A flurry of trades and signings made the 2020 NFL free agency one of the more exciting iterations in recent memory. Just as well as the world was on standstill. I can't tell you how many times I was thankful for Adam Schefter's updates blowing up my phone. The league will look a lot different in 2020 -- DeAndre Hopkins is no longer a Texan, Jason Witten is a Raider, and Tom Brady packed up his bags and headed to the Sunshine State. New faces in new places scatter rosters all over the league as we move into April, but what does is mean for the Eagles and their 2020 opponents?
I've done my best to include all additions and losses, but some may have flown under the radar.
Arizona Cardinals
Additions:
DT | Jordan PhillipsDT | Trevon ConleyLB | De'Vondre CampbellLB | Devon KennardWR | DeAndre Hopkins
Losses:
DE | Rodney GunterOL | A.Q. ShipleyLB | Brooks ReedLB | Joe WalkerRB | David JohnsonTE | Charles ClayWR | Damiere ByrdWR | Pharoh Cooper
Bottom Line:
In case you missed it, after a promising first year under head coach Kliff Kingsbury, led by rookie QB Kyler Murray, the Cardinals made a huge trade for former Texan DeAndre Hopkins. Outside of the Hopkins trade, they made some nice additions as well, if not nearly as splashy. A visit to Arizona is no longer an easily checked box in the win column. Afforded a second year in the system along with a solidified big three (Murray, Hopkins and Kenyan Drake), the Cardinals could be one of the most improved teams in the NFL.
They may not be a playoff team this season, but they'll be knocking on the door before you know it. I don't know if they're the same caliber team that the Eagles are, but this is not a game the Birds can afford to take lightly.
Baltimore Ravens
Additions:
DE | Calais CampbellDL | Derek WolfeLS | Nick Moore
Losses:
CB | Brandon CarrDT | Chris WormleyDT | Michael PierceDT | Domata PekoLB | Patrick OnwuasorLB | Pernell McPheeOG | Marshal YandaOL | James HurstS | Tony JeffersonTE | Hayden Hurst
Bottom Line:
The Ravens had no trouble causing headaches for opponents last season and will add two very good pieces to their defense. It could have looked even better had the Michael Brockers deal not fallen through. They did lose some important players, which shouldn't be overlooked. Also, it's always tough to replicate the kind of success they had last year.
Still, the best regular-season team in 2019 should continue to roll through 2019. Luckily, the Eagles will play host when they face the Ravens. Nevertheless, this will be one of -- if not the -- biggest test of the season for the Birds.
Cincinnati Bengals
Additions:
CB | LeShaun SimsCB | Mackensie AlexanderCB | Trae WaynesDT | D.J. ReaderLB | Josh BynesOG | Xavier Su'a-FiloS | Vonn BellWR | Mike Thomas
Losses:
CB | B.W. WebbCB | Darqueze DennardCB | Dre KirkpatrickDT | Andrew BillingsOG | John MillerOT | Cordy GlennS | Clayton FejedelemTE | Tyler Eifert
Bottom Line:
It's hard to evaluate just how good the Bengals will be without seeing Joe Burrow (let's be real here) in action. He'll be joining what is a very fortuitous and underrated situation for a rookie quarterback. He'll have the luxury of throwing to a healthy A.J. Green and Tyler Boyd, who seems to have hit his stride as an NFL receiver. The offensive line will still be the major factor to monitor. They did some swapping in the secondary. I don't think they got better or worse, but they did get younger.
It seems as if the Bengals are at least a year or two away from pushing for a playoff spot. This should be one of the easier games on the schedule and it's at home. It's always hard to tell with rookie quarterbacks just how electric the offense will be. Cincinnati's defense is better than people think, but it's not enough to carry.
Cleveland Browns
Additions:
CB | Kevin JohnsonDE | Adrian ClaybornDT| Andrew BillingsFB | Andy JanovichLB | B.J. GoodsonOT | Jack ConklinQB | Case KeenumS | Andrew SendejoS | Karl JosephTE | Austin Hooper
Losses:
CB | T.J. CarrieLB | Christian KirkseyLB | Joe SchobertQB | Drew StantonS | Damarious RandallS| Eric MurrayTE | Demetrius HarrisWR | Rashard Higgins
Bottom Line:
After a very confusing 2019, the Browns may continue to be one of the league's most puzzling conundrums in 2020. There is a lot to like about their off-season acquisitions. Jack Conklin was a massive get for a team that's struggled with inconsistent line play. Austin Hooper is a fun piece for the offense, although I don't know if they needed him. Adrian Clayborn joins a defensive line that was downright disruptive at times last year. Frankly, I like both Karl Joseph and Sendejo, and they complement each other nicely.
At the same time, their linebacking corps was decimated, they will have an unproven safety duo and then there's the question mark that may forever be painted over Baker Mayfield's head. Can the seemingly cursed Browns put it together?
