Philadelphia Eagles picked as landing spot for top free agent
By Erik Lambert
The Philadelphia Eagles might seem like the last team one would consider for making a significant move in 2019 free agency due to their situation.
It was only a matter of time but their hefty number of big contracts finally caught up to them this offseason. They are currently less than $3 million under the cap. This means they will have to do some serious housecleaning in order to regain some measure of flexibility. This could mean a few sacrifices will be made in the coming weeks.
Jason Peters and Nelson Agholor could be considered prime candidates for being cut. The same goes for Timmy Jernigan. GM Howie Roseman may also decide to restructure some other deals in order to create more wiggle room. Lane Johnson and Alshon Jeffery are certainly options in that regard. One thing is clear. Expectations are Philadelphia won’t be much of a factor in free agency.
Except one noted NFL expert doesn’t buy it. Marc Sessler believes they might make just enough room to take one big swing on the market. The target? Defensive end Trey Flowers.
"“Plugged-in Pats beat writer Mike Reiss believes the team will pass on franchising Flowers. The 25-year-old pass rusher won’t lack for suitors after leading New England’s defense during multiple Super Bowl runs. The Eagles are dangerously low on cap room, but I’m playing under the assumption every team in the NFL knows how to massage the books to make a signing like this a reality.”"
Trey Flowers would make a nice successor to Brandon Graham
The key to the Eagles defense has always been their pass rush, but that could be in jeopardy this year. Brandon Graham is a free agent and unlikely to return. Chris Long and Michael Bennett are both well into their 30s now. Adding a 25-year old pass rusher with a wealth of playoff experience like Flowers would certainly sound appealing. He’ll cost money but not as much as top guys like Demarcus Lawrence, Jadeveon Clowney, and Dee Ford will.
He could be the long-term pairing with a returning Derek Barnett that the Eagles will need to drive that defense forward in the future. It comes down to whether Roseman is willing to endure the financial headaches that will come with it. Given the Eagles are in a definite win-now mode with Carson Wentz’s contract looming on the horizon, this might be one of the last big moves he can make before being forced to live off trying to find cheap talent in the draft.