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Darian Kinnard traded: Eagles send OT to Packers for 2027 sixth-round pick

Darian Kinnard traded: Eagles send OT to Packers for 2027 sixth-round pick

Eagles flip depth into a future pick as a busy trade streak rolls on

Howie Roseman is still dealing. The Eagles moved offensive tackle Darian Kinnard to the Green Bay Packers for a 2027 sixth-round pick on Sunday, capping a flurry of roster tweaks that included two other moves the same day. It’s Philadelphia’s fifth trade in three weeks and another small-but-deliberate bet on churn, competition, and future draft ammo.

Kinnard, 25, arrived in Philadelphia on a reserve/futures deal in January after two seasons in Kansas City, where he was a fifth-round pick in 2022. He spent most of his time there developing, appeared in one regular-season game as a rookie, and then rode the practice squad through 2023. With the Eagles this past season, he suited up twice and started the meaningless Week 18 finale at right tackle against the Giants. He’s worked almost exclusively on the right side as a pro and, yes, he owns three Super Bowl rings—two with the Chiefs (LVII, LVIII) and one with the Eagles (LIX).

The timing makes sense from Philadelphia’s side. Earlier in the day, the Eagles brought back tackle Fred Johnson (via the Jaguars) and added quarterback Sam Howell (via the Vikings). Over the past three weeks, they also traded for wideout John Metchie III and corner Jakorian Bennett. That shuffle squeezed snaps and camp reps for Kinnard in 2025, especially with established starters holding their spots and Johnson now back in the room.

Roseman has long treated the fringes of the roster like a live marketplace. Late-round picks two years out may look small, but they stack up fast and power bigger moves later—pick swaps, injury cover, midseason rentals. For a player who was unlikely to crack the game-day rotation in Philly, turning him into a future selection is tidy business.

Here’s the recent Eagles activity at a glance:

  • Acquired QB Sam Howell from the Vikings
  • Reacquired OT Fred Johnson from the Jaguars
  • Traded OT Darian Kinnard to Packers for a 2027 sixth
  • Added WR John Metchie III from the Texans (past three weeks)
  • Added CB Jakorian Bennett (past three weeks)

Financially, this is low-impact stuff. Kinnard was on a budget-friendly deal. The Eagles free up a roster spot and a handful of future dollars while adding a pick that can be flipped later. The football logic is cleaner: Johnson’s return gives Philadelphia an experienced swing option, and Kinnard—who was viewed as a 2025 depth piece—became the odd man out.

What the Packers get: a developmental tackle with guard potential

Green Bay’s side is simple: cheap depth with upside at a premium position. The Packers under Matt LaFleur have churned through and developed late-round and undrafted linemen as well as anyone—Rasheed Walker, Jon Runyan Jr., and others worked their way from Day 3 or the margins into real roles. Betting a future sixth on a 25-year-old tackle who has start-size and power is right in their wheelhouse.

On tape, Kinnard brings heavy hands and a thick lower half. He’s a people-mover in the run game and comfortable at right tackle, where he’s logged most of his pro work. The questions have been foot speed in space and how he holds up against quick outside counters. That’s why some teams, including Kansas City early on, looked at him as a possible guard convert. The Packers can experiment: keep him at right tackle behind Zach Tom, cross-train him inside, or try him as a sixth lineman in heavy sets.

The fit with Green Bay’s wide-zone principles will be worth watching. The Packers ask their tackles to reach and climb with tempo. If Kinnard trims and keeps his pads down, he can lean on his length and power to win first contact and stay attached. If not, the guard path might be quicker. Either way, the price is small and the runway is long—this is a 2027 pick, not a near-term cost.

There’s also the roster math. Adding a young tackle could push a veteran backup toward the bubble by late summer, especially if Kinnard picks up protections and special-teams assignments (field-goal and punt protection are often the tiebreakers for back-end linemen). Green Bay likes to keep eight or nine linemen on the 53, and competition usually sorts it out.

For the Eagles, this is about clarity heading into the next phase of the offseason. The tackle room still runs through Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson, with Johnson’s return in-house easing worries about swing depth. Tyler Steen’s versatility, Cam Jurgens’ stability at center, and Landon Dickerson anchoring at guard give Philadelphia a core. Removing a developmental piece who needed reps he might not get keeps the pipeline clean.

For the Packers, it’s a bet on traits and coaching. If Kinnard clicks, they’ve turned a future Day 3 pick into a cost-controlled lineman who can play spot snaps or push for a starting job down the line. If not, the risk is tiny and the search continues.

Bottom line for both teams: a sensible move, different motives. The Eagles embrace flexibility and keep stacking future options. The Packers take a swing on size and power at a position where you never feel like you have enough.