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, starting with perhaps their biggest need overall -- receiver.
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.
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.
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.
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