We know that Odell Beckham Jr. will come to play, as he always does against the Eagles. It just depends which Cleveland Browns team show up to play on Sunday. The mental aspect of the game has tortured the Browns for eons and if the Eagles can go up early, that could be all she wrote. However, they cannot afford to let a team with so many electric pieces stick around.
Dallas Cowboys
Additions:
CB | Maurice CanadyDE | Aldon SmithDT | Dontari PoeDT | Gerald McCoyK | Greg ZuerleinS | Ha Ha Clinton-DixTE | Blake Bell
Losses:
C | Travis FredrickCB | Byron JonesDE | Michael BennettDE | Robert QuinnDT | Maliek CollinsOG | Xavier Su'a-FiloOT | Cameron FlemingS | Jeff HeathTE | Jason WittenWR | Randall CobbWR | Tavon Austin
Bottom Line:
Personally, I think the Cowboys got significantly worse this offseason. The verdict is split on Mike McCarthy despite his pedigree, and that should tell you something. They still have likely the best young linebacking duo in football and Gerald McCoy will be a fantastic addition. McCoy seems like the lineman Jerry Jones always coveted, but never had until now. Still, Dallas lost a ton of pieces on defense and I don't know that a recently reinstated Aldon Smith (if that even happens) is enough to save them.
Their 2020 sack leader walked out the door. They also lost Randall Cobb, who surprisingly tallied 828 yards and 3 touchdowns last season. A lot of that production will go to the very impressive Micheal Gallup, but their passing game has essentially become a two target attack.
At the end of the day, it's the NFC East, so you can throw the rosters and records out. It will be a dog fight. But, the 2020 iteration of the Cowboys isn't as good on paper as they were last season.
Green Bay Packers
Additions:
LB | Christian KirkseyOT | Rick WagnerWR | Devin Funchess
Losses:
CB | Tramon WilliamsLB | Blake MartinezLB | Kyler FackrellOT | Bryan BulagaOT | Jared VeldheerTE | Jimmy GrahamWR | Geronimo Allison
Bottom Line:
The Packers are another team that has dropped off a bit on paper. The Green Bay defense took a big hit losing both Martinez and Fackrell. Christian Kirksey is a nice pickup, but he won't be able to fill two sets of shoes. Losing Bulaga is also huge. Aaron Rodgers can make any receiver fantasy relevant and Devin Funchess is no exception. He and Davante Adams will be difficult to deal with.
The Eagles squeezed a hard-fought win out last year and the Pack will be coming back with a chip on their shoulder. It doesn't help that this game will be played at Lambeau.
Continued on the page below.
Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sport
Los Angeles Rams
Additions:
DT | A'Shawn RobinsonEdge | Leonard FloydOL | Austin Blythe
Losses:
CB | Nickell Robey-ColemanDE | Dante Fowler Jr.K | Greg ZuerleinLB | Clay MatthewsLB | Corey LittletonQB | Blake BortlesS | Eric Weddle
Bottom Line:
It really seems as if the Rams will go the way of the Atlanta Falcons. Doug Pederson got his just desserts after losing out on Coach of the Year to the young, hip Sean McVay. On top of all the losses above, there are rumors LA could also lose Brandin Cooks and Todd Gurley. They mortgaged their future to go all in the last two years just to fall short and the time has come to pay the piper.
The Eagles have had the Rams number ever since Dougy P came to town. They are better coached and will have the better roster this season.
New Orleans Saints
Additions:
S | D.J. SwearingerS | Malcolm JenkinsWR | Emmanuel Sanders
Losses:
CB | Eli AppleLB | A.J. KleinQB | Teddy BridgewaterS | Vonn BellWR | Ted Ginn Jr.
Bottom Line:
The Saints have, and will continue to be a difficult matchup for the Eagles. Without losing any major pieces, the Saints solidified their secondary and finally secured a number two option to pair with Michael Thomas. If not for their match up with both the Ravens and 49ers, the Saints would be the odds on favorite for the hardest opponent the Eagles face.
New York Giants
Additions:
CB | James BradberryDT | Austin JohnsonLB | Blake MartinezLB | Kyler FackrellLS | Casey KreiterOT | Cameron FlemingQB | Colt McCoyRB | Dion LewisS | Nate EbnerTE | Eric TomlinsonTE | Levine Toilolo
Losses:
CB | Antonio HamiltonLB | Alec OgletreeLB | Deone BucannonLB | Marcus GoldenOT | Mike RemmersQB | Eli ManningS | Antoine BetheaWR | Cody Latimer
Bottom Line:
Even with a combination of Eli Manning, rookie Daniel Jones, and an injured Saquon Barkley, the Giants were able to give the Eagles trouble in both showdowns last season. New York swapped out their linebackers and a tackle and added a nifty piece in Dion Lewis. Are they better this year? It's difficult to say. Importantly, Saquon will be healthy and Daniel Jones will be in his second year. Simply based on those factors, the assumption is that they will improve.
