In one week, every NFL franchise will be able to begin the free agency process as the legal tampering period begins.How should the Eagles approach the frantic period?
Top free agents like J.C. Jackson, Davante Adams, and hundreds of other players will be able to “commit” and speak to franchises willing to offer the cash. And while not every free agent has made a deal during this time, it’s a great opportunity to see which NFL Franchises will be buyers, and which ones will be silent during the free agency period.
Here are five upcoming free agents the Eagles should target and speak to when next Monday rolls around.
Harold Landry – DE for Tennessee Titans
The Titans need to make a lot of roster decisions heading into this offseason. While Tennessee currently projects to be a few million over the cap, a few restructures will be on the horizon but Landry’s future with the team is in jeopardy after a career year.
Landry was with the Titans for four years, totaled 12 sacks last season, and actually made the Pro Bowl. Landry has really improved as a pass rusher. Spotrac calculated a potential contract at around $17.1 million per year. While that may seem like a lot, remember that Landry is only 25 and would be an immediate starter if Philadelphia came calling.
Terrell Edmunds – Safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers
While the production has not been there from Edmunds over the last four years in Pittsburgh, some of that could be due to the scheme the Steelers played in. If the Eagles aren’t comfortable bringing back Anthony Harris or god forbid Rodney McLeod, Edmunds will come much cheaper than other free agent safeties like Mathieu or Williams.
Spotrac calculated his potential contract to a three-year deal worth about six million per year. This would certainly be a cost-effective deal that could end up working out in the long run as Edmunds would go to a team that better fits his overall scheme.
De’Vondre Campbell – LB for the Green Bay Packers
It’s a name that has already been tied to the Eagles. While the Packers will do whatever they can to keep the All-Pro talent, they simply don’t have the cap space to work with it, especially now Aaron Rodgers has decided to come back. Campbell is an absolute stud, and would be the best overall LB the Eagles would have on the roster since Jeremiah Trotter. It’s a no-brainer if the Eagles can figure out a deal.
Spotrac calculated his potential extension to being close to three-year deal worth $18-19 million which would be, not only the most money given to a LB by the team in years, but also well within the realm of feasibility for the team.
Go get this guy.
JuJu Smith-Schuster – WR for Pittsburgh Steelers
Could the Eagles go big game hunting for Amari Cooper and Davante Adams’ type players? Absolutely. Do I see them overpaying for a #2 wideout though? Probably not. Insert JuJu Smith-Schuster.
Outside of the TikTok distractions, JuJu had a productive career in Pittsburgh. The only problem was that he was a true #2 option and not the #1 the Steelers needed him to be. He’ll come cheaper than most of these other big-name wideouts but would have the youth and production that could pair up perfectly with Davonta Smith. A Smith, Watkins, Smith-Schuster trio would be an underrated group and would be certainly better than the current one.
Why overpay for the #2 option when it would be an excellent fit with JuJu.
Marcus Williams – Safety for New Orleans Saints
If the Eagles were to go into free agency and sign De’Vondre Campbell and Marcus Williams, they could win the offseason on night one. Williams is a young stud, who comes with excellent pedigree for a Saints defense that was one of the best in football. There’s going to be a large bidding war for Williams’ service and he could very well stay in NOLA, but with the Saints in dire cap situations, it’s almost too easy to pair Williams to Philadelphia.
The last time the Eagles bet the farm on a young Saints safety it ended up working out with Malcolm Jenkins. This would be extremely similar except for the fact that Williams is younger. He won’t come cheap, but a Williams signing would be EXACTLY what Philadelphia would need.
(Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire
