As this trade frenzy nears its conclusion tonight, the Eagles are moving back again. They are trading No. 101 to the Broncos, who will make their fourth selection of the draft.
Denver will send Philly Nos. 111, 130 and 191 for Nos. 101 and 134. The Broncos will take LSU edge rusher Sai’vion Jones with the selection. This is the Broncos’ second straight draft choosing an outside linebacker in Round 3; they chose rotational cog Jonah Elliss last year.
Philly had just moved back, via Atlanta, from No. 96. While no future pick is coming their way in this swap, the Broncos will cut down their selection count by one. They will do so for Jones, who will be in line to step in as a backup behind starters Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper.
At 283 pounds, however, Jones could also be ticketed for time up front in Denver’s 3-4 scheme, where Zach Allen, John Franklin-Myers and Malcolm Roach are on expiring contracts. Bonitto is in a contract year (as a clear extension candidate), while Cooper’s extension runs through 2028. Jones will join the former seventh-round find in being signed for four seasons. The Broncos traded Baron Browning to the Cardinals before last year’s deadline, and former UDFA Dondrea Tillman operated as the team’s fourth rusher following that point.
Jones posted 4.5 sacks and eight tackles for loss last season; both were career-high numbers, as the SEC product is not Colorado-bound with an impressive statistical resume. Jones checked in 19th among edge defenders on Dane Brugler’s The Athletic big board, though it will be interesting to see if the Broncos give him time up front during the offseason program.
The defending champions are certainly known for draft maneuvering as their shifts out of 2024 draft slots — for 2025 picks — was among the more notable storylines during the final rounds last year. The Eagles have made two picks thus far — linebacker Jihaad Campbell and safety Andrew Mukuba. They will enter Day 3 with seven more picks. Conversely, Denver holds just two on Day 3.