An Eagles source shot down an SI.com report yesterday that said the Eagles were in pursuit of Gonzalez, 33, a 10-time Pro Bowler and likely Hall of Famer.
"Not in it," the source said.
The source said the Eagles were not in the mix for any of those four players, but that could change because many teams were making calls right now with the draft only days away. The source said the Eagles were not averse to trading if the deal was right. The team has 10 picks, including the 21st overall in the first round.
The SI.com report said the Chiefs were still seeking a second-round pick for Gonzalez. The Eagles did talk to the Chiefs just before the trade deadline last season, but refused to part with a second-round pick.
"The first thing you have to decide is if you think there is a player in the draft who is equal to the player who is available," said Charley Casserly, a former NFL general manager with the Houston Texans and Washington Redskins. "I think some teams end up overvaluing the draft picks. Economically, they are certainly more feasible than getting a veteran player.
"If you hit with the younger guy, it gives you a player with a much longer future. But the proven player is usually better. The negative with the proven player is he's going to cost a lot more and not necessarily going to have a long future. The risk of the draft pick is that he might not play for you at all."
By most accounts, Oklahoma State's Brandon Pettigrew is the only tight end in this draft who has the potential to be the next Gonzalez. But it would probably cost the Eagles more to get Pettigrew than it would to acquire Gonzalez, who caught 96 passes for 1,058 yards and 10 touchdowns last season.
