As the Eagles look to create financial flexibility and upgrade talent this offseason, Mychal Kendricks could be on the move with a receptive trade market waiting across the NFL according to Jimmy Kempski of PhillyVoice.
Kendricks finished last season, after playing just 26.8 percent of the Eagles’ defensive snaps with only 32 tackles but could be viewed as a player with upside in a new situation to linebacker needy teams.
As Kempski points out, the Eagles would create $1.8 million in cap space if Kendricks and his $6.6 million are removed either via trade or by cutting him this offseason.
It appeared last summer during training camp and the preseason that defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz grew frustrated by Kendricks, going so far as to play him into the fourth quarter of a preseason game after other starters had been removed and dressing him for the preseason finale against the Jets.
Kendricks for Torrey Smith? Eagles should consider it
Last season’s output represents the lowest production and fewest snaps taken by Kendricks since he was chosen by the Eagles in the No. 46 overall pick in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft.
Kendricks, when he is at his best, is a freelancing and play-making linebacker on the outside. In his career, Kendricks has registered 12.0 career sacks.
However, Schwarz very rarely blitzes linebackers — especially the team’s outside linebackers — which could make Kendricks a commodity for teams with blitz-heavy schemes.
Likewise, the fact that Kendricks’ versatility with experience playing both outside linebacker in 4-3 schemes and inside linebacker in a 3-4 could stoke a potential trade market.
One option that could be worth the Eagles considering is a Kendricks for Torrey Smith swap with the San Francisco 49ers which could help each organization fill a need with players that are in desperate need of a change of scenery.
Matt Lombardo may be reached at MDLombardo@yahoo.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattLombardo975.
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