updated 1:24 p.m. ET April 30, 2006

PHILADELPHIA - The Eagles made three trades Sunday to move up in the fourth round and select mammoth guard Max Jean-Gilles and wide receiver Jason Avant.

In the process, Philadelphia sent veteran defensive tackle Hollis Thomas to New Orleans and dealt starting left guard Artis Hicks to Minnesota.

The Eagles sent Thomas and a fourth-round pick (108th) to the Saints to move up nine spots to get Jean-Gilles, an All-American last season at Georgia.

The 6-foot-4, 356-pound Jean-Gilles can be overpowering in the running game. He also has quick feet in pass protection, despite his size. Jean-Gilles started 39 games at Georgia, playing tackle and guard. He might need to lose some weight to become more consistent.

After taking Jean-Gilles, the Eagles maneuvered their way back up in the fourth round by trading Hicks and a later fourth-round selection (127th) to the Vikings for a fourth-rounder (115th) and a sixth-rounder (185th). They quickly sent both of those picks to Green Bay for the fourth-round pick (109th) they used to select Avant.

The 6-foot, 213-pound Avant had 82 catches for 1,007 yards and 10 touchdowns his senior season at Michigan. He’s considered a possession receiver who could develop into a No. 2 wideout.

NFL DRAFT Draft HQ: Round-by-round, pick-by-pick recap   Video: top storylines from draft Borges: Jets get top grade; Bears, Bills blow it Opinion: Broncos put Plummer in tough spot USC's Leinart, Bush, White all fall in draft Second day for converted quarterbacks Notebook: Bloom hopes to blossom Texans happy to draft 'special' player Saints swoop quickly to nab Bush at No. 2 Titans thrilled to take Young | End White's slide Fans cheer when Jets pick Ferguson at No. 4 Leinart has 'no regrets' | Fall to hurt colleges Vote: Who had best, worst drafts? Vote: Which QB will start first?

It’s clear the Eagles will have a revamped offensive line blocking for Donovan McNabb, who missed half of last season with a sports hernia injury.

Second-round pick Winston Justice and Jean-Gilles could compete for starting jobs, while Hicks’ spot likely will go to Todd Herremans, a fourth-round pick last season. Justice provides insurance for right tackle Jon Runyan and left tackle Tra Thomas, who is coming off back surgery.

Jean-Gilles adds depth in the middle of the line. Hank Fraley, coming off shoulder surgery, is the incumbent starting center backed up by Jamaal Jackson. Former first-round pick Shawn Andrews is the right guard.

MORE FROM NFL

NFL Section Front

Like it or not, Lions to stay on Thanksgiving   Fantasy Fix: No more Romo?   PFTV Video: Possible coaching change for Jets PFT’s Picks: Happy Thanksgivings for Pack, ’Boys, Giants PFT: Orton, Eli probable for Thursday night game PFT: Shanahan meets with Bills, for seven hours PFT: Hester wants ‘moon’ talk behind him   PFT Extra: Should Rex Ryan be mad?   Slideshow: The Greatest traditions in sports   Vote: Do you watch the NFL on Thanksgiving? NFL Section Front   Add NFL headlines to your news reader: