The Eagles' offense was a major issue for the majority of the season last year and was the main reason the team struggled on their way to 9-7.
Here is a look at some of the options they have in free agency:
6 Quarterbacks:
Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans: It is hard to ignore the irony of the Eagles bringing in Mariota after former head coach Chip Kelly tried to trade the entire team to get him prior to the 2015 NFL Draft. It would likely bring a smile to Howie Roseman's face to bring in Mariota, knowing Kelly didn't, and the move makes plenty of sense for both sides.
For the Eagles, Mariota would be perhaps the best possible option as a backup, unless Nick Foles gets released. Mariota has 61 games of starting experience in the NFL, including two starts in the playoffs. Mariota has not met the potential he showed at Oregon, but he hasn't been completely terrible either, posting a career quarterback rating of 89.6 and throwing 76 touchdowns to 44 interceptions.
A very appealing part of bringing in Mariota would be what he can do with his legs. The Eagles' offense was at its best last season when they were rolling Carson Wentz out of the pocket, a gameplan they had to abandon when Josh McCown went in for an injured Wentz during the team's playoff loss to Seattle. They wouldn't have to do that with Mariota.
For Mariota, he would get to come to an elite franchise with an elite head coach and a quarterback that has missed time in each of the last three seasons, giving him a very real chance to play.
Mariota and the Eagles made sense the first time around and it makes just as much sense this time.
Chase Daniel, Chicago Bears: Daniel has already had his turn as Wentz's backup, helping to bring the rookie along in 2016. Wentz was very complementary of Daniel during their season together and the two seemed to have a great relationship. If the Eagles wanted a backup similar to the coaching-role that McCown played last season, McDaniel is about as close as they would be able to get without actually bringing back in McCown. Just like it was an issue the first time, however, the fact that Daniel only has five starts in 10 years in the NFL would be an issue if Wentz were to go down with a long-term injury.
A.J. McCarron, Houston Texans: McCarron has turned a solid run in 2015 with the Bengals, when he threw six touchdowns in three games, into a career role as a backup. Since then, he has attempted a total of 54 passes in four seasons. So McCarron, unlike some other options, wouldn't bring a lot of playing experience. McCarron has shown he can be an accurate passer, as he completed 66.4% of his 119 passes in 2015 with the Bengals. Doug Pederson's offense works when it has an accurate quarterback (see: Foles, Nick). When at his best McCarron should be able to sit back and run Pederson's offense.
Case Keenum, Washington Redskins: Keenum has had a very interesting career, and his two latest games against the Eagles is a perfect example of how hot-and-cold he can be. In 2017, Keenum was awful as the Eagles smashed the Minnesota Vikings on their way to the Super Bowl. In 2019, Keenum picked the Eagles' defense apart and nearly beat them as the starter for Washington. Keenum is a wildcard and that isn't a great quality in a backup. Keenum, however, as at least shown he can get hot — and we all know what the Eagles can accomplish with a red-hot backup.
Blake Bortles, Los Angeles Rams: Bortles is similar to Keenum, with some big-time highs and some very low lows. Bortles had 35 touchdowns in 2015, but has never come close to that many in a single season again, and was benched in 2018 with the Jaguars. There is no getting around that Bortles isn't a backup that will inspire confidence if he had to come in. But with 73 starts in his career, including playoff experience, there is at least some upside to bringing him in over some of the less-proven options that would be a complete wildcard if they went in.
Colt McCoy, Washington Redskins: McCoy is an interesting option for the Eagles. A former starter for Washington, McCoy has a decent amount of experience, playing in 39 games and attempting 923 passes. He doesn't have playoff experience, but he played in some big games, albeit to some poor results. Of all the options on this list, it is hard to see McCoy coming in as the undisputed backup, and would likely compete with a player like Nate Sudfeld if the Eagles did bring him in.
