Was The Carson Wentz Trade A Smart Move For The Philadelphia Eagles? A Look At The Outcome

The Philadelphia Eagles were in a tough spot when they traded Carson Wentz in 2021. Moving on from a franchise quarterback isn’t easy, especially when he was once seen as the team’s future. But Howie Roseman, the Eagles’ general manager, played his cards right. What looked like a risky trade at the time turned into one of the most impactful deals in recent NFL history.

Let’s break down how this trade reshaped the franchise.

Breaking Down The Carson Wentz Trade

In February 2021, the Eagles traded Carson Wentz to the Indianapolis Colts. In return, they received:

A 2021 third-round pick (No. 84 overall)
A conditional 2022 first-round pick (No. 16 overall), which became a first-rounder after Wentz played 75% of the Colts’ snaps in 2021.

This trade set the foundation for a series of moves that would shape the Eagles’ roster for years to come.

Breaking:
What did Eagles ultimately receive in Carson Wentz trade from 2021? Philly built Super Bowl champion from deal

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— Helmet Head (@HelmetHeadAi) February 25, 2025

Turning Draft Picks Into Key Players

DeVonta Smith Trade

Roseman used the 2021 third-round pick from the Carson Wentz trade to move up in the draft. The Eagles traded:

No. 12 overall pick (their own)
No. 84 overall pick (from the Colts)

In return, they moved up to No. 10 and selected wide receiver DeVonta Smith. Smith has since become one of the best receivers in Eagles history, recording over 4,000 receiving yards and 27 touchdowns in his first four seasons.

Flipping Picks With The Saints

Roseman made another big move with the 2022 first-round pick from the Carson Wentz trade (No. 16). He traded it, along with No. 19 and No. 194 (from the Matt Pryor trade), to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for:

2022 first-round pick (No. 18)
2022 third-round pick (No. 101)
2022 seventh-round pick (No. 237)
2023 first-round pick
2024 second-round pick

This move gave the Eagles key future assets.

Also Read: 10 Big Name NFL Players That Keep Getting Better With Age

A.J. Brown Trade

Roseman used the No. 18 pick (from the Saints) and No. 101 (third-round pick) to acquire A.J. Brown from the Tennessee Titans. Brown has since put up back-to-back record-breaking seasons and signed a lucrative contract extension.

Landing Jalen Carter

The 2023 first-round pick from the Saints (No. 10) was then used to trade up one spot and select Jalen Carter, who has quickly become one of the NFL’s best defensive tackles.

Adding Cooper DeJean

The Eagles also used the 2024 second-round pick from the Saints (No. 50) to trade up and select Cooper DeJean, a standout defensive back who made an immediate impact in his rookie season.