Philadelphia Eagles: Best Free Agency Fits
Its no secret that the Philadelphia Eagles need some help to sure up their roster. Philadelphia crumbled down the stretch last season in their three or last four, eliminating them from playoff contention. The Eagles biggest free agency need is spotlighting on the defense, which has been a weak point for the Birds for the past few seasons.
Luckily for the Chip Kelly, there are some good options on the market this offseason, who could immediately improve the Eagles roster for next season as the Eagles look to regain the NFC East title.
Byron Maxwell
Jan 18, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Byron Maxwell (41) celebrates his second quarter interception against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Since the Eagles went on a spending spree and assembled what Vince Young infamously dubbed “The Dream Team”, the Eagles have ranked in the bottom half of the league against the pass.
Players such as Nnamdi Asomugha, Asante Samuel, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Cary Williams and Bradley Fletcher have come and gone, but nothing has worked.
Enter Byron Maxwell.
Maxwell fits the build that Chip Kelly looks for in corners, being a tall and long guy who has started for the Seahawks for the better part of the last two seasons, winning one Super Bowl and losing a heart-breaker in the other. Along with his obvious traits, the former Clemson standout has played along side arguably the best corner in the NFL, Richard Sherman.
Maxwell would be a welcomed addition to the Eagles defense and would slide in at the number one corner spot on the team next year.
Jason Worilds
Dec 21, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Jason Worilds (93) reacts after recording a sack against the Kansas City Chiefs during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 20-12. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Worilds is a solid linebacker and would help improve the front-seven next to Connor Barwin.
Although Trent Cole has shown improvement and is becoming more comfortable as an outside linebacker, he can still be a liability from time to time and isn’t the strongest player in coverage.
Not to mention, per Bleeding Green Nation, Cole has a cap hit of $11.6 million and cutting him would save the Eagles $8.4 million.
Worilds would cost the Eagles less money and provide much more versatility. This would give offensive coordinators more to think about, because they wouldn’t know which Eagles linebacker would be blitzing or dropping back — both can play either role at any time.
Rahim Moore
Quintin Mikell. Kurt Coleman. Jaiquawn Jarrett. Nate Allen.
Those are just some off the names the Eagles have used at safety since the departure of Brian Dawkins. To this point, none of them have thrived.
Last year, the Eagles signed former Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins. And while he was solid and brought some stability back to the back end of the secondary, he wasn’t anything that special. With Nate Allen seemingly ready to hit the road, something has to be done.
Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos free safety Rahim Moore (26) celebrates with strong safety T.J. Ward (43) after making an interception against the Indianapolis Colts during the third quarter in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Moore would be an upgrade over Allen, being able to step in and bring some toughness and stability to the Philadelphia secondary.
Antonio Cromartie
Similar to Maxwell, Cromartie fits the build that the Eagles are looking for at the cornerback position. Cromartie would be a cheaper option than Maxwell at 30 years old, but he’s still a risk.
The veteran is coming off of a great season, one that ended with a trip to his fourth Pro Bowl. If signed, he’d be the main man in Philadelphia for several years.
Orlando Franklin
Last week, I would never have put Franklin on this list, but with the Eagles recently releasing Todd Herremans, Chip Kelly maybe on the hunt for a replacement.
Nov 23, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos guard Orlando Franklin (74) pass protects on Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Jared Odrick (98) in the third quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
While it has been reported that the Eagles like some of their young talents at guard — including players such as Andrew Gardner and Matt Tobin — Chip Kelly may want to acquire a more proven commodity such as Franklin.
At 27-years old, Franklin was a solid starter for the Broncos last season. With versatility and experience, he could bring a very solid presence to the front of Philly’s unit.