6 Running Backs:
Melvin Gordon, Los Angeles Chargers: The idea of the Eagles bringing in Melvin Gordon might seem crazy, considering the presence of both Miles Sanders and Boston Scott on the roster. The Eagles tried to trade for Gordon prior to the start of the 2019 season, however, and have never been a team that likes to give one running back the majority of the touches. Gordon had a disappointing 2019 season and his value is much lower than it was one year ago. Gordon would be a great fit on the Eagles, as he is not only a dangerous runner but excellent out of the backfield as a receiver. A backfield of Sanders and Gordon would be one of the top duos in the league.
The question is whether Gordon will have better offers in better situations. If Gordon can go somewhere and be the top back, he is going to take that chance and try to build back up his value. He will get plenty of touches in Philadelphia, but he wouldn't be the starter. Gordon to the Eagles likely only happens if he doesn't find the kind of market he hoped for in free agency.
LeSean McCoy, Kansas City Chiefs: McCoy is going to be a free agent, and until he is retired, that means he will be tied to the Eagles. The Eagles passed on McCoy at the beginning of the 2019 season when the Buffalo Bills released him, but that was when they had Jordan Howard on the roster. Howard is set to become a free agent, and after missing half of the season with a shoulder injury, it is no guarantee he is back. McCoy's 2019 season in Kansas City wasn't great, but he did average 4.6 yards-per-carry on 101 attempts, his best average since 2011. If McCoy can convince the Eagles he will come in and be happy as Sanders' backup, and be a good presence in the locker room, a reunion is possible. Owner Jeffrey Lurie is a big fan of McCoy, and hasn't allowed any player to wear No. 25 since McCoy left in 2015. The chances of McCoy being back with the Eagles next season are higher than you might think.
DeAndre Washington, Oakland Raiders: Washington would make sense as a role player, firmly behind both Sanders and Scott. The 26-year old running back averaged 4.7 yards on 144 touches last season in Oakland, the best season of his career. Washington's ability to make plays out of the backfield as a receiver will likely be very appealing to the Eagles, as he averaged 8.1 yards-per-catch last season on 36 catches. Washington could also potentially fill in as a kick returner, as he had five returns last season, but those returns went for an unimpressive total of 86 yards.
Jalen Richard, Oakland Raiders: It is unlikely the Raiders will keep both Washington and Richard, so if Washington ends up back in Oakland, Richard could be an intriguing option. Richard averaging 9.0 yards-per-catch last season with the Raiders, and 6.2 yards overall on his 75 touches. To put that in perspective, Scott averaged 5.3 yards-per-touch on 53 touches last season. A career backup, Richard has never carried the ball more than 100 times in his career and has topped 100 total touches just twice in four seasons. Still just 26-years old, with experience both returning kicks and punts, Richard would be an ideal backup to the duo of Sanders and Scott.
Carlos Hyde, Cleveland Browns: Eagles fans have had their eyes on Hyde for some time, but the last two seasons of his career have certainly not gone as planned. After spending the first four seasons in San Francisco, and playing at a high level, Hyde has been on three teams in the last two seasons and struggled at each stop. Hyde averaged only 4.2 yards-per-catch out of the backfield in Houston last season, and 4.4 yards-per-carry on 245 rushing attempts. Hyde also had an issue holding onto the ball with four fumbles. So why would the Eagles have interest? Putting Hyde behind one of the best offensive lines in football, after playing behind one of the worst, could be the boost he needs to get back to the player he was the first four seasons of his career. Hyde's value is at an all-time low, and for the Eagles, he would be a quality veteran backup that would be ready to step into a full-time role if needed.
Chris Thompson, Washington Redskins: The Eagles are very familiar with Thompson, as the veteran backup has more attempts against the Eagles than he does any other team in his career. Thompson has always been an issue for the Eagles out of the backfield, as he has three receiving touchdowns against them on 35 catches, averaging 7.83 yards-per-catch. Despite being in the league for seven seasons, Thompson only has 250 total carries in his career and 462 total touches overall. Thompson would be able to do a lot of the same things that the Eagles ask Sanders and Scott to do, a key for any backup the Eagles bring in.
