Philly Front Office

Now that the NFL season has officially concluded, it is time to get ready for the fun stuff. Beginning on February 17th teams start designating franchise tags, then the scouting combine is on the 23rd, and finally March 9th is the start of the league new year and free agency. While franchise tags will change things up a bit, let’s dive into some free agent targets for the Eagles.

Eagles Offseason Part 1: The Salary Cap – Philly Front Office

Eagles Offseason Part 2: Extensions – Philly Front Office

Eagles Offseason Part 3: Team Needs – Philly Front Office

If you read any of my previous Eagles Offseason installments, you will know that we need another cornerback first and foremost. From there, depending on what happens with Reed Blankenship and Jaelan Phillips, we could need another starting safety and EDGE rusher. Tight end and right tackle succession plans are serious team issues, but will probably be dealt with at the draft. Finally, the roster needs to be rounded out with interior line depth on both sides of the ball.

Let’s look at the candidates, how much they will cost, and consider the likelihood of them joining the Eagles. Everyone in alphabetical order within position.

Cornerback

The Eagles are looking for a CB2 type so either a solid veteran who would take a discount to win a title or a young player with a pedigree who did not reach his protentional with his previous team. The trick here is to actually upgrade over the internal options like Kelee Ringo, Jakorian Bennett, and Mac McWilliams

• Jamel Dean
  • Dean looked like a possible trade candidate before the season then played his ass off this year possibly netting him a bigger contract than the Eagles would want to pay, even at 29 years old. However, Dean would be considered the most “solid” candidate and could be seen as a James Bradberry type when he first got to Philly.
  • Dean coming to Philly depends on whether they see fixing CB2 as the top priority. If it is, getting Dean in on 2-3 year deal worth around $15m per season could be on the table.
• Rasul Douglas
  • The old Eagle will be 32 before the season starts but continues to put up solid numbers. Think of him as the lower end version of Dean but a cheap upgrade over Adoree Jackson.
  • Douglas signed in Miami for basically the minimum last season. If he is willing to do the same this season (or something close), then he should be considered for the competition.
• Mike Hilton
  • Hilton is 32 and coming off of injury, but was effective as recently as 2024 with the Bengals. He is much like Douglas, but without the rebound season last year under his belt. This would be a pure minimum bet as a slot corner.
  • Not that they would have to decide, but a decision on where the Eagles want Cooper DeJean needs to be made for good. If he is your slot corner, which he probably is, then someone like Hilton is off the table. If he moves to the outside, more Flyers like Hilton need to be brought in.
• Josh Jobe
  • The former Eagle just won the Super Bowl ring he missed with the Eagles and could return to Seattle depending on other free agency decisions for the champs. He will be 28 years old and looking to make his first real money in the league after going undrafted out of Alabama.
  • Jobe would be a good story to come back, but someone will probably give him closer to $10m per season than you’d think and that’s not going to work for the level he would provide. The Eagles are only going to go high for someone like Dean with a proven track record.
• Alontae Taylor
  • Taylor is big, fast, and only 27. It was surprising that the Saints did not move him last year, which probably means they are going to try to keep him. If not, he would certainly be a big splash, likely costing around $10m+ per season.
  • The Eagles only go this route if they believe Taylor could blossom as the CB2, using his dynamic athleticism to take advantage of lesser WRs.
• Asante Samuel Jr
  • Considering the Eagles problems at CB2 last season, it was surprising that they did not sign Samuel last season. Maybe they went after him and were too worried about the medicals that forced him to miss most of the last 2 seasons. He ended up signing for the minimum in Pittsburgh and even getting into their playoff game against the Texans. Even better is that he plays on the outside traditionally.
  • Samuel is going to have an uphill battle to regain the trajectory of his career, but doing so in his father’s old stomping grounds wouldn’t be the worst place to improve his value. Locking down CB2 between Q and Coop on a 1 year deal would allow him to reach free agency again next year in the best possible situation. I like it now and I liked it last year.
• Eric Stokes
  • Stokes was maybe the only shining light on the Raiders last season. The former first round pick out of Georgia (!) signed for only $3.5m to go to Vegas and had by far his best season as a pro. His problem has been injuries that severely limited his once promising start in Green Bay. He was healthy all last season. The Raiders did not trade him at the deadline, suggesting they may want him back.
  • Considering his Georgia roots, you have to think Howie has his eye on him. If the Raiders fail to extend him, his value will be all over the map. Could he get $10m+ per season? Possibly, considering his high draft pedigree. If he does, it won’t be from the Eagles. Something around half that is a different story, basically righting the wrong of letting Isaiah Rodgers leave last season.
• Jaylen Watson
  • Watson is the kind of guy who gets paid in free agency. While most would expect him to go back to the Chiefs where he started the last 2 years, that’s also the reason some lesser team will pay him. He won rings in his first 2 seasons, so he is going for the bag.
  • He’s here because people will ask about him, but if he gets $15m-$20m per season, there’s no chance.
• Tariq Woolen
  • Woolen is both the most gifted CB you’ve ever seen and maddening. Guys his size (6’4″, 200 LBs) are not supposed to have 4.2 speed. Still while he lit it up as a rookie, he was out of the starting lineup for periods this season. The Seahawks will probably move on and someone (like Dallas) will likely over pay him.
  • If Woolen wanted to put himself in the best position to get REALLY paid, he would come to the Eagles on a 1/$8m contract, be CB2, and learn from Vic Fangio. He’ll be 27 in May though, so it would be tough for him to turn down a real long term deal.
• Nahshon Wright
  • Wright just went from futures contract to the Pro Bowl based on 5 picks. However, he also gave up 8 TDs in coverage. He is 6’4″ and explosive, but not exceptionally fast. While that’s not ideal for our coverage needs, his ability to ballhawk is something the defense could really use.
  • How much is he going to get? Interceptions usually get you paid, but considering all the other negatives, it’s tough. The Eagles value consistency, so I wouldn’t count on this one.

Eagles Offseason Part 1: The Salary Cap

EDGE

• Trey Hendrickson
  • The Eagles are always going to be linked to the top of the market with EDGE rushers and that’s Hendrickson this year. While he had back to back 17.5 sack seasons, that dropped with his health and holdout this season. It sucks he didn’t get what he wanted last season because he now hits the market as damaged goods and 31 years old. Expect someone to give him a large short term deal to see if there is more in the tank here.
  • It won’t be the Eagles.
• Boye Mafe
  • The first wave of the great Seattle draft rush is finally coming up for deals and Mafe will likely be the first to leave. After a somewhat promising first 3 seasons, Mafe lost his starting job this season and only had 2 sacks. The former 2nd round pick tested out of his mind at the combine 4 years ago and should be able to find a decent deal. something around $10m per season is likely.
  • This would be a purely Vic Fangio pick if he came to Philly. Essentially, he would need to know how to get Mafe back on track to unlock the promise of his athletic potential.
• Odafe Oweh
  • The Hackensack New Jersian was traded midseason from the Ravens to the Chargers and put himself back on the map. He went from 10 sacks last year, to no sacks in 5 games, to 7.5 sacks in 12 games. Oweh is purely a situational pass rusher and could be looking at a Bryce Huff type deal at 27 years old.
  • Unfortunately because of Huff, a 1 dimensional player looking to get paid is not a bet the Eagles are likely to make again.
• Kwity Paye
  • Paye has been a solid but unexceptional player throughout his 5 years in Indy. After consecutive 8 sack seasons, he needed to break out this season. Unfortunately, he regressed.
  • I thought he should have been traded before the season and all involved probably wished that would have happened. If Paye wants a shorter deal, the Eagles could offer him a place but opportunity would be lacking.
• K’Lavon Chaisson
  • Chaisson went from the practice squad to the Super Bowl in 2 years. After playing for $3m last year, he’s in line for a big raise after a big season. Basically, his career is back where it’s supposed to be after completely busting out of Jacksonville.
  • Does that mean he gets $30m per season? No chance. $15m to $20m though, that’s on the table. His inconsistency will be weighed against durability concerns for Jaelan Phillips and will probably get similar contracts. I doubt New England let’s him go though.

Eagles Offseason Part 2: Extensions

Safety

When it comes to safety the Eagles are not going to break the bank and someone would need to be both an upgrade over Reed Blankenship in talent and Marcus Epps for the money.

