The hype of free agency has come and gone and now it’s time to look at what teams have gained and lost since March 16th and where they stand as they prepare for the upcoming draft. Let’s discuss the Philadelphia Eagles.
Philadelphia Eagles
Key acquisitions: OLB Haason Reddick, LB Kyzir White, WR Zach Pascal
Re-signed: C Jason Kelce, S Anthony Harris, DE Derek Barnett
Departures: S Rodney McLeod (Colts), LB Alex Singleton (Broncos), CB Steven Nelson (Texans), DT Hassan Ridgeway (49ers), LB Genard Avery (Steelers)
Remaining free agents: RB Jordan Howard, DE Ryan Kerrigan
Analysis: A solid free agency for the Eagles, with the big name being Haason Reddick, the former Cardinals first round pick who bet on himself last year in Carolina and cashed in on a three-year, $45 million contract. After 12.5 sacks in 2020, he proved his position change to pass rusher from inside linebacker wasn’t a fluke, and had 11 sacks in 2021. He gets added to a pass rush that also re-signed former first-round pick Derek Barnett. He wasn’t lived up to the first-round billing, but Barnett has been solid, averaging over 4 four sacks a season over 5 years, but this is shaping up to be a solid defensive line.
Also added to the defense is linebacker Kyzir White. The former Chargers fourth-round pick had a breakout year in a full time starting role in 2021, leading L.A. in tackles while finishing eighth in the league. He gets a one-year deal to prove himself in a similar role as two-time team-leading tackler Alex Singleton signed with the Broncos.
The final addition was to the wide receiver group in former Colt Zach Pascal. The undrafted free agent has been a solid player the last four seasons, totaling over 1,800 receiving yards over that span as a WR3. He’ll likely continue in that role in Philly behind DeVonta Smith and Jalen Reagor.
A couple key re-signs was the aforementioned Barnett, along with longtime center Jason Kelce, who contemplated retirement but returns for a 12th season. Also brought back was starting free safety Anthony Harris, who signed with the team last offseason after five years in Minnesota.
With the additions came important departures. The aforementioned Singleton is important, but White can help fill that void. A big one is Rodney McLeod, who signed with the Colts. The 10-year veteran spent the last six years as a starter in Philly, playing at a top-tier level and will be missed on that defense. His replacement is unclear, but it gives an opportunity for younger guys like Marcus Epps and K’Von Wallace.
Conclusion: This is an interesting year for the Philadelphia Eagles. They had a solid 2021 season, finishing 9-8 while losing in the Wild Card round. I think Jalen Hurts surprised people, but he has a ton of room for improvement. He is locked in as the starter in 2022, but considering the trade with the Saints, they may be looking towards next year’s crop of quarterbacks. They traded two first round picks (their own and the Colts via Carson Wentz) and got the Saints’ pick back while acquiring their 2023 pick, and a bunch of other mid-late round picks were swapped, I’m not gonna get into those details. But in short: Hurts is the Eagles 2022 QB, TBD on 2023.
The team around Hurts is solid, with most of the group returning, both the skill players and offensive line while adding Pascal. The development of Smith and Reagor are important as the two former first-rounders have had different starts to their career (Smith living up to the status, Reagor not so much). The defense is an important factor with McLeod and Steven Nelson gone. It’ll be a new look, but opportunity for young guys to step up.
I’m intrigued by this team and head coach Nick Sirianni in his second season. The NFC is wide open now, maybe the Eagles can rise to power.
Football Nerds 