Chugging along the AFC train, we move across the country to the AFC West. Will any of the slippery field champs head over to the Eagles?
Las Vegas Raiders
Offense: None
It would be a nice story to bring Mr. Back-Pack Mack home as he’s become a steady contributor on offense and special teams, but he’ll probably get more than he’s worth on the open market.
Defense: Rock Ya-Sin
Not a splashy name but a familiar name. Ya-Sin spent 2019-2021 with the Colts, two of those years with Sirianni (really, Gannon). He allowed 60.9% completion on 69 (nice) targets in 2022 but had a career year in passer rating allowed – 82.6. For comparison, Jalen Ramsey allowed 62.6% and 84.5 respectively. With the corner market looking to be as inflated money-wise as the WR market was a year ago, the Eagles could land a deal with Ya-Sin.
Denver Broncos
Offense: Dalton Risner
Before researching him deeper, I said to myself “ya know.. he’d be a fine plug and play at RG while a rookie develops..” and BAM.. here’s a prediction from PFF on Risner’s next team:
The Eagles could potentially lose Isaac Seumalo on the open market, and they would be wise to replace him with Risner, who could cost a bit less. Risner has been a consistently above-average blocker who excels in pass blocking, posting four straight years with a 69.5-plus pass-blocking grade. The Eagles’ run scheme is also diverse, as they mix and match zone and gap runs well. The Broncos employed a similar run scheme under previous head coach Nathaniel Hackett, and Risner would likely be able to thrive at whatever guard position the Eagles need him to play.
He was the Broncos’ Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee AND also tried to fight Brett Rypien on the sidelines in December. Get you a man who can do both.
Defense: Alex Singleton
Nothing else to say here. Come home, king.
Los Angeles Chargers
Offense: DEANDRE CAR..
Sorry.
Defense: Morgan Fox
As a situational pass rusher, you’d be hard pressed to find a player more productive in such a small role in 2022. Fox played in 55% of the snaps in 17 games (12 starts), had 6.5 sacks, 11 QB hits, and 8 TFL. He’s not a run stopper. He’s not.. at all..
But someone who can come in on obvious passing downs and get after the QB? The Eagles have done well with those guys before.
Kansas City Chiefs
Offense: Mecole Hardman
One drop in an injury-riddled season on 34 targets in 2022, two drops on 83 targets in 2021. Speed, speed, and more speed. AND he’s not Quez Watkins.
If the Eagles do move on from Watkins (they should), Hardman should be high on their list to replace him. After losing most of the season due to injury, he could very well go back to KC to reestablish his value. However, he could be enticed for a little more money to come to Philly and see how open he’s be with Smith, Brown, and Goedert attracting the defenses.
Defense: Frank Clark
Clark will be (or is already) released by the Chiefs. He’s not what he once was as he enters his age-30 season, but he’s shown he’s still got a lot left in the tank. He is three post season sacks away from setting the NFL record for most sacks in a postseason career and he’s a former Michigan Wolverine like soon-to-be-resigned Brandon Graham. Could BG lure a fellow alum over?
Sweat, Reddick, Graham, Clark? At EDGE? C’mon..
Other divisions: NFC East, NFC West, NFC South, NFC North, AFC East
Photo by William Purnell/Icon Sportswire
