Legal tampering period is done, free agency will officially start today at 4 PM, and a cluster of big trades and big deals have already taken place. We now enter a period where a few top tier players remain, but mostly mid tier players remain.
This was a turning point period in 2017, where Eagles put together a super bowl roster. Let’s have a look at the current transactions, and remaining options out there for the Eagles:
Retained: Rodney McLeod (2 years), Jalen Mills (1 year), Nate Sudfeld (1 year), Hasan Ridgeway (1 year).
Signed: Javon Hargrave (3 years)
Let go: Malcolm Jenkins, Kamu Grugier-Hill, Jordan Howard, Big V, Nigel Bradham, Corey Clement
Despite making just one notable move in the early days of free agency (signing NT Javon Hargrave), the Eagles still have the sixth-best Super Bowl 55 odds across online sportsbooks listed here. With an average futures price of +1400, Philadelphia has a 6.7% implied probability of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in 2021.
The holes on the roster – most-notably at receiver and cornerback – are fixable with money and draft capital, and there are numerous Super Bowl-caliber pieces already in place. But which free agents should the Eagles hone in on for phase 2?
WR Robby Anderson
An undrafted free agent in 2016, Anderson has finished his rookie deal and will look to cash in. His blazing 4.36 speed amassed a solid production with around 800 yards and 6 TDs per year in every season since 2017. Add 50 plays of 20+ yards in his 4-year career and you start to see a real deep-threat.
Injuries have never been an issue for the Jets wideout, having missed only 2 games of 62 possible.
Anderson has been reported to demand around 10 million/year, which may be too high of a number for the Eagles.
The Eagles have a deep need for speed and we know the team have been high on him for a while.
CB Desmond Trufant
In 2019, Trufant suffered a toe injury, broke his forearm, and only started 9 games during the season, in which he recorded 7 passes defended and 4 interception.
Prior to 2019, Trufant has been a top 40 CB at worst in terms of yards allowed per coverage snap, peaking in 2015 where he allowed only 0.79 yards/snap (9th best in league), and only gave up a catch for every 17th snap he played. He’s an athletic guy, proven by his 4.38 forty and 6.67 3-cone from back at the combine.
Trufant has a high ceiling, and could help the Eagles big time at CB.
S Ha-ha Clinton Dix
Going into his 7th season, Clinton Dix is already looking for his 4th team. The 27 year-old pro bowler primarily plays free safety, but is a very capable tackler.
Clinton Dix has not given up a passer rating of >80 in his career, and he already has 19 interceptions in his career. The only season where he gave up more than 1 TD was in 2018. Further, he has graded nicely as a tackler in his entire career, missing roughly on every 14th tackle, which puts him in top 20 conversation of all DBs.
Eagles resigned Jalen Mills and Rodney McLeod to short term contracts, but neither played well in 2019, and neither are guaranteed a starting job. Clinton Dix could help getting over the hole that is left behind after Malcolm Jenkins.
WR Breshad Perriman
The 26th overall selection from 2015 has been an enormous disappointment so far. But then came 2019, where something seemed to click. Perriman got 650 yards and 6 TDs as the 3rd option in TB, which included some ridiculous plays:
Did you know Perriman ran a 4.24 sec 40 time at his pro day? Did you know that he is only 26? And what if I told you he can be had for cheap given his track record of switching teams and underperforming for 2/4 of his first years?
Despite missing his entire rookie season on IR, Perriman is yet another depth option that would add some quality speed to the field if e.g. DeSean Jackson can’t stay healthy or they end up in a situation similar to 2019.
WR Phillip Dorsett
Dorsett is an under-the-radar possibility for the Eagles. The former Colt has recorded 500 yards in just one season of his five so far (so perfect for the birds, right?). After joining the Patriots, the potential of Dorsett shined through. With 5 TDs, 6 catches for 20+ yards, and clear display of his 4.33 speed, he should be considered an option.
Injuries have never been a huge deal for Dorsett, although he dealt with a minor hamstring injury that kept him out of 2 games in 2019.
At 27, Phillip is a cheaper, fast, and a young depth option for the Eagles. He won’t solve the problem, but he could absolutely help.
CB Logan Ryan
The former Titans and Patriots CB, who just turned 29, is looking for his third NFL home. Ryan has been rumored as a leader in the locker room, and although he doesn’t have a pro bowl to his resume, he has held opposing QBs to a passer rating of <90 in 4 of 7 seasons.
In 2019, he recorded 5 INTs and 12 pass breakups.
Ryan is by no means a top tier CB, but could provide some stability as the Eagles look for long term answers in the secondary.
CB Prince Amukamara
Prince is a well-known name for Eagles fans from his time with the Giants from 2011-2015, but now the 30-year-old veteran is looking for a new team after serving the Bears well for 3 years.
Prince is a tremendous athlete with really good speed. He is a very good tackler, brings physicality to the defense, and in 9 seasons, he has only given up a passer rating >90 4 times, getting 10 interceptions and 43 pass breakups in the process.
Prince is a cheaper option that would make sense in the shorter term, but the veteran has not shown signs of slowing down lately.
Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images
