Eagles Offseason Outlook
With NFL Free Agency and The NFL Combine fast approaching the rumors spread and include draft picks, trades, releases, and potential landing spots of free agents for teams looking to fill holes, re-build, or just get over the hump and make it to the postseason. Philadelphia has weak spots and needs just like every team in the NFL and look to make those improvements with very little wiggle room financially. The Birds top free agent set to hit the market is defensive tackle Bennie Logan who had probably his best and most noticeable season so far in his career this past season. While they don't have a lot of cap space, the Eagles released cornerback Leodis McKelvin to add more space, and have been working on restructuring tackle Jason Peters contract. Within the last few weeks reports have come out that the Eagles might also be looking to move on from defensive end Connor Barwin and linebacker Mychal Kendricks possibly by trade. Barwin has expressed that he is willing to restructure his contract to stay in the city of brotherly love and I think Barwin should stay maybe at a reduced price where as I don't think Kendricks will be returning either by trade or release. Linebacker and special team star linebacker Bryan Braman is also a free agent that I feel should be brought back due to his play on special teams which is always an underrated commodity in the NFL.
This years NFL Draft is full of talent, potential, rumors, and questions tied to just about every team in the league. From another New England backup QB being linked to possible trade rumors to which QB prospect is best of a weak bunch. With the Eagles sitting in the middle of the first round there are just as many questions and possibilities. The need for a playmaker at WR, and the horrendous play from the CB's over the last how many years the Eagles could go in many directions. In many of the mock drafts I've seen they mostly have Philadelphia taking a CB in the first round, while I have them selecting WR Corey Davis from Western Michigan. If Davis is not there with the pick and WR Mike Williams is still on the board I think they need to pull the trigger and not hope to find something later. The Birds should address the need at WR in round 1, CB in round 2, and RB in round 3, followed by offensive line and linebackers in later rounds. If they do move on from Connor Barwin and Mychal Kendricks, finding skilled replacements in this draft might not be difficult do to the defensive depth in this draft.
Every year I wonder if the Philadelphia Eagles are gonna land a huge name free agent, or that one guy every team would love to have on their roster and many times I am let down. Even when the so called "Dream Team" was put together I wasn't impressed and I was right not to be. Believe it or not, I wasn't thrilled when the Eagles got Terrell Owens and that came and went just as quick as Chip Kelly's coaching career in Philly. The needs for this team are fairly simple I feel and judging from mock draft's and projected free agent possibilities they can fix, replace, and upgrade multiple needs and positions through the draft and free agency even with limited cash to spend. Below is a list of 10 free agents that I feel the Eagles should pursue:
10. DE Jabaal Sheard or LB Barkevious Mingo/ New England Patriots
9. CB Sterling Moore/ New Orleans Saints
8. G Larry Warford/ Detroit Lions
7. CB Trumaine Johnson/ L.A. Rams
6. T Ryan Clady/ New York Jets
5. RB Latavius Murrey/ Oakland Raiders
4. CB A.J. Bouye/ Houston Texans
3. WR Alshon Jeffery/ Chicago Bears
2. WR Kenny Stills/ Miami Dolphins
1. WR Desean Jackson/ Washington Redskins
