Tony Pauline of WalterFootball.com reports that the Cowboys and 49ers are expected to have interest in trading for Eagles RB Ryan Mathews if Philadelphia comes away with Ezekiel Elliott at No. 8 overall.
While the Cowboys could use another running back, Pauline admits that it’s unlikely the Eagles would want to cut a deal with a division rival.
The 49ers hired Chip Kelly several months ago as their new head coach, so he’s plenty familiar with what Mathews brings to the table as a running back. However, Pauline’s source also wondered if they would trade him to their former head coach.
Before the start of free agency, Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reported that the Eagles have made it known that they were willing to trade Mathews for the right price.
However, this was before they shipped DeMarco Murray to the Titans.
Mathews, 28, is in the second year of his three-year, $11 million contract that includes $5 million guaranteed. He stands to make a base salary of $3 million for the 2016 season.
According to OverTheCap.com, trading Mathews would free up $2 million in available cap space while creating $2 million in dead money.
In 2015, Mathews appeared in 13 games and ran for 539 yards on 107 carries (5 YPC) to go along with 20 receptions for 146 yards receiving and seven total touchdowns. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 47 running back out of 69 qualifying players.
We’ll have more regarding a potential trade involving Mathews as the news is available.
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