The Eagles salary cap situation does not look great now — about $43 million over the cap — but they will eventually get under and sign some free agents.
The question is how many — if any — will be among their own set of soon-to-be 13 unrestricted free agents.
Here is a look at each, with a guess at who will be staying, and who will be going:
Jalen Mills, S:
Mills took a one-year deal from the Eagles last season and converted to safety, and it is tough to tell how much that increased his value in free agency. What is certain is that Mills is a capable starter at all five secondary positions and would bring the leadership the Eagles are going to need while they rebuild and recreate the culture they want in the locker room. Assuming a team doesn't blow Mills away with an offer, the Eagles would be very wise to bring back the versatile defensive back.
Prediction: Stay
Jason Peters, OT:
Never, ever rule out Peters potentially re-signing with the Eagles. The return of Jeff Stoutland only increases the chances that Peters once again comes back to the Eagles, especially if the team is able to trade Andre Dillard. Peters is unlikely to find many — if any — offers on the open market, which sets up nicely for a training-camp signing as a veteran backup.
Prediction: Stay
Nate Gerry, LB:
The Eagles have an entire new defensive coaching staff, which isn't going to help Gerry's chances of coming back. It is possible he gets a deal that essentially amounts to a training-camp invite, but without any guarantee he will make the roster, let alone start.
Prediction: Stay
Cre'Von LeBlanc, CB:
The Eagles seem to have soured on LeBlanc, as they have never given him a real chance at a starting job. LeBlanc could find offers elsewhere, including from Joe Douglas and the New York Jets.
Prediction: Go
Nate Sudfeld: QB
It doesn't appears Howie Roseman's statement about Sudfeld wanting to be a starter in 2022 is going to be coming true. The question is whether any team will even attempt to sign Sudfeld. One team that makes a ton of sense? The Indianapolis Colts, where bringing in Carson Wentz's friend to be his backup will only further make the team's new starter happy he has fled Philadelphia and the backup drama that has haunted him.
Prediction: Go
Duke Riley, LB:
Riley is a strong special-teams player and actually made a few big plays last season in limited snaps. He isn't likely to find a starting offer elsewhere, and like Gerry, could take a deal that allows him to compete for a job in training camp with no guarantee he makes the roster.
Prediction: Stay
Nickell Robey-Coleman, CB:
Jim Schwartz leaving almost certainly means Robey-Coleman won't be back either. Needless to say, Robey-Coleman's one-year with the Eagles did not go as planned and won't be remembered fondly by fans.
Prediction: Go
Vinny Curry, DE:
Like Peters, Curry coming back should never be completely ruled out, especially if the team does pull off a surprising move and trades Brandon Graham. If they do, Curry could provide some veteran leadership at a cheap rate. A plan to re-stock the defensive line with young players, however, will likely mean Curry won't be returning.
Prediction: Go
Hasaan Ridgeway, DT:
Like the rest of the defensive players, a change in the coaching staff will likely mean the end of Ridgeway's time with the Eagles.
Prediction: Go
Richard Rodgers, TE:
Rodgers is yet another example of how often the Eagles have brought back former players over the last few years. Like Peters and Curry, Rodgers coming back would be very on brand for the Eagles and shouldn't be ruled out — especially with Zach Ertz likely on his way out. Rodgers actually played pretty well last season, however, which could lead to him getting a decent offer from another team.
Prediction: Go
Corey Clement, RB:
The Eagles have given Clement plenty of chances to secure a roster spot, but a combination of injuries and bad luck have prevented that from happening. Clement can definitely play in the NFL, but it seems his time with the Eagles is up.
Prediction: Go
Rudy Ford, S:
Dave Fipp leaving as special-teams coordinator means Ford will likely be gone as well.
Prediction: Go
Josh Perkins, TE:
If Perkins is starting at receiver like he did at one point in the 2018 season, this team is in trouble.
Prediction: Go
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
