Free agency is basically in the books. When the legal tampering period opened roughly two weeks ago, I wrote a list of players the Eagles might (and should) have interest in.
That list had 54 players on it.
There are only nine left.
That isn't to say the team wasn't active or didn't improve, as they traded for Darius Slay and signed Javon Hargrave, but overall they decided to be a little more conservative in free agency than in past years.
Now, with the first (and arguably second) wave of free agency over, the Eagles will have to look through the remaining group of players to find some diamonds-in-the-rough for next season.
Here are the nine remaining players from my initial list that could interest the Eagles:
Blake Bortles, QB, Los Angeles Rams: Bortles is similar to Case 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. He likely wouldn't love the idea of having to compete for a backup spot with Nate Sudfeld, but at this point, he might not be handed the top backup spot anywhere.
LeSean McCoy, RB, Kansas City Chiefs: McCoy is still a free agent, and until he retires, 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. 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, RB, 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.
Carlos Hyde, RB, Houston Texans: 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, RB, 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.
Tavon Austin, WR, Dallas Cowboys: I wrote last month that if the Eagles signed Tavon Austin that means they struck out on a big-name free agent at receiver or the draft board didn't fall their way. Well, the first one has already taken place, with the draft coming up in a month. As a low-cost, veteran signing, 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 kicks in his career.
Jadeveon Clowney, DE, Seattle Seahawks: Prior to last season, when he was still on the Houston Texans, Clowney wanted to come to Philadelphia. The Eagles didn't want him, or at least didn't want him on the franchise tag. Would the ability to sign him under their own deal make a different? The price to land Clowney is not going to be cheap, even if his price has come down from the $20 million-per-year he was initially looking for. Clowney has shown he can be an elite difference maker, but has also been somewhat inconsistent and had issues staying healthy. This would certainly be a splashy, all-in move by Roseman — and feels very unlikely.
Yannick Ngakoue, DE, Jacksonville Jaguars: No, Ngakoue isn't a free agent, but he was on my list to start and is clearly available for the right price. It goes withoutt saying that he would be a major upgrade for the Eagles. Ngakoue has totaled at least eight sacks in each of his four seasons with the Jaguars, and finished with 12.5 in 2017. Ngakoue has made it very clear on social media that he has interest in joining the Eagles. If the Eagles hand out one big deal the rest of the offseason, Ngakoue might be the safest and best bet. Click here to read much more about Ngakoue and why he makes sense for the Eagles.
Mychal Kendricks, LB, Seattle Seahawks: Kendricks and the Eagles didn't separate on the best of terms, as the linebacker was not happy with how much playing time he was getting. Kendricks is unlikely to get an offer from another team that guarantees a starting job, and his familiarity with the Eagles — and his love for the city itself — could persuade him to come back as a veteran backup. Kendricks had a solid season for the Seahawks last season, totaling 3.0 sacks, 71 tackles, eight tackles for a loss and four pass deflections in 61% of the snaps.
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
