Howie Roseman explains the Eagles' trade for Dontayvion Wicks

Sometimes, the best scouting reports come from seeing a player in live action. Sometimes, the word of former coaches works. In Dontayvion Wicks' case, the Philadelphia Eagles got the best of both worlds. The organization's leadership structure didn't have to rely solely on film to evaluate Dontayvion Wicks. They saw him up close during their 2025 matchup with the Green Bay Packers. It wasn't a breakout performance on the stat sheet: four catches for 38 yards on eight targets. It was, however, enough to leave an impression.

The game was dominated by defense. Wicks still found a way to flash.

His most memorable moment came on a 20-yard contested grab against Quinyon Mitchell, a play that showcased both his physicality and ball skills. It didn't change the outcome. The Eagles escaped with a 10-7 win, but the game may have planted a seed, a seed the new offensive coordinator may have had a hand in watering.

The Eagles' addition of Wicks was fueled by a past matchup and the new offensive coordinator.

Fast forward a few months from that cold game in November, and Wicks is now wearing midnight green. Philadelphia’s decision to bring him in certainly wasn't random. During a recent predraft media session that also included head coach Nick Sirianni, Howie Roseman spoke highly of Wicks' character. If you read between a few lines, it sounds like offensive coordinator Sean Mannion offered additional praise about the type of person and player he is.

That matters in a locker room that places a premium on culture as much as production. It also fits a broader offseason trend. The Eagles lost Jahan Dotson, another high-character guy, but they responded by adding Wicks, Marquise Brown, and Elijah Moore.

The result is a deeper, more competitive wide receiver room than the one that took the field in 2025. And while none of those additions may grab headlines individually, together they signal something important. The Eagles didn't just add receivers this offseason. They added options, and Wicks may be one they've believed in longer than anyone realized.

This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Howie Roseman is bullish on Dontayvion Wicks after the trade