We’re only a few days in and free agency season has already exploded with a large portion of the top free agents signing with new teams and some wild trades to boot. While signings will still be made, we have entered what many consider to be the second wave of free agency. With the big names off the board, teams are now in search of help in the form of underrated young talent or savvy veteran leadership that can take their franchises to the next level. The Eagles are consistently active throughout free agency and no doubt have multiple players still on their radar. Rest assured Howie Roseman is not done making moves.
Taking that into consideration, let’s look at some of the names that make sense for the Eagles.
QB Blake Bortles
It hurt a bit to type the name out after seeing dreadful season after dreadful season from the former Jacksonville Jaguars’ signal caller. Nonetheless, he is a borderline starting talent and the Eagles could use a backup with some starting and playoff experience. Like him or not, Bortles would be one of the best backup quarterbacks in the league.
RB T.J. Yeldon
The Eagles missed out on Tevin Coleman despite his very reasonable asking price. The same could be said for Mark Ingram, who was well within Philadelphia’s price range. Perhaps Howie is content plucking a rookie out of the draft to add to the backfield rotation, but I wouldn’t count out the possibility of adding a vet to the mix. Yeldon, while never quite fulfilling his potential, has been a rock solid contributor to a very shaky Jacksonville offence. With three seasons with over 100 carries and two with more than 50 receptions under his belt, he could be a great addition to the carousel.
WR Chris Conley
Welcoming Desean Jackson back to Philly was a huge step towards re-establishing what was a questionable receiving corps in 2018. The Eagles could still stand to add some talent to the group, especially with Mack Hollins and Shelton Gibson surrounded by question marks. Enter Chris Conley, who was with Head Coach Doug Pederson during his time in Kansas City.
Four professional years with only 1,200 receiving yards to show for it doesn’t exactly inspire confidence. Conley hasn’t shown he can be a reliable chain-mover thus far in his career. What he does bring to the table is a 97th percentile SPARQ-x score — which measures speed, power, reaction, agility and quickness — and tenacious blocking. He may not fill the hole left by Golden Tate, but he sure could add an interesting wrinkle to the offence.
DT Corey Liuget
The Chargers declined Liuget’s option making him a free agent, but it was more due to the time spent off the field than on it. Dealing with injuries and suspensions over the last two years, he simply wasn’t worth his $9.5 million cap hit. Both Liuget and the Chargers have said they are open to a reunion at a reduced rate, but perhaps the Eagles could persuade the DT to bet on himself with a short term deal. Liuget could ease back into a more full-time role in the Eagles rotation and function as the yin to new acquisition Malik Jackson’s yang. According to PFF Liuget was a top five interior lineman against the run in 2018.
LB Mark Barron
Eagles fans, myself included, were hoping the team might take a swing at C.J. Mosely, Anthony Barr or Kwon Alexander, some of the top free agents at their position. All three have signed with new teams and not one of them is in Philadelphia. Instead, they may consider Mark Barron. The former LA Ram is a converted safety which always seems to resonate with Jim Schwartz. Versatility is the name of the game for the Eagles defense and they can always use a player with a background in multiple positions. Barron was criticized for his play while with the Rams and despite being a starter he was released by LA with two years left on his contract. He never quite reached his plateau and at 30 years old, we may have seen his best play.
However, the Eagles aren’t necessarily in need of a three-down linebacker. They are constantly in dime and nickel sets and are likely to add a young play maker in the draft. Nigel Bradham and Paul Worrilow could use another savvy running mate to help develop whatever prospect does come to the team. Barron has been one of the better linebackers against the run according to PFF, and was the Rams top rated defender in Superbowl LIII. His time at safety will help him in Schwartz downhill defense. Switching to a 4-3 should also help him take advantage of his skill set.
LB Brandon Marshall
The Broncos defense has fallen off in a major way over the last two seasons and Brandon Marshall’s play has followed suit. However, at 29 years old and just two years removed from a 100+ tackle season, he has more than enough in the tank to be a solid contributor. He has struggled with some nagging injuries over the last few seasons, but the Eagles have been patient with players with injury history. He has almost exclusively played ILB in 3-4 schemes so far in his professional career, but his athleticism should help him bridge the gap.
CB Darqueze Dennard
Dennard has had an up and down career with the Bengals, but then the whole Cincinnati defense has been up and down for the last half-decade. His shortcomings are in coverage, where he has been inconsistent. However, he’s been fantastic against the run and Jim Schwartz loves a corner that can tackle. While he’s not the solution at the number two corner spot, he could provide some much needed veteran leadership to a very young group of corners.
CB Brian Poole
With plenty of developmental pieces on the shelf for the Eagles, there will be some inevitable movement in the Eagles secondary this season. While he struggled in the playoffs, Avonte Maddox was the most impressive young addition to the secondary. The question is where he will play in 2019. He began the season as the nickel corner before moving to safety and then outside corner. Ronald Darby’s future with the team being in doubt, the Eagles are without a number two corner for the upcoming season. Jim Schwartz’s solution might be to permanently move Maddox to the outside.
With Sidney Jones looking shaky in the slot, the coaching staff could look to previous unknown Cre’Von LeBlanc to man the nickel position.
Handing the starting role to either of these youngsters does not come without questions and the best solution may be to enlist veteran help. This isn’t a loaded class of free agent corners, so there are limited options. Poole’s play has declined some over the last few seasons, but he has dominant games and shows flashes of top end potential. Moreover, he is physical against the run and a very successful blitzer. On the rare occasion that Schwartz does bring blitzes, it’s often Malcolm Jenkins from the nickel position.
S Clayton Geathers
Geathers has made his name as a box safety for the Colts, but struggled with injuries in 2018 and will likely be replaced by younger options in Indianapolis. While another safety that excels close to the line of scrimmage isn’t a top need for the Eagles — they are much more in need of a high free safety — Malcolm Jenkins isn’t getting any younger. While I don’t suggest replacing Jenkins, he played nearly 100% of Philadelphia’s defensive snaps in 2018 and that’s simply not sustainable for a 30+ year old strong safety. Geathers could function as a third safety for the Eagles and could help take the edge off the defense’s fearless leader. At only 26 years of age, he would also be able to grow into a possible successor. Geathers may be after a starting role, which the Eagles won’t be able to give him, and that may throw a wrench into the plans.
S Eric Berry
Injuries have kept Berry from being the standout player we saw earlier in his career. Due a heap of money over the next few seasons, the Chiefs were destined to cut him after acquiring Tyrann Matthieu. It’s only been two years since the man was a top 100 player. He also has ties with Doug Pederson. While strong safety isn’t the Eagles biggest need, everything that applied to Geathers applies to Berry. It may also prolong his career to join a team with entrenched starters. He could very well want a multi-year contract with guarantees after his tumultuous experience working through injuries, but perhaps he is willing to part with starter money to get another chance at a ring before he retires.
Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
