NFL Free agency is right around the corner and while the Philadelphia Eagles should be active players, they also have some general housekeeping to do first. Here’s a look at their restricted free agents this year and which ones they should look to retain.
RB Boston Scott
Death, taxes, and Boston Scott owning the New York Giants. The Eagles running back has been one of the true gems from Howie’s deep roster dives. Formerly of the New Orleans Saints, Scott burst onto the scene back in 2018 after being poached from the Saints practice squad and has since gone on to carve himself out a solid role as a rotational back.
When depth has been tested, Scott has stepped up on numerous occasions. His 373 rushing yards may not seem like all that much, but he was an invaluable cog to the backfield effort that stormed to the top of the rushing rankings, despite the fact they were without Miles Sanders.
The L.A Tech product should absolutely be retained as a cheap and cheerful dual-threat piece of Sirianni’s backfield puzzle that can always be counted on to produce in a pinch.
Verdict: Stay
LB Alex Singleton
Singleton was slandered heavily this season due to the fact that a schematic change that was thought to play to his strengths, ultimately did the opposite. Despite rising through the ranks under Jim Schwartz and registering a whopping 100 tackles in 2020, 2021 would ultimately ground the former CFL standout.
Singleton is tremendous at playing the run and shoots gaps as well as anyone. But when dropping back into coverage, he struggles to hold his head above water. What doesn’t help is the fact that the team continues to invest in young talent. Davion Taylor and Shaun Bradley should both take a step forward next season and T.J Edwards separated himself from the rest of the pack.
Unfortunately, given that the depth is getting competitive and it’s only going to rise as the team flirt with the idea of spending significant draft capital at the position to finally solidify it, it could leave Alex Singleton out in the cold.
Verdict: go
G Nate Herbig
All Nate has done since arriving in Philadelphia is surpass expectations. In part, it’s a huge credit to Jeff Stoutland, but let’s not ignore the fact that Herbig was a UDFA who became an integral backup guard this past season.
With Brandon Brooks now retired, retaining the 24-year-old should absolutely be a priority. Herbig has appeared in 33 games, 17 of which were starts, over the past three years, and has performed admirably in each.
Even if Landon Dickerson is going to be the man of the hour, the Eagles need a viable backup behind him and Seumalo. At just 24, Herbig has the experience and ability to do more than hold his own if dropped into a live game.
Verdict: Stay
WR Greg Ward
There was once a time when Greg Ward was a pillar of the teams’ receiving corps. But after two first-round investments and a flurry of late-round talent, Ward has been cast aside.
He still has a floor of a solid starting slot receiver in the NFL, that much is clear. But if Quez Watkins is going to be the most viable WR3 moving forward, then Ward has earned enough respect from the franchise to be released and allowed to find a new home where he can push for that starting role.
Verdict: Go
TE Jason Croom
He still maintains a 1-1 TD/REC ratio. For that, he deserves a five-year deal.
Unfortunately, Croom has very little in the way of a path to a starting role behind Tyree Jackson and Dallas Goedert.
Verdict: Go
Photo by Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire
