Philly Front Office

Despite not winning a playoff game last year, the Eagles still have one of the most complete and young rosters in the NFL. That doesn’t mean there weren’t holes to start the offseason though. When a team is a legitimate contender, they are only as strong as their weakest link. Howie Roseman has been putting in the work to not just fill the gaps, but make them stronger. Here is what the Eagles did, what they have left to do, and how they can do it…

A Chain is Only as Strong as Its Weakest Link

Gaps Filled

• TE1 – Dallas Goedert had a good season last year, catching 11 TDs and probably could have received a solid contract in free agency. Instead, he took a 1/$7m contract to stay with the team. Not only do we end up with cutting his cap charge in half, but we have our TE1 back
• CB2 – When Darius Slay did not come back for 2025, that left the Eagles scrounging for a starting corner. Granted, we have two of the best in Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, but with most teams playing 3 WR sets, that left Adoree Jackson or Kelee Ringo on and island on the outside. It rarely went well. Instead of going the veteran route again, Howie brought in Tariq Woolen on a 1/$15m contract. Woolen is very tall, and very fast (spiderchart). After losing his job midway through the season, he ended up starting in the playoffs for the Super Bowl champion Seahawks. He brings an incredibly high upside to the position.
• WR3 – For years, the team tried Quez Watkins as their WR3 speed threat. It didn’t work. Last year, Jahan Dotson made the most of his opportunities, but he was not the dynamic speed threat we’ve been missing. Enter Hollywood Brown. He is a former 1st round pick who never really broke out with the Ravens, Cardinals, or Chiefs but wouldn’t be considered a bust either. He has elite speed and can finally bring the offense the blow the top off receiver it needs.
• Situational EDGE – Last year the Eagles threw short contracts on Azeez Ojulari, Josh Uche, and Za’Darius Smith. They were so bad that Brandon Graham came out of retirement. This year not only is BG already coming back, but Arnold Ebiketie has been brought in from the Falcons. Ebiketie grades out as an effective pass rusher but also someone with a high upside and low downside. Yes, the Eagles pass rush unit is in need of anything considering it was just Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt, but they refused to go cheap.
• TE3 – Johnny Mundt is not someone anyone has ever heard of. He does nothing flashy and is not even expected to catch passes. HOWEVER, the Eagles got no blocking out of their TE positions last year and Grant Calcaterra probably should have been kicked into the sun for his efforts. Howie left no stone unturned, brought in Mundt, and I’m sure Saquon Barkley is happy.
• Punter – Braden Mann was a free agent and while punter may seem easily replaceable, not having a good one is a killer. It’s one of those positions that if you are doing everything right, the fans should barely know you are there. Mann is a good one.

Eagles Dominoes

Gaps Remaining

• Safety – While Nakobe Dean had an in-house replacement ready for his departure (Jihaad Campbell), the same was not true for Reed Blankenship. Andrew Mukuba is the other starter, but there is literally no one ready to start by his side. No, Sydney Brown is not an option.
• Starting EDGE – Jaelan Phillips was the free agent the Eagles could least afford to lose. While he isn’t the best of the best at his position, he filled his roll on the Eagles defense to a tee. Despite not tallying sacks, he was a disruptive force and a difference maker. Unfortunately, the Panthers threw the moon at him because he was the best EDGE on the market. That’s the problem, there are no other free agents to simply throw money at.
• Draft Freedom – The Eagles need to think about the future at a few positions including Right Tackle, Guard, EDGE, QB2, and possibly WR. Not having any glaring holes to fill makes it much easier to draft the best player available rather than reaching for a place of need.

Gap Fillers

• Post-Extension Vets – After a guy gets paid, the next order of business is winning a championship. When that’s not possible on the team that signs them, it is usually in the best interest of both parties to make a trade
  • Maxx Crosby – EDGE – Raiders: The Crosby Saga continues after the Ravens screwed everything up. He’s great and will still cost a ton. Not sure the Eagles want to trade a 1st round pick though, let alone two.
  • Jonathan Greenard – EDGE – Vikings: This is the rumor with the most legs. Greenard wants a new contract and the Vikings do not want to give it to him. The Eagles probably do not want to offer more than a Day 3 pick though considering.
  • Jessie Bates – Safety – Falcons: The Falcons are a mess and Bates is in the final year of his contract. His base salary is only $13m which means the Eagles an turn that into a puny cap hit or even give him a short extension at 29.
  • Budda Baker – Safety – Cardinals: Baker has long been rumored to the Eagles but those rumors always end with him signing an extension with the Cardinals. His play has dropped off, he’s 30, and the Cardinals suck though. If there was ever a time he was going to move, it is now. He makes a $14.4m base this year.
  • Chase Young – EDGE – Saints: I doubt he moves considering he signed an extension last year and comes with a ton of dead cap, but Young would be the perfect addition to this team. He is only 27, had 10 sacks, and is under contract. It would be a bold move but would require a big haul.
  • Josh Hines-Allen – EDGE – Jaguars: This is not likely, but if a deal were to happen it would need to happen soon. JHA has an option bonus about to trigger on Friday. Before that happens he is much more movable. If they are in a position to choose between him and Travon Walker, there might be an opportunity for a trade, but it will be expensive.
  • Josh Sweat – EDGE – Cardinals: Old friend Josh is going nowhere fast in Arizona and had a good season. A trade back to the Eagles might be good for both sides but will probably take a 2nd round pick…or Tanner McKee???
• Pre-Extension Rookie Scale – many of these guys will sign extensions in the next few months, but it is not a given. If they can’t come to an agreement, they are destined for a franchise tag or a trade.
  • Travon Walker – EDGE – Jaguars: Walker is entering his 5th year option (same as Jordan Davis) and has yet to sign an extension. Odds are he is working on a blockbuster with Jacksonville, but if there is an impasse, he could get a draft haul for an already young team. They might be in a position to choose between Hines-Allen and Walker.
  • Kayvon Thibodeaux – EDGE – Giants: I don’t want anything to do with him, but he is on the block and has pass rush upside that is lost in New York.
  • Daxton Hill – Safety/CB – Bengals: Poaching from the Bengals defense is not exactly a great idea, but Hill has been consistent throughout his career, has versatility, and is playing under his 5th year option. That checks a lot of boxes for the Eagles.
  • Brian Branch – Safety – Lions: Branch has been awesome in his young career and the Lions probably do not want to send him to a rival in waiting, but their roster is getting expensive fast and they may not want to pay a safety top dollar which they are going to have to do soon. Granted, the Eagles might not want to do that either, but it is worth taking a look.

We don’t know what they are going to do, but the Eagles are loaded with draft picks and cash and you know are trying to fill all their gaps before the draft. More moves are coming.

Stats: Pro Football Reference

Contracts: Spotrac