• Jaquan Brisker
  • Brisker played the full season after missing 12 games last year but wasn’t great. He wasn’t bad either and figures to be a middle of the road safety going forward. He is only 27, but his best two years are now 2 years behind him.
  • While coming to PA might be good for him, Brisker is neither an upgrade over Reed performance wise or an upgrade over Epps for the price. Because of the Penn State tie, we will be linked to him, but a union is doubtful.
• Bryan Cook
  • Cook has started every game for the Chiefs the last 2 years and is very good in coverage even if he does not have gaudy stats.
  • Cook is probably on the Eagles radar and is a level up from Blankenship. He would instantly become the elder statesman of the defense. Would the Eagles pay him $15m+ per season? I highly doubt it.
• Nick Cross
  • You may not have heard of Cross, but he is someone who is up the Eagles alley. While he was not good for the Colts last season, he is a starting level safety. He is also only 25 years old. He is someone with great physical tools and size who needs a better situation to put it all together.
  • If he will take something in the 2/$15m range, he will be the Eagles starting safety next season.
• Alohi Gilman
  • Gilman was traded to the Ravens from the Chargers midseason and was fine. He is a starter level safety but nothing special. Still, that could mean something to an Eagles team in need of competence on the cheap in the secondary.
  • His previous contract was for 2/$10m and he is now 2 years older at 27. Anything more than that would not fly with the Eagles.
• Jaylinn Hawkins
  • Hawkins resigned with the PAtriots this past season for less than $2m and ended up as a huge bargain. The 6-year vet had 4 picks and started 15 games. He also graded out as one of the best safeties in football according to PFF.
  • While Hawkins was very good this year, breaking out for 1 good season at age 28 doesn’t make for a huge deal in free agency. However, all those same reasons likely mean he will take the best offer he can get. While he might be an upgrade over Reed, it wouldn’t be much and they would likely get similar deals.
• Jalen Thompson
  • Thompson will be 28 and has started the last 5 years in Arizona. He is known as a sure tackler and reliable starter. This was the last year in his first extension that paid him $36m over 3 years. He will likely want more than that considering the rise in the safety market, but it shouldn’t be much.
  • It’s 50/50 whether he gets a better contract than Blankenship and can be considered similar level players. All things being equal, bring back Reed.
• Ar’Darius Washington
  • Washington tore his Achillies last May and made it back by the end of the season. He is undersized for a safety, but plays very well in coverage, even taking reps as a slot corner. Think Cooper DeJean VERY light.
  • Considering the versatility, Washington could be interesting and should come very cheap. Those are things that interest the Eagles.

Eagles Offseason Part 3: Team Needs

Depth/Other

• Mekhi Becton
  • Guard
  • It seems like every Eagles fan wants this guy back. He’s technically not a free agent, but he did not do very well with the Chargers last year and will likely be released. He has a very solid first stint in Philly.
  • Becton is a buy low candidate but would not be coming back to the same situation. With no Jeff Stoutland, would the Eagles be interested in a reunion? Honestly, for less than $5m, absolutely.
• Romeo Doubs
  • Wide Receiver
  • Doubs is just one of the latest in a long line of productive but not amazing Packers receivers. He’s essentially a medium #2 high end #3 receiver. Guys like him get overpayed these days thanks to Christian Kirk
  • The Eagles spending real money on a receiver who is not special doesn’t make sense to me. They need a late round draft pick to really hit, not to go out and buy one
• Isaiah Likely
  • TE
  • The Eagles need new blood in the tight end room and with Mark Andrews’s new contract, Likely isn’t… I won’t… ensured a place on the roster. However, as a backup, he won’t be breaking the bank in free agency, something around 3/$30m
  • That could work for the Eagles. This would be an investment for the future, taking them out of the TE market come draft time.
• David Onyemata
  • Defensive Tackle
  • Onyemata just turned 33 and has likely entered the mercenary stage of his career after 3 years in Atlanta. PFF absolutely loves him, even if the on field production is not there anymore. He has not made the playoffs since 2020 and will likely take a cheaper deal to play on a winner. His previous contract was 3/$35m.
  • Sound like an Eagles target to you too? If Onyemata will take a sub $5m deal to try to chase a championship, he could get some nice run as a rotational player along the Eagles interior offensive line, not unlike how Brandon Graham was used this season.
• Kyle Pitts
  • Tight End
  • Kyle Pitts finally made good on his draft slot this past year, assuming a tight end should ever be picked over a slew of likely All Pros. Still, good teams won’t forget his lack of reliability over the rest of his career. He is destined to go to a bad team for too much money.
  • It won’t be the Eagles.
• Sheldon Rankins
  • Defensive Tackle
    • Rankins was one of the guys I was looking for at the trade deadline before the Texans went on their big run. At this point in his career, he’s a 32 year old DT mercenary. While he could test the market, his situation in the Houston defense is kind of perfect. Expect him to be back.
    • Rankins is not old enough and too good to take the kind of money they Eagles would want to give him. Think Ndamukong Suh. Give him another year or two.
• Rashid Shaheed
  • Wide Receiver
  • Shaheed is the speed element the Eagles have been lacking. In fact, I can’t remember the last speed merchant in Philly who could actually catch the ball. Was it Torrey Smith?
  • Unfortunately, Shaheed played himself into a much bigger contract than the Eagles would like to pay a WR3. He’s going to get $15m+ per season.

This list is going to change. Some of these guys will get extensions and more guys will get released. I’ll do my best to update before the league new year when it will be time for real predictions.

All data courtesy of Spotrac, Pro Football Reference, and PFF