ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler Talks NFL Trade Deadline Possibilities with Rich

Jeremy Fowler called into The Rich Eisen Show from Gate A55 at the Detroit airport, on a layover headed east, and still managed to map out most of the NFL trade deadline before boarding.

The ESPN senior NFL reporter covered why Carolina fired its defensive coordinator, how available Jonathan Taylor really is, which teams are shopping for pass rushers and receivers, where Tyreek Hill stands, and what's going on in Baltimore and Philadelphia. His big-picture read was simple. "These GMs are comfortable with each other. They're comfortable making big moves. They're comfortable giving up major draft capital."

Why the Panthers Fired Ejiro Evero

Rich opened with the news out of Carolina, where the Panthers parted ways with defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. Fowler said it came down to head coach Dave Canales wanting to shake things up.

Fowler was clear that it wasn't about Evero's reputation. "Ejiro Evero, the defensive coordinator, is a really well-respected coach. He's been a finalist for head coaching jobs," he said. The problem was the run defense, which had given up 150 to 200 yards in certain games over the years.

He also gave Evero some cover. Carolina had "a transitional roster really for a few years," Fowler said, and two years ago the defensive roster "was downright bad." This season brought injuries to both starting cornerbacks, and the Panthers were playing practice squad guys the night before.

The tell, Fowler said, came in Canales' press conference, when he noted the defense was in third and longs a lot and didn't get it done. "That to me was sort of a sign that there could be change on the horizon," Fowler said, and that Canales "was just sort of tired of the defense being an issue."

Evero survived the Frank Reich to Canales transition and lasted three and a half years. Fowler pointed to his ties to Sean McVay, the Rams, Kevin O'Connell and Matt LaFleur, and could see him landing somewhere as a senior assistant before getting back into the coordinator cycle. At 3-4 with playoff expectations, and with Canales and offensive coordinator Brad Idzik not going anywhere, the change came on the defensive side.

Is Jonathan Taylor on the Block?

"On the block is relative," Fowler said. He doesn't believe the Colts are actively shopping Taylor, but could he be available at the right price? "I do believe so."

Fowler explained the logic of the trades Indianapolis already made. Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner were "core players who are older, who wanted to go to a championship level team," and the Colts "kind of did those guys a solid." He added that wide receiver Josh Downs "wants out" and "sees the writing on the wall."

For Taylor, Fowler drew a comparison to the Christian McCaffrey sweepstakes in Carolina years ago. He's probably not going to net a first-round pick, but interest will be significant. Minnesota, sitting at 6-0, is one team people around the league are intrigued by, and with Jeffery Simmons going to Chicago, Fowler called the NFC North "an arms race over the next 11 to 12 days."

The Giants and the D-Line Market

Fowler's sneaky contender to make a move is the New York Giants. "I was told they were actually in on Jeffery Simmons. They at least inquired," he said. At that point, the Titans weren't looking to move him, and Fowler noted Titans GM Mike Borgonzi has a relationship with Bears GM Ryan Poles from their Kansas City days.

The Giants, he said, are looking for interior defensive line help "to kind of put that defense over the top a little bit," and Simmons made sense because their defensive coordinator was with him in Tennessee just last year.

Defensive line, Fowler said, will be a priority for multiple teams. He could see Cleveland adding an edge rusher, wondered whether Jacksonville pokes around, and said some around the league expect the 2-5 Eagles to be at least mild sellers.

Edge Rushers: Mack, Crosby and Diaby

On edge rushers, teams are waiting out the Chargers, who have been clear they aren't looking to fire sale. If they lose again, Fowler said, "perhaps they would move a Khalil Mack. So that's a name that's buzzing right now."

Crosby's name is always out there, but Fowler was told he "does not at all want to be traded" and "loves Klint Kubiak and what they have going there" in Las Vegas. It would take a massive haul, something like the Simmons trade, and Fowler doesn't see it happening.

He had also circled Yaya Diaby in Tampa, but the Bucs won last week and are alive in their division. "The Bucs typically don't sell," Fowler said, though he expected them to look into moving Diaby had they lost.

The Receiver Market and the Chiefs

"The Chiefs know they need a receiver," Fowler said. "And they have lines in the water." His sense is that Brian Thomas Jr. in Jacksonville is one target, and that teams think Jacksonville could come around and deal him because of his diminished role. If not, a team could pivot to Josh Downs "and maybe get him for a quality day three pick." The Steelers are in that market too.

Jerry Jeudy is another name, but Fowler said the Browns aren't shopping him unless the offer is substantial, likely something like a second-round pick. Cleveland is winning, uses three-receiver sets, and Jeudy is a veteran in a young room. "I can see Jeudy sticking around."

Where Tyreek Hill Stands

"Tyreek Hill is available," Fowler said. He described it as mostly a health issue after "a severe injury with multiple factors involved," and said Hill is also trying to put the legal stuff behind him.

Every time Fowler has checked with agent Drew Rosenhaus, he's been told Hill is doing great and rehabbing to be 100 percent when he signs. Fowler could see it heating up after the deadline for a team that strikes out on a receiver, and noted Hill "still has a strong affinity for the Kansas City Chiefs."

Dark Horses

Rich asked about New England, with A.J. Brown having tweaked an ankle, Romeo Doubs on IR and the team coming off a loss to Chicago. Fowler said he'd be surprised if the Patriots moved draft picks right now after giving up a lot for Brown.

Instead, he named the Rams, who have a receiver need, and the 49ers "to an extent." He also floated Jauan Jennings, who is on a one-year deal in Minnesota where "it's been up and down," and who knows the 49ers well. Minnesota has also been rumored for defensive line help for Brian Flores, which Fowler called "an interesting test" for the GM of the league's only undefeated team.

Baltimore's Leadership Question

With Lamar announced as the starter against the Bills, Rich asked about Jesse Minter saying he needs more leadership from veterans late in games.

"They've had some meltdowns in the second half," Fowler said, and there were questions about leadership late last year before John Harbaugh "was on the way out." As a new coach, Minter is trying to establish who wants that role. Fowler named left tackle Ronnie Stanley on offense, and said Kyle Hamilton "clearly wants to be that." Roquan Smith and Hamilton, he said, are the two the Ravens are leaning on "to try to uphold the Baltimore standard."

The Eagles in Limbo

Rich circled back to Philadelphia before Fowler's flight. Fowler said Saquon's status is uncertain, Nick Sirianni hasn't committed to him playing, and DeVonta Smith's practice participation has also been up and down. If the stars keep missing time and the Eagles fall to 2-6, "then what?"

He doesn't expect Howie Roseman to move major pieces, but said cornerback Riq Woolen and wide receiver Hollywood Brown are names coming up in league circles. "Some people in Philadelphia simply don't know right now," Fowler said. "These are open-ended questions that they're kind of trying to answer in real time."