What I'm most interested in is what new OC Jason Garrett will bring to the table. He's authored some of the most potent Cowboys' offenses in recent history, but there's a reason he's not in Dallas anymore. New York and Dallas have a lot of similar pieces, but the Giants lack a consistent number one receiver -- a key component for any Jason Garrett offense.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Additions:
DB | Tyree KinnelDE | Dewayne HendrixDT | Chris WormleyFB | Derek WattLB | Christian KuntzOL | Stefen WisniewskiOT | Jarron JonesTE | Eric Ebron
Losses:
CB | Artie BurnsDT | Javon HargraveLB | Anthony ChickilloOL | B.J. FinneyS | Mark BarronTE | Nick Vannett
Bottom Line:
From the outside looking in it seems as if the Steelers are steps away from a rebuild Still, they consistently do enough to stay afloat and almost did enough to sneak their way into the playoffs last year. This year is more of the same. Big Ben is one year older and they lost some key pieces of their defense. At the same time, they added Chris Wormley to try to make up for the loss of Javon Hargrave and gave Ben a new tool to work within the way of Eric Ebron.
On paper, this is a very winnable game for the Eagles, but one should never underestimate a Mike Tomlin team.
San Francisco 49ers
Additions:
DE | Kerry HyderLB | Joe WalkerWR | Travis Benjamin
Losses:
CB | Jason VerrettDT | Deforest BucknerTE | Garrett CelekTE | Levine ToiloloWR | Emmanuel Sanders
Bottom Line:
The Super Bowl runners up did get a little worse this off-season, but not by much. Travis Benjamin is not the same player Emmanuel Sanders is, but he definitely has enough juice to fill the role expected of him. The trade of Deforest Buckner was a bit surprising, but the 49ers are loaded on the defensive line and will be able to fill the gaps by committee.
For whatever reason, I'm not as scared of the 49ers as I am the Ravens or the Saints. Maybe it's because the Eagles should match up well against a team that loves to run the football and rush the passer. Maybe it's because the Eagles have had their way with Californian teams over the last few years. Nonetheless, they are the reigning NFC Champs for a reason and they'll return to 2020 with a bulk of their roster still intact.
Seattle Seahawks
Additions:
CB | Quinton DunbarDE | Bruce IrvinDE | Benson MayowaOL | B.J. FinneyOT | Cedric OgbuehiTE | Greg OlsenWR | Phillip Dorsett
Losses:
DE | Ezekiel AnsahDE| Quinton JeffersonDE | Jadeveon ClowneyDT | Al WoodsLB | Mychal KendricksOG | Mike IupatiOL | Germain IfediOT | George FantQB | Geno SmithRB | C.J. ProsiseRB | Marshawn LynchS | Tedric ThompsonTE | Ed DicksonWR | Jaron BrownWR | Josh Gordon
Bottom Line:
Seattle is a tricky one. They definitely lost some significant pieces, but Russell Wilson's magic seems to be the everlasting counterbalance to lost talent. Even though Philly fans have mixed feelings about him, Mychal Kendricks will be sorely missed in Seattle. Can Bruce Irvin make up for the production lost by Ansah, Jefferson, and Clowney? No, no he cannot. Although, coming off a seven sack season, the signing of Benson Mayowa was an underrated pickup.
Regardless, the Seahawks seem to occupy a permanent position inside the Eagles' brains. They have and may very well continue to be the monkey on the Birds' back.
Washington Redskins
Additions:
CB | Kendall FullerCB | Ronald DarbyLB | Kevin Pierre-LouisLB | Thomas DavisOG | Jeremy VujnovichOG | Wes SchweitzerQB | Kyle AllenRB | J.D. McKissicRB | Peyton BarberS | Sean DavisWR | Cody LatimerTE | Richard Rodgers
Losses:
CB | Aaron ColvinCB | Coty SensabaughCB | Dominique Rodgers-CromartieCB | Josh NormanCB | Kayvon WebsterCB | Quinton DunbarOG | Ereck FlowersOT | Donald PennQB | Case KeenumQB | Colt McCoyRB | Chris ThompsonS | Montae NicholsonTE | Vernon DavisTE | Jordan ReedWR | Paul Richardson
Bottom Line:
Going forward, I am very scared of the Washington Redskins. They have been loading up on defensive talent; they finally have an above-average coaching staff and they finally have a plan at quarterback for foreseeable future. However, they're going to need more time to fully right the ship.
They started the off-season by gutting their secondary. It wasn't that bad last year, but clearly the new coaching staff wanted a clean slate. All of their free agency moves seem like stop-gaps. I think they will focus on their young core and plug veterans into the holes that can help develop the youth movement.
Their 2020 pass rush could feature: Montez Sweat, Matt Ioannidis, Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne and Chase Young. That is terrifying. They still have some kinks to work out in the secondary, but their opponents will undoubtedly be forced to throw the ball under duress.
The Eagles should still be able to beat the 'Skins in both games, but Washington will not be a pushover for much longer. It all depends on how long it takes for Dwayne Haskins to develop his NFL playmaking.
Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sport