8 Wide Receivers:
Robby Anderson, New York Jets: Anderson and the Eagles have been linked since the 2018 trade deadline, when the Eagles wanted to make a move for the Jets receiver but ended up with Golden Tate instead. Whoops. Now, as a free agent, Anderson represents the best deep threat on the market. Anderson has averaged at least 14.0 yards-per-reception in each of his four seasons, and tied a career high last season with an average of 15 yards. Anderson has pulled in a catch of at least 50 yards each of the last four years despite playing with (mostly) a below average group of quarterbacks. Putting Anderson and Jackson on the field together would bring the Eagles from having one of the slowest group of receivers to one of the quickest, and allow them to stretch the field in ways they haven't been able to since Doug Pederson became head coach. Anderson comes with some off-the-field concerns, and is going to command a big deal, especially if Cooper doesn't hit free agency. But if the Eagles are serious about adding speed to their offense, Anderson is their best option.
Amari Cooper, Dallas Cowboys: Whether Cooper hits the open market remains to be seen, as the Dallas Cowboys and what they end up doing with multiple players will end up shaping the offseason in a major way. If Cooper does become a free agent one thing is clear — he is going to get paid.
Cooper, at just 25-years old, is already one of the most accomplished receivers currently playing in the NFL. He has 5,097 yards five seasons, 357 catches and 33 touchdowns. The Eagles know all-too-well how dominant he can be, and his ability to both make contested catches while also having breakaway speed is rare among receivers. Despite having some lingering injury issues, Cooper has missed only 3 games in five seasons. Cooper would pair perfectly with DeSean Jackson, and if Jackson can stay healthy, Carson Wentz would have an amazing duo to work with.
Needless to say, signing Cooper won't be cheap. Players of his caliber at his age don't hit the open market often. It wouldn't be surprising to see him get the biggest deal for any receiver in the league, which would mean an average or around $18-20 million per season and guarantees close to $60 million. The Eagles have the salary cap space to do it and tried to trade for Cooper during the 2018 season.
If Cooper hits the open market, there is no question Howie Roseman will be making a call to Cooper's agent.
A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals: Green is an interesting name to watch for Eagles fans. There is a chance he is back in Cincinnati, especially if the Bengals do draft Joe Burrow with the No. 1 overall pick. If he does hit the open market, Green will be doing so after playing just nine games total the last two seasons. That isn't ideal for a player hitting free agency at 30-years old, but not many players have Green's track-record of success. Green has averaged 1,113 yards per season over the last eight years, pulling in 63 touchdowns in the process despite playing with an average — at best — offense in Cincinnati. At 6-foot-4, Green has great size while also being able to make big plays down the field. There is certainly some risk in signing Green, and there should be enough teams interested that signing him won't be cheap. But if he returns in 2020 as the player he was before the injury, there is an argument to be made he is the best receiver available this offseason, and one of the top five in the game.
Breshad Perriman, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The drop off after Cooper, Green and Anderson is a steep one, filled with players that are far from a sure thing. Perriman is the perfect example. A bust in Baltimore and Cleveland, Perriman is looking to turn on big season in Tampa Bay into a big-time deal this offseason, and he just might do it. Perriman's numbers were impressive with the Buccaneers, averaging 17.9 yards per catch on 36 receptions to go along with six touchdowns. Perriman looked like the player he was supposed to be as a first-round pick in 2015. The questions teams will have to ask themselves is whether Perriman can do it again, or if his one big season was the result of playing in Tampa's explosive offense. Perriman could be a steal for the Eagles or he could leave them having to retool the position next offseason as well. It doesn't feel like there is much in-between.
