Philadelphia Eagles Offseason Guide: Free Agents, Draft Picks, And More
The Philadelphia Eagles enter the offseason with plenty of free agents, but they have the draft capital to reload and make another run.
It was a tough ending for the Philadelphia Eagles, as their dominant 2022 season ended in a three-point loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Super Bowl Sunday. Blowing a 10-point halftime lead makes the loss sting even more, and the fact that they couldn’t bring down Patrick Mahomes once or have an answer for the Chiefs offense late is a disappointment for a top defense.
The Eagles will head into the offseason with heads held high and lessons learned, but there’s a lot of work to do for GM Howie Roseman and his staff. Both coordinators are gone, Shane Steichen to Indianapolis and Jonathan Gannon to Arizona, so staff changes are in order. They have a ton of free agents to make decisions on, and need to worry about an extension for quarterback Jalen Hurts.
Philadelphia Eagles Offseason Guide
So let’s traverse and preview the offseason a bit for the Philadelphia Eagles, making some key decisions and looking at how the team can reload and bring back the core for another run at a championship.
Key Free Agents
QB Gardner Minshew
RB Miles Sanders
C Jason Kelce
G Isaac Seumalo
OT Andre Dillard
DT Fletcher Cox
DT Javon Hargrave
DE Brandon Graham
DE Robert Quinn
DT Ndamukong Suh
DT Linval Joseph
LB T.J. Edwards
CB James Bradberry
S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson
With the Philadelphia Eagles currently sitting about $1 million over the cap, restructures will take command, especially with big contracts like Lane Johnson’s. The Eagles have a lot of money pushed into void years, from guys like Dallas Goedert to several of the free agents listed above. So, maneuvering around to get things done will be a challenge, but one that likely won’t intimidate Roseman and company.
Javon Hargrave is the most notable free agent among this big group, and he’ll likely command a big deal elsewhere as a pass-rushing three technique. His market deal could get close to $20 million per year as a 30-year-old.
Center Jason Kelce is the next biggest one on the list. He’s discussed retirement before, so that decision won’t be an easy one. If he does retire, the Eagles planned for this, drafting Nebraska center Cam Jurgens to be the replacement at the position. Funny enough, Kelce was a huge fan of the pick.
The elder statesmen along the defensive line are likely all gone. The Eagles trading a mid-round pick for Robert Quinn, but there wasn’t much return there. Brandon Graham feels done in Philly, and maybe the Eagles could bring back one of Suh or Joseph.
Chauncey Gardner-Johnson is one that needs to return for the back end of the defense. His enforcer mentality is needed, and he’s one of their best tacklers. Speaking of a good tackler, T.J. Edwards has been their best linebacker. Like Hargrave, James Bradberry’s play has probably priced himself out of a return to the NFC Champs.
As we flip back over to offense, it’s going to be a wild offseason at running back. So many good running backs are free agents, and the 2023 NFL Draft class at RB looks special in depth. Miles Sanders didn’t get a lot of run in the Super Bowl, and it’s unclear where they stand with him ahead of free agency.
We’ll see how much maneuvering they can do, but the Philadelphia Eagles could potentially get a few guys back like Kelce, Johnson, and Sanders to keep as much of the core together as possible.
Cut Candidates
There aren’t many cut candidates, but both Darius Slay and Derek Barnett can save them a smidge over $7 million in space if both are cut. Slay is way too important to the team, and Barnett might be worth keeping in the rotation that might lose two players to free agency.
Early 2023 NFL Draft Needs
EDGE/Defensive End
Defensive Tackle (3T)
Linebacker
Corner
Safety
Offensive Line
Running Back(?)
WR3
Yeah, it’s a lot of needs to think about for a team that just won the NFC, but this is often how things look as the page turns to the new league year. With all the potential turnover on the defensive line, reloading that early in the 2023 NFL Draft would be a Roseman special.
Picks: 10, 31, 62, 94, 221, 250
Jordan Davis, Josh Sweat, and Haason Reddick are set. Having a backup for Davis as the nose tackle makes sense, but a pass rushing three-technique and a strong side defensive end should be in the cards early. If Clemson pass rusher Myles Murphy is available at 10, he’s exactly the strong side end that would make things go. His power and length make for a strong edge-setter, and the traits are there athletically to potentially produce better on Sundays. The one to watch at three-technique is Pittsburgh’s Calijah Kancey. He’s undersized, but his explosive twitch and quick strikes with his hands are a phenomenal combination to create pressure.
The Philadelphia Eagles don’t take linebacker early, so day three is the time for that. Cincinnati’s Ivan Pace and Washington State’s Daiyan Henley would be players to take there and pair with Nakobe Dean if Edwards doesn’t return.
The first round is a great spot for the Philadelphia Eagles to take advantage of a great corner class. Both Christian Gonzalez and Devon Witherspoon would be home runs at pick 10. Watch out for Kelee Ringo as he shoots back up boards after an absurd combine. Emmanuel Forbes at pick 30 is one to watch for as well.
How long does Lane Johnson stick around for Philly? That’s a fair question, and while tackle might not be a pick early, getting a swing tackle makes a ton of sense at some point. They could be proactive on day two, getting an athlete of the caliber of Jaelyn Duncan, or maybe Darnell Wright at the end of round one. Guard will be a position to watch late as well.
Bijan Robinson at pick 10 is such a strong luxury pick to make, but imagine how good the run game gets with Hurts as a force multiplier in tow and Robinson added to the mix? He’s a yardage creator in a variety of ways, and is a phenomenal pass catcher.
A third receiver isn’t a high priority, but it wouldn’t be shocking for Roseman and the Philadelphia Eagles to consider it if the value is right. Someone like Jaxon Smith-Njigba or Jordan Addison as true slots would be insane for the Eagles.
It’s going to be an interesting offseason for the Philadelphia Eagles. They’ll have to re-up and reload, but with the core they have, a few tweaks and some good draft picks will have them right back in contention quickly.