The most wonderful time of the year for sickos like myself is finally here as NFL free agency begins and the 2025 NFL Draft is around the corner. While the Philadelphia Eagles are fresh off their second Super Bowl victory, they’ll still have plenty of important decisions to make this offseason.
In the latest edition of my Eagles mailbag, I’ll discuss Philadelphia’s biggest weaknesses, potential free agent targets and the plan at tight end regarding Dallas Goedert’s future.
@VladdyMuse asked, “What are the Eagles biggest positional weaknesses and how do they reinforce it?”
Compared to several teams around the NFL, Philadelphia is in great shape heading into the start of free agency. Given the expected departures of both Milton Williams and Josh Sweat, I’d say that the interior defensive line and edge rusher would be the team’s biggest weaknesses right now.
While Moro Ojomo and Jalyx Hunt showed promise last season, they have yet to be full-time starters in the NFL. Therefore the Eagles could look to add more experience along the defensive front in free agency.
Considering that Philadelphia expects to play the compensatory pick game this offseason, they’ll have to be careful with signing high-priced external free agents. Which is why Eagles general manager Howie Roseman could focus on signing veterans that were released by other teams and won’t negate compensatory picks.
Dre’Mont Jones and Harold Landry are two players that make sense as potential targets for the Eagles in that regard. Both players have worked with coaches on Philadelphia’s staff and would bring much-needed experience along the defensive front moving into next season.
@devinweber796 asked, “Is Fred Johnson’s value to the team being understated in FA?”
I’d say that the importance of both Fred Johnson and Isaiah Rodgers is being underrated heading into free agency. Both players stepped up when veterans were injured and had important performances throughout last season.
While some have highlighted the importance of Rodgers, Johnson’s performances were certainly understated. He was forced to start at both right tackle and left tackle as Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata each missed time.
Johnson will turn 28-years-old in June and could have a decent market in free agency. He filled a key role as Philadelphia’s swing tackle and the Eagles will certainly have to fill that void if he departs in free agency this offseason.
@BrentleyDOliver asked, “Since we have had good luck with Saints players in the past, is there a Saints player that we might acquire via trade or free agency?”
Paulson Adebo is likely the Saints’ most intriguing free agent this offseason given his play at outside cornerback, when healthy. Adebo suffered a broken femur in October and it’ll be interesting to see his market develop in free agency, given his injury.
According to Pro Football Focus, Adebo allowed just two touchdowns in coverage over the last two seasons. He also recorded seven interceptions across his 22 games started since 2023.
If the Eagles are unable to re-sign Isaiah Rodgers, I wonder if they would be intrigued by taking a chance on Adebo. He is just 25-years-old and was playing at a high level before suffering a season-ending injury in 2024.
@BirdGangPat asked, “How do you think Howie will address TE? Extend Dallas and add guaranteed money, then draft a replacement, or let Dallas play out his remaining contract and draft a replacement? Or something else?”
The Eagles are in an interesting situation at tight end given that both Dallas Goedert and Grant Calcaterra are heading into the final year of their current contracts. The 2025 NFL Draft is loaded with talent at tight end and Philadelphia could opt to select Goedert’s replacement in April.
It certainly feels like a great time for the Eagles to find their next franchise tight end. While Goedert was a key contributor on Philadelphia’s Super Bowl run, he is 30-years-old and consistently misses multiple games each season. Given his contributions to the Eagles last season, Goedert could seek a contract extension this offseason.
While Philadelphia has rewarded several key offensive starters in recent years, they could be hesitant to sign Goedert to a long-term contract extension. Ideally, the Eagles will let Goedert play out the final year of his contract and allow Philadelphia’s rookie tight end to get acclimated next season.
Yet it wouldn’t be surprising to see Goedert demand a trade if the Eagles don’t sign him to a contract extension this offseason. Although given the structure of Goedert’s contract, it wouldn’t make any sense for Philadelphia to trade him before June 1st due to the $11 million dead cap hit that they would absorb.
@CMPXMV asked, “Can we get some of DiBona’s famous percentages for first round selections? I imagine it’s between DT, EDGE, TE and OT. But what would you expect the percentage chances are for each?”
After my embarrassing moment last offseason where I said that there was a 0.0% chance that the Eagles would sign Saquon Barkley, I’ve learned my lesson about percentages. Yet I’m all for self-deprecating humor and will play along for this exercise.
Here’s the DiBona famous percentage for the potential position of Philadelphia’s first round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft:
- EDGE: 25%
- IDL: 25%
- OL: 25%
- S: 15%
- TE: 10%
Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images