Devin Funchess, Indianapolis Colts: Funchess is a player the Eagles could have interest in if they do indeed move on from Alshon Jeffery and aren't overly optimistic about J.J. Arcega-Whiteside taking a step forward next season. Funchess is a 6-foot-4, physical receiver that could win the same kind of jump-balls the Eagles used to be able to count on Jeffery to win. Funchess suffered a broken collarbone last season with the Colts in Week 1, ending his time with the team before it really got started. Prior his lone year in Indianapolis, however, Funchess was a productive player in Carolina, totaling 2,233 yards and 21 touchdowns in four seasons. Funchess would be a low-risk signing for the Eagles.
Cody Latimer, New York Giants: Howie Roseman was a big fan of Latimer's coming out of Indiana in the 2014 NFL Draft, but Chip Kelly wasn't, ending the chances the Eagles were going to take the 6-foot-2 receiver. Kelly was right in his assessment of Latimer, who has never had more than 24 catches in a season during his six-year career. Signing Latimer wouldn't be a game-changing move the Eagles, but considering he likely won't command much on the open market, Roseman could decide to finally capitalize on the chance to do what Kelly wouldn't let happen.
Phillip Dorsett, New England Patriots: Dorsett would check off the box as a deep threat for the Eagles, although he has been somewhat inconsistent throughout his career. Dorsett has twice averaged over 16-yards per catch, doing it in 2016 with the Indianapolis Colts and in 2017 with the New England Patriots. Dorsett's average has dropped over the last two seasons, but his production has gone up, catching 61 passes and eight touchdowns.
Tavon Austin, Dallas Cowboys: If the Eagles sign Tavon Austin that means they struck out on a big-name free agent at receiver or the draft board didn't fall their way. As a low-cost, veteran signing, however, the Eagles could do way worse than Austin. The seven-year veteran has averaged 15.1 yards-per-catch over the last two seasons with the Cowboys, and if it wasn't for a bad pass by Dak Prescott, could have possibly ended the Eagles' season last year in Week 16. Austin could also fill in at either punt-or-kick returner if needed, as he has returned 210 kicksin his career.
3 Tight Ends:
Tyler Eifert, Cincinnati Bengals: Once considered one of the best in the game, Eifert's career has been derailed by injuries. He played only six total games in 2017 and 2018, and hasn't played over 50% of his team's snaps in any of the last four seasons. In fact, Eifert has played fewer than 50% of the Bengals' snaps on offense in five of his seven seasons. Eifert bounced back somewhat last season, pulling in 43 catches for 436 yards and three touchdowns, but perhaps most importantly, played all 16 games for the first time in his career. Standing 6-foot-6, Eifert's best quality is that he can still be effective in the red zone, one that despite his injury concerns will bring interest from other teams.
Eifert might get a chance to be a top-two tight end elsewhere. If he doesn't get a good offer elsewhere, he could decide coming to Philadelphia and being the No. 3 tight end in a good offense, with a great head coach and a good chance to play meaningful snaps at some point if Ertz or Goedert go down is his best option. The Eagles would be wise to bring him in if he does.
MyCole Pruitt, Tennessee Titans: A backup during his time with the Titans, Pruitt has 52 games of NFL experience with 14 starts. His numbers don't jump off the page with just 27 catches and two touchdowns in five seasons, but he played well for Tennessee when called upon last season. Pruitt caught 15 of the 19 passes thrown his way for 192 yards, an average of 12.8 yards-per-catch. Although his snaps were very limited, Pro Football Focus had him ranked as the 5th best tight end in the NFL last season, which is certainly interesting considering it likely won't cost much to bring him in. Pruitt also graded out very high as a blocker, something that will be very attractive to the Eagles.
Luke Willson, Seattle Seahawks: With Greg Olsen on his way to Seattle chances are that Willson will not be back. A seven-year veteran, Willson has played six-of-his-seven seasons with the Seahawks, and has 110 catches for 1,295 yards and 11 touchdowns in his career. Willson has good size at 6-foot-5 and would be a good fit in the Eagles' offense if either Ertz or Goedert were to go down.
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
