Defensive Linemen
Vinny Curry bleeds midnight green. While he’s not the same Vinny Curry he was in his last stint with the Birds, he is still a very solid rotational run-stopper and has plenty of experience to offer a young group of pass rushers. The Eagles could probably convince him to stay for a hometown discount, but they could also use that money to flash at a free agent. If the price tag is right, there’s no reason the Eagles shouldn’t bring him back. However, the team’s young players need all the playing time they can get, and it’s unclear if Curry is ready to concede a chunk of his already limited snaps (approximately 33.6%).
As much as Tim Jernigan brings to this defense, availability is not one of them. Even though he — begrudgingly — took a pay cut to be here last season, it seems unlikely he would double down. The Eagles will have Malik Jackson back at some point and are very high on Hassan Ridgeway as a third defensive tackle. The Eagles need someone that can stay healthy opposite Fletcher Cox, and Jernigan has not. As a personal favorite, Jernigan will be missed, but will have no trouble finding another team in the spring.
Speaking of Hassan Ridgeway, it looks as if the Eagles have pegged him as the man for the future. He’s still a young player and doesn’t have the stat sheet that Jernigan does, but he should be extended a similar deal to the one Timmy played under this season. That number may rise depending on his performances yet to come, but for now it seems justified.
Linebackers
Time again to consider Nigel Bradham’s affordability. Admittedly, his contract is too expensive. However, the way he fits the defense makes him hard to eschew. On top of that, free-agent linebacking options will be somewhat limited, especially compared to this summer — when the Eagles did not acquire any of the top linebacker prospects and recently cut the one they did pick up.
The Eagles feel pretty confident in TJ Edwards right now. If they feel he can take over, the team will have a club option on Bradham’s deal both this year and next. In this scenario, they keep him but may ask him to restructure or look to trade him for a mid to late-round pick.
Kamu Grugier-Hill looks like he’ll be in the Eagles plans for the foreseeable future. He still hasn’t cemented himself as a full-time starter, but the Birds may be willing to pay him. $4.5M/year is the same as Mychal Kendricks got from Seattle, and a tad less than Kyle Van Noy and Kiko Alonso received from New England and Miami, respectively.
Defensive Backs
Rodney McLeod’s figure is straightforward. $4.5M is more than he made last season after reworking his contract but less than he was offered in the original deal. The dreadful performance of the Eagles secondary has overshadowed just how good of a player McLeod has been. With Malcolm Jenkins slowly edging towards retirement, the Eagles are in a position where they need to keep McLeod. The team has watched young safety after young safety stroll over to other teams and it doesn’t seem as if Rudy Ford is being groomed for a defensive role.
While the Eagles’ depth at cornerback shows much more promise, the team has again painted itself into a corner — no pun intended. Realistically, the Birds need to keep either Jalen Mills, Ronald Darby, or make a move for a free-agent starter. Rasul Douglas has demonstrated both his ceiling and his floor; the former is truly hope-inducing, the latter is straight-up ugly. The Sidney Jones experiment may be over and done with after this season.
Cre’von Leblanc has not yet been activated from IR, which is not the news Eagles fans were hoping for. Realistically, the man has only started 14 regular-season games in his three-year career and he can’t be expected to single-handedly spark a 180. With the current uncertainty surrounding the Eagles medical staff, the team may do well not to rush Leblanc back from injury, even if he is showing signs of health. It’s been a theme of late for players to return only to re-aggravate existing injuries or suffer related ones.
Regarding Andrew Sendejo, the Eagles have always valued their 3rd safety position, but they have had success finding someone to fill the void in free agency. Plus, it may finally be the year for the Eagles to draft Malcolm Jenkins’ successor after the team being connected to so many safety prospects last April. Expect Sendejo to field offers for more money or an expanded role.
Special Teams
Rick Lovato’s contract will be similar to his current one. $1M is rounded up.
Jake Elliott has been one of the most consistent kickers in the league over the last three seasons. $2.5M is at the low end of the upper echelon kickers. It may seem steep, but in all honesty, the final contract may actually amount to more. Plenty of teams will be willing to shell out good money for a dependable kicker and the Eagles do not want to have kicking problems. Whatever the final offer is from other teams, the Eagles will get a chance to match.
Restructure and trade candidates are listed on the next page
.Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
