegbunam is one of their strongest offseason moves

Originally posted on Philly Sports Network
By Liam Jenkins | Last updated 8/31/23

The Philadelphia Eagles have made their final moves to prep for the upcoming 2023 season. One of those moves was surprisingly a trade with the Denver Broncos. The Eagles sent a 2025 fifth-rounder to the Broncos in exchange for TE Albert Okwuegbunam and their 2025 sixth-rounder, so, a freebie. This has the potential to be a huge addition for this offense.

Who is Albert Okwuegbunam?

Okwuegbunam Is now in his fourth NFL season. He’s 6’5, 258 lbs, and can run a 4.4-second 40-yard dash. In his time with the Broncos, he’s totaled 546 yards and a quartet of touchdowns.

The Broncos seemed content to roll out Adam Trautman, Greg Dulcich, and Chris Manhertz in 2023, making Okwuegbunam expendable.

Howie Roseman was quick to pick up the phone with a recent preseason performance sticking in his memory. Okwuegbunam put up 109 yards on 7 receptions as well as scoring a touchdown in Denver’s preseason finale and that was clearly enough for the esteemed GM to want to take a shot on him.

Okwuegbunam did it all in that game. He converted a huge catch on 3rd & 21, hurdled a defender, made a dazzling catch on 4th & 4, and high-pointed balls like how many imagined JJ Arcega-Whiteside once would. His blocking may leave a little to be desired and there was a flag that can be tidied up, but this was very much a sign that Albert O can thrive at the NFL level.

So, what does the arrival of Albert Okwuegbunam Mean for the Eagles?

Tyree Jackson lost his roster battle with Grant Calcaterra despite a stellar offseason. The Eagles clearly believe in the second-year player, but the depth behind Dallas Goedert was questionable at best prior to this move. Jack Stoll has great blocking prowess but is a weak receiver, and Grant Calcaterra has the opposite skillset. If Dallas Goedert was to suffer an injury, the Eagles would really be lacking in the tight end department and for a team that leans on running the ball and RPO’s as much as Philly, that’s an issue.

Albert Okwuegbunam not only brings receiving upside, but he’s got the size and athleticism needed to sustain blocks as a viable TE2 to Goedert. He had a blocking grade of 75.2 this preseason, the second-highest of ANY tight end in the NFL. In 2021, that number was 81.7 in 300 blocking snaps.

This is about as low-risk, high-reward as moves could possibly come. There’s every chance that ‘Albert O’ entrenches himself as a valuable player on this offense as Dallas Goedert’s deputy and someone who not only has stunning athleticism as a receiver, but the physicality needed to keep this RPO-based offense ticking.

This article first appeared on Philly Sports Network and was syndicated with permission.

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