Some interesting news as the combine is set to begin in Indianapolis. According to a few reports, the 40-yard dash record holder is available for trade.
This comes just two years into his so-far disappointing career.
Sources tell me the Cincinnati Bengals are hoping to trade receiver John Ross and will field offers during the combine. We'll have more tonight during our podcast.— Tony Pauline (@TonyPauline) February 26, 2019
So the 40-yard dash record holder is available and it just so happens that the Eagles desperately need a deep threat. In fact, it was one of the big missing elements of their 2018 offense. The Eagles had Torrey Smith in 2017 and tried to make Mike Wallace the deep threat in 2018, but an injury early in the year wrecked that.
So, when it comes to Ross, the Eagles should at least make a call.
You'll remember that the Bengals drafted Ross with the ninth overall pick in the 2017 draft after Ross put up a blistering 4.22 in the 40-yard dash to break Chris Johnson's record.
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That impressive combine performance came after his 2016 season, when he caught 76 passes for 1,122 yards and 17 touchdowns at Washington. At the very least, Ross was expected to become a deep threat with Cincinnati.
But two years into his career and Ross has been a disappointment. He finished his rookie season without a catch. In 2018, Ross had a really weird stat line: Ross had just 21 catches (on 58 targets) for 210 yards and somehow seven touchdowns.
The real question: How much would it cost?
Because trading for Ross obviously isn't a move based on his production in the NFL so far. It would be a move based on projection and ceiling and hoping a change of scenery helps him unlock his potential. If it takes a mid-round to late-round pick, it might be worth it for the Eagles to take a gamble.
And make no mistake, it would be a bit of a gamble. There's a reason the Bengals are willing to give up on Ross after just two seasons, even though there's a new head coach and a new offensive scheme coming to town.
Ross has guaranteed salaries of $2 million and $2.8 million in his last two seasons under contract. That's not a ton of money, but it's not nothing for a guy who hasn't had any production either.
Maybe the Eagles won't take the gamble, but it's at least worth a phone call from Howie Roseman. Actually, scratch that, everyone is in Indy. A face-to-face will work too.
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