Today, the Eagles will be allowed to start contacting the agents of upcoming free agents, and when they do start making those calls, top personnel executive Howie Roseman is making sure they have plenty of money to offer up if needed.
After trading away defensive end Michael Bennett, the Eagles have somewhere around $20-25 million (depending on the Brandon Graham contract) to hand out this offseason if they so choose.
Here is a look at some players that could be on Roseman's wish list with all of his new cap space:
DEFENSIVE TACKLE:
Ndamukong Suh, Rams: The Eagles are badly in need of a player next to Fletcher Cox that will command the attention of the opposing offensive line. Suh would certainly do that. Suh had a very solid year for the Rams, totaling 59 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 19 quarterback hits. He might not be the dominant player he used to be, but he would keep the attention off of Cox and allow him to deal with fewer double teams.
Sheldon Richardson, Vikings: Richardson signed a one-year deal with the Vikings hoping to cash in this offseason with a long-term deal, and he will likely get just that. Richardson had a solid year with Minnesota, totaling 4.5 sacks and 30 hurries in 16 starts. Richardson was not as impressive against the run, however, which could force the Eagles to look elsewhere.
Danny Shelton, Patriots: Shelton would not be a great option as a starter, but the Eagles are also in need of help at backup defensive tackle as well, and he could be an upgrade there over what they currently have. Shelton played just 344 snaps for the Patriots last season, totaling 21 tackles, but 2015 first-round pick could be worth taking a flyer as a low-risk, high-reward option.
SAFETIES:
Tyrann Mathieu, Texans: Mathieu checks all the requirements the Eagles look for in safety. Not only is he capable of playing center field if needed, but only one safety in the NFL spent more time at nickel cornerback than Mathieu did — and that would be Malcolm Jenkins. The Eagles need a third safety, a role that is not really a backup. Mathieu is going to command a long-term deal, but the Eagles could decide he would be worth the money as a do-it-all, defensive weapon for Jim Schwartz.
LaMarcus Joyner, Rams: Joyner did not spend much time at nickel cornerback for the Rams, but he is capable of doing it if needed, as he was viewed by many to be a nickel cornerback coming out of college.
TACKLES:
Trent Brown, Patriots: The Eagles appear to be sticking with Jason Peters at left tackle, but if they don't, Brown is perhaps the best free agent available at the position. Brown, just 25-years old, played 1,087 snaps at left tackle last season, allowing just three sacks and 35 total pressures. It is worth noting, however, that Peters allowed fewer pressures and sacks than Brown did last season, so it might not be much of an upgrade.
WIDE RECEIVERS:
John Brown, Baltimore: Brown averaged a career best 17.0 yards-per-reception last season on 42 catches despite playing in one of the worst passing offenses in the NFL. Brown's ability to get behind defenses last season was no fluke, as he has a career yards-per-reception average of 15.0. The Eagles badly need a deep threat on offense, and Brown brings a nice combination of proven ability along with some room for improvement as well, considering he is entering just his sixth season.
David Moore, Seahawks: Moore had a breakout year for the Seahawks last season, catching 26 passes for 445 yards for an average of 17.1 yards-per-reception and five touchdowns. Moore would by no means be a sure thing for the Eagles, but he could prove to be a low-risk, high-reward option.
Tyrell Williams, Chargers: At 6-foot-4, 205 pounds, Williams has a nice combination of speed and size. The 26-year old has averaged 15.9 yards-per-reception in his five year career, pulling in 17 touchdowns on 155 catches. Williams has not missed a game in three seasons, and would be a very dependable option for the Eagles, as he would be able to come in, start opposite Alshon Jeffery and give the team some immediate help.
DEFENSIVE ENDS:
Ezekiel Ansah, Lions: Ansah is an intriguing option among the defensive ends that will hit the open market. Ansah's career has had plenty of ups-and-downs, as he has twice notched double-digit sacks — but those two seasons have been sandwiched by a year with two sacks and another with just four. The 29-year old has played 80 games in his career, totaling an impressive 48 sacks with 218 tackles, 110 quarterback hits and 60 tackles for a loss. Ansah averaged one quarterback pressure every five rushes at the quarterback last season, which was actually better than the pressure Bennett averaged in every 7.6 snaps in 2018.
