NFL Free agency is still a little over two months away, but there's no time like the present for the Eagles, who need to make absolutely perfect decisions this offseason. With a huge cap deficit to overcome, money is not something they're inundated with, meaning that the margin for error is minimal. With 18 players set to enter free agency this upcoming offseason, here is an early projection of how things will pan out.
Jason Peters
The Eagles should retain Jason Peters under the following circumstances:
That's the list. Peters is now 38-years-old and his play dropped off a cliff last year. He's a future Hall of Famer and will forever be remembered as one of the greatest Eagles of all time, but after demanding a bigger paycheck just to move to LT, only to play terribly, the Eagles have to move on. They have two young studs in former first-round pick Andre Dillard and fan-favorite Jordan Mailata. It makes no sense to keep him around as a player.
As a coach, however...
Verdict: Go
Jalen Mills
Given the lack of long-term security at the position, bringing Mills back on another short-term deal makes sense. Not only has he emerged into a leader in the secondary after playing in his fifth season as an Eagle, but his first year at Safety was actually encouraging.
The LSU product ended the year with an expected career-high in tackles and TFL, along with recording 5 QB hits. He went a long way in helping to negate the loss of Malcolm Jenkins. Keeping him around to help nurture a very young secondary makes sense, especially with the uncertainty surrounding Rodney McLeod's torn ACL.
Verdict: Stay
Nate Sudfeld
I don't really understand why the Eagles placed a tender on Sudfeld this past offseason and it's not like his week 17 performance inspired much. It's great that his teammates vouched for him, but after the way that game transpired, I can't see the team keeping him around.
Verdict: Go
Nickell Robey-Coleman
The self-proclaimed 'Slot-God' was more of a 'Slot-car racer' in 2020. NRC did not look anywhere close to his best with the Eagles and this was no Patrick Robinson move. He had some nice games towards the end of the season, but moving Maddox back inside and keeping LeBlanc, who wasn't that far behind Robey-Coleman, makes far more sense.
Verdict: Go
Vinny Curry
The 33-year-old enjoyed a fairly successful return to Philadelphia and he could well be called upon again. He knows the scheme inside out and consistently produces as an EDGE3/4. The Eagles have no real long-term security at the position outside of Josh Sweat and a hope that Brandon Graham can continue to immortalize himself in the City of Brotherly Love. Keeping Curry on the roster as that stop-gap while a new young pass-rusher develops is a smart play.
Verdict: Stay
Hassan Ridgeway
With Malik Jackson's future now up in the air after a contract restructure, Ridgeway's old DT3 role could be back up for grabs. He missed most of the year with a biceps injury, but I think he still has some nice upside as a rotational pass-rusher who has proven he fits much better here than he did in Indy.
Verdict: Stay
Cre'Von LeBlanc
Captain Cre'Von might have seen his play dip in 2020 before suffering a high-ankle sprain against the Browns, but as aforementioned, is a great backup in the slot, plays the type of game that the Eagles demand, and will be available for a cheap price.
Verdict: Stay
Richard Rodgers
Rodgers was such a pleasant surprise filling in for Zach Ertz this year. In what was his third year with the Eagles, the former Packers TE showed his true value as a pass-catcher and with Ertz likely set for an emotional exit, it would behoove the Eagles to keep Rodgers as their TE2 behind Goedert and potentially groom some young talent behind the duo next year.
Verdict: Stay
Continued on the page below.
Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire
Duke Riley
He may not be the most complete linebacker in the world, but Duke Riley did come a long way in 2020. No longer just a special teams ace, Riley put up 55 tackles this year along with recording his first interception. He's part of a nice emerging trio and since the team refuse to invest any significant capital in the position, handing him a short-term contract is logical.
Verdict: Stay
Corey Clement
It's a sad goodbye due to just how iconic his Super Bowl performance really was, but Clement simply hasn't been the same player since that rookie year. It's a real shame, but this season showed that the Eagles really need some reliable depth behind Miles Sanders and Clement doesn't tick that box.
Verdict: Go
Cameron Johnston
I've written at length about how Cameron Johnston has probably been the Eagles' MVP for at least two years now, but we're talking about a top-5 punter here. This is a no-brainer and losing him would be absolutely criminal.
Verdict: Stay
Jason Croom
Pros: He has a 100% touchdown record in Philadelphia. Everything he catches goes for six.
Cons: He's caught one pass.
Verdict: Go
Rudy Ford
The Eagles traded for Rudy Ford with the hopes he would bring an extra bang on special teams. He brought that and then some. That's probably his ceiling, but we know the Eagles put a lot of value on special teamers.
Verdict: Stay
Boston Scott
The Giant-killer has done nothing but good things since being poached from the Saints practice squad and has earned an extension as a change-of-pace back behind Miles Sanders. Scott has been a brilliant dual-threat back who can wreak havoc in the open field and I can't see that changing anytime soon.
Verdict: Stay
Joshua Perkins
Perkins hasn't been able to remain healthy or take real advantage of any exposure to offensive snaps in quite some time. The Eagles are loading up on depth at the position and Perkins could be the odd-man out.
Verdict: Go
Nate Gerry
Go.
Verdict: Go
Alex Singleton
As an exclusive-rights free agent, this is a no-brainer. The Eagles have to keep the former CFL Defensive Player of the Year around after an absolutely stellar second campaign. Singleton led the team in tackles and was an absolute menace as a run-defender, rapidly growing into the position's brightest talent. Do the thing.
Verdict: Stay
Greg Ward
If we've learned anything over the last two years, it's that Greg Ward has a long-term home in the NFL as a slot receiver. We just need to hope that the home is in Philadelphia As another ERFA, it should be. 419 yards and 6 touchdowns may not sound like a lot, but Ward was one of the very few consistent contributors in a flawed offense. His underdog story and clutch tendencies have seen him grow into a fan-favorite as well as a reliable target for whomever his quarterback might be.
Verdict: Stay
Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire
