How the Eagles Could Land Myles Garrett for Just One Net First-Round Pick

The Myles Garrett conversation has moved from fantasy to feasibility. And the math — when you actually run it — is a lot less painful than most Eagles fans think.

The Three-First-Round-Pick Problem

Cleveland reportedly wants three first-round picks for Garrett. On the surface, that sounds like a dealbreaker. The Eagles have one first-rounder this year (23rd overall) and aren't exactly swimming in future capital. Three firsts for a 29-year-old edge rusher? That's Trey Lance territory.

But here's where it gets interesting.

Step 1: Trade Out of 23

The Eagles don't have to use the 23rd pick on a player. They can trade down — out of the first round entirely — and acquire a 2027 first-round pick from a team looking to move up. At 23, in a draft without a clear franchise quarterback, there will be teams willing to swap a future first plus day-two picks for the chance to grab a falling tackle or edge rusher.

That gives the Eagles two first-round picks in 2027 (their own plus the acquired one).

Step 2: Trade AJ Brown Post-June 1

This is the key domino. Trading AJ Brown after June 1 spreads the dead cap hit across two years, making it financially manageable. New England has been linked to Brown repeatedly, and a first-round pick is the expected return for a receiver of his caliber — even at 29 with a $32 million cap hit.

That first-rounder from New England gives the Eagles three first-round picks in 2027: their own, the trade-down pick, and the AJ Brown return.

Step 3: Send Cleveland Three Firsts, Keep Two

Offer Cleveland three first-rounders spread across 2027 and 2028. After the trade, the Eagles still retain picks from the maneuvering. The net cost? Roughly one first-round pick and AJ Brown for the best defensive player in football.

Why the Cap Works

After Cleveland's March restructure, a post-June 1 Garrett trade creates only a $15.3 million dead cap hit for the Browns — entirely manageable. For the Eagles, Garrett's cap hit in 2026 would be approximately $9.14 million. That's less than what Jaelan Phillips was going to cost.

The Bottom Line

Is it simple? No. Does it require Howie Roseman to execute multiple moves in sequence? Yes. But the Eagles have done this before — they're the team that turned Wentz into picks that became DeVonta Smith. Roseman lives for this kind of cap origami.

The real question isn't whether the Eagles CAN do it. It's whether they have the conviction to pull the trigger on the best defensive player since Reggie White.