Trey Flowers, Patriots: Flowers has been extremely consistent the last three seasons, finishing with 7.0 sacks in 2016, 6.5 in 2017 and then 7.5 in 2018. Flowers had arguably his best season in the NFL last season, finishing with 64 total quarterback pressures, good for 10th best among all edge rushers. Flowers would be a perfect combination of youth and proven production, as at 25-years old he still has plenty of room to improve — but he could also be counted on to come in and make an immediate impact. If the Eagles break the bank for one defensive end, chances are it will be Flowers.
Vinny Curry, Buccaneers: Curry's first season in Tampa Bay didn't go as planned. Curry played in just 42% of the snaps and finished with only 2.5 sacks. The Eagles wanted Curry back in 2018, but had to cut him for financial reasons. Even after trading for Bennett, the Eagles were still trying to work a deal out with Curry, hoping he would take less money to stay before ultimately cutting him. Assuming Curry's one year with the Buccaneers didn't completely change their view of him as a player, it is safe to say the front office is a fan of Curry's game.
Dante Fowler Jr., Rams (UPDATED: Signed with Rams): What Fowler will get on the open market is a bit of a mystery. Given up on by Jacksonville, Fowler saved his career in Los Angeles, showing the flashes of potential that made him the 3rd overall pick in 2015. Fowler played in a 3-4 in Los Angeles, which could make the Eagles hesitant that he would come to their 4-3 scheme and be productive. At just 24-years old, however, Fowler still has plenty of upside and could end up being a steal for the Eagles.
RUNNING BACKS:
Tevin Coleman, Falcons: Coleman has been linked to the Eagles since the trade deadline last season, and it is easy to see why. Coleman had a very solid season with the Falcons last year, totaling 1,076 yards on 167 carries and 32 catches. Coleman's versatility is likely very appealing to the Eagles, as he has at least 25 catches each of the last three seasons, and has proven to be a threat out of the backfield. Coleman would also fit in the Eagles' likely plan to have a backfield by committee, as he has never been the No. 1, workhorse running back on a team and is used to splitting touches.
T.J. Yeldon, Jaguars: Like Coleman, Yeldon would bring plenty of versatility to the Eagles' roster from the running back position. Yeldon has topped 50 catches in two of the last three seasons, and has totaled 1,302 receiving yards during his four years in Jacksonville. Yeldon's numbers as a number has not been as impressive, as he hasn't topped 500 yards in any of the last three seasons, but part of that is due to a lack of touches. As a rookie, Yeldon got 182 carries and finished with 740 yards, an impressive output. Since then, he has never topped 130 carries in a single season. Yeldon would be a low-risk, high-reward option for the Eagles.
Mark Ingram, Saints: Bringing in Ingram would have two advantages for the Eagles. First, it would take Ingram away from the Saints, one of the Eagles' biggest roadblocks back to the Super Bowl. Second, it would instantly help their offense and give them an upgrade at the position. Ingram had back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons from 2016 to 2017, but saw a dip in his numbers in 2018, playing in just 12 games and totaling 645 rushing yards.
LeGarrette Blount, Lions: Could a reunion make sense for both Blount and the Eagles? There is an argument to be made the Eagles should have never let Blount leave for Detroit, as they missed his production and runs between the tackles last season. Blount had a poor season with the Lions, totaling 418 yards on 154 carries, an average of just 2.7 yards per attempt. Assuming Blount could be had a minimum salary, the Eagles could have interest in bringing him back for depth in the backfield.
Le'Veon Bell, Steelers: Bell is the free agent on the tip of every Eagles' fan's tongue, considering he was one of the best offensive players in the NFL in 2017 and would fill their glaring need for help at running back. The Eagles will have the money to pay Bell if they want him. The question is whether Roseman is willing to finally go out and do what it takes to land an impact running back. Click here to read more about why Bell makes a ton of sense for the Eagles.
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
