Free agent additions
Adam Caplan noted on Inside the Birds that the Eagles will go wide receiver heavy in the draft, with a reliance on free agency to answer defensive questions.
He mentions Breshad Perriman as a possible target, but says he may get $8-10 million. Geoff Mosher thinks hes more in the $6-7 million range.
The latter will be the range I expect the Eagles to spend on a wide receiver or two.
Defensively, checkbook is open. Time to see who will wear midnight green:
- Byron Jones – 5 years $95 million, $50 million guaranteed
- Beau Allen – 2 year $10 million
- Nick Kwiatkoski – 4 years $20 million
- De’Vondre Campbell – 3 years $15 million
- Carl Nassib – 3 years $9 million
- Breshad Perriman – 1 year $7.5 million
- Dennis Kelly – 1 year $3 million
- Logan Ryan – 3 years $33 million $20 million guaranteed
Whole lot of money being handed out on defense, with $48 million of total annual value handed out. What? Eagles don’t have that much cap? I know, Howie will work his magic. With the cap increasing next year to upwards of $40 million more, he can defer payments to lessen the cap hit in 2020.
I fully expect the draft to be offense heavy, that leaves free agency to be the defensive focus.
My reasoning for each signing:
Jones is the best corner on the market. I know, I know, that hasn’t been the best for the Eagles in years past. But you cannot keep neglecting something because you had bad prior experiences. Are you done dating because that guy/girl ghosted you last week? Ok, maybe you are. But you can still get out there again! The Eagles need to brush off toxic ex’s like Liam does (sorry) and finally get the one.
Allen was a great fit on the defensive line as a run clogger. He’d be welcome back with open arms. Only 29 in November, he’d provide nice depth behind Cox and Jackson.
If you don’t know about my affinity for Kwiatkoski, you haven’t been reading my articles. That hurts. Although relatively unproven, he showed flashes of dominance towards the end of last season for the Bears. The Eagles met with him prior to the 2016 draft, so the connection was made a long time ago.
Campbell has the Marquand Manuel connection now in Philly, although Manuel is DB’s coach. Campbell provides production at a position that the Eagles need it. He had a career high in tackles in 2019 (129) and would immediately start.
Nassib is a local kid. Born in West Chester, high school in Malvern, college at Penn St. Philly boy through and through. He had 12.5 sacks in two years with the Bucs after 5.5 in two years with the Browns. He has experience in the wide nine from when he was at Penn State (15.5 sacks his junior year)
Perriman had a really nice end of the year, having the third most receiving yards in the league from week 13-17 with 506 and 20 yards per reception. But prior to that, he had 226 yards total and only 14 yards per reception. He’ll get a one year prove it deal to show his production wasn’t a fluke. If he performs, then he gets extended.
Kelly, aka the guy who got away to catch a touchdown in the playoffs, provides veteran depth behind Dillard.
Wait, a slot corner? Yep. Remember me saying McLeod is gone? Well, Avonte Maddox takes his spot. Marquand Manuel has experience converting corners to safety, and Maddox will reap the benefits of his teachings. Ryan provides veteran leadership in the DB room with Jones, and also provides a very good slot coverage.
Finally, check out my mock draft on the next page that puts all of free agency into account.
Mandatory Photo Credit: AP Photo/Vasha Hunt
