So far in our offseason series we have identified that the Eagles have around $20m to spend in free agency. However, after giving extensions to Dallas Goedert, Jordan Davis, and Braden Mann, that number actually goes up to around $35m. From there the team can engage in extension talk with several team members, but expect Jalen Carter to be the priority followed by likely just one of Nakobe Dean, Reed Blankenship, and Jaelan Phillips. If I were a betting man, I’d say Phillips gets the extension, but all 3 are superfluous in their own way.
With the question of who else gets an extension likely up in the air until free agency begins, let’s talk about needs. The Eagles have several. Though the plan is always to fill all of these needs with upgrades, that doesn’t always happen. Look at last year for example. The team was in need of a Safety, Corner, and Tight End. Dallas Goedert ended up coming back and Andrew Mukuba was taken in the draft at the end of the 2nd round, but CB2 was a continual problem. What are the weak areas in need of targeting this offseason.
Biggest Needs
CB2 – Of all the targets on last year’s list, CB2 was the one that was never properly addressed, and it bit us all season. Most of us expected Isaiah Rodgers to come back on a decent contract, but unfortunately, he ended up having a standout year on a modest deal for the Minnesota Vikings. What a missed opportunity. Instead, Adoree Jackson and Kelee Ringo were tasked with the job and the team traded for Jakorian Bennett. Nobody worked out. The Eagles are blessed with All-Pros at the other 2 CB positions which makes the ineptitude at this one all the more confusing. Do not expect the team to go to the top of the market to fill the position, but a veteran like Jamel Dean from Tampa (who I wanted bad last year) is possible. Otherwise, I can a mid-round pick going to the position (again). Prediction: Veteran on 2-year deal, with a draft investment next year.
Safety – Though I am not bullish on it, the return of Reed Blankenship is probably the most likely solution here. However, if he gets an offer he can’t refuse in free agency, the Eagles will need somebody to play opposite of sophomore Andrew Mukuba next year (and it better not be Sydney Brown). The answer could even be Marcus Epps coming back on another smaller deal. Both Super Bowl teams have starting safeties who will be free agents after the game (Coby Bryant and Jaylinn Hawkins), but a good game may take them well beyond what the Eagles would spend. Prediction: Marcus Epps resigns on the cheap with a mid-round draft investment this year.
TE – For the last 2 decades, the Eagles have been pretty good about their tight end succession. Maybe it was their plan to draft Harold Fannin last year but were beaten to the punch in the 3rd round? I don’t know, but they are now left in a place where bringing back Dallas Goedert again is their best option. Depending on what happens with Goedert will determine whether the Eagles take his replacement in the 2nd round or the 3rd/4th. The TE market stinks and please save your pleas for Kyle Pitts. Even though he and Howie are Gators, there’s no chance he comes to Philly. Prediction: Goedert comes back but the Eagles take a stout Big Ten TE somewhere in the 3rd round.
Succession Plans
RT – Lane Johnson’s contract is designed to have 1 or 2 more seasons left. Despite the speculation, he is likely not announcing his retirement next week. Still, it is time to start planning for the future beyond the Hall of Famer to be. This means the draft. Last year, two gargantuan men were drafted/signed out of college, Cameron Williams and Hollin Pierce. These were lottery tickets that could become something in this league. Unfortunately, there has not been any indication that this is the case yet. If either showed promise, the succession decision would likely be put off another year. Instead, unless a situation presents itself at another position that the Eagles simply can’t refuse, I would bet that pick #23 or even a trade-up happens to land the RT of the future. Prediction: Since I think OT is a sure draft bet, let’s kick it up a notch by prognosticating Monroe Freeling out of Georgia.
QB2 – The Eagles tried to get a jump on this succession line last year by drafting local boy Kyle McCord. Unfortunately, he didn’t even end up making the team and was eventually plucked from the practice squad. What about Tanner McKee you ask? Well, he presents an interesting dilemma. Since he is in the last year of his contract, the Eagles will either trade him or try to sign him to an extension to remain the backup until they figure out what they are doing. I will still bet on a trade. Prediction: 4th round small school QB comes to Philly while McKee goes to Arizona and another Sam Howell-ish guy comes in to compete for QB2.
Depth
EDGE – You can never have too much EDGE depth. Unfortunatly, the Eagles don’t have any. Under contract next year are Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt. With the rest of our issues being addressed in the draft, EDGE would be a solid place to spend some free agent dollars. This could be with a premium contract for someone like Phillips, a veteran going ring chasing like Khalil Mack (I guess Joey Bosa too, but no thanks), or even both. Prediction: Phillips resigns for $20m AAV.
Offensive Guard – With Willie Lampkin set to come off Injured Reserve and play for the Eagles next season, guard might not seem like the likeliest place for improvement. Contracts aside, the interior line play last year was abysmal1 and needs improvement. I think we would all welcome back Mekhi Becton when he is released from the Chargers. A Steen trade would likely net a 5th round pick or so and would free up around $3.5m in cap. There’s a chance Dickerson gets the axe too, if not this year, then the year after. It is not too early to start thinking about his replacement. Prediction: A veteran like Becton signs to compete with Steen with the loser getting traded during camp.
WR3/4 – Darius Cooper is going to stick around, but Jahan Dotson will not. The Eagles need to stop messing around with big receivers and finally get the fastest goddamn guy they can in the 5th round. I don’t care how tall he is, just get me a burner that gets let loose a few times a game. Give me the guy the John Hightower and Quez Watkins were supposed to be. Of course, everything changes if AJ Brown leaves. That will accelerate WR to the top of the needs chart. I still doubt it. Prediction: The Eagles go WR earlier than you think, possibly even as high as round 2 and all hell breaks loose in Philadelphia.
Competition
Kicker – I have no idea what happened to Jake Elliot this year, but when the entire league seemed to be bombing kicks from 60+, Elliot could barely make it through regardless of distance. It got to the point that where you really couldn’t trust him at all. Unfortunately, his contract comes with a silly large cap hit if he is released and the Eagles likely won’t do anything, even bring in someone for competition. Prediction: Elliot makes us clench our butt cheeks all year.
- If you ever want to know why you shouldn’t trust PFF grades, look up Steen, Dickerson, and Jurgens. I watched every game last year and routinely saw my all world RB get immediately tackled the second he touched the ball. PFF has Steen and Dickerson as two of the better guards in the league and Jurgens at 21 of 40. Impossible. ↩︎
Philly Front Office 
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