With the collapse that happened for the Philadelphia Eagles this season, there are going to be changes throughout the organization. It will be an interesting offseason for the team, as coaching staff changes are also likely. Yet, once that is sorted, the Eagles have 20 impending free agents that will need to be re-signed or abandoned. Excluding both Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox, who have both hinted at retiring this offseason, here are the Eagles free agents they should re-sign and move on from.
Philadelphia Eagles Free Agent Priorities
Players to Re-sign
Jack Driscoll, OL
Driscoll is the number one player the Eagles should be looking to re-sign this offseason. While Driscoll hasn’t been a preferred starter for the Eagles, he’s been an ultra-reliable piece. He is a sixth offensive lineman with experience at both offensive tackle and guard. Depending on how confident the Eagles are in 2023 third-round pick Tyler Steen, Driscoll could even vie for the starting job at guard if Kelce were to retire. Moreover, there is a fairly significant injury history with Eagles tackle Lane Johnson, and the team should look to retain depth in their offensive line with Driscoll.
Brandon Graham, DE
Graham will turn 36 years old this offseason, and the Eagles will want to start playing their 2023 first-round pick, Nolan Smith, more than they have this season. However, Graham was still good in 2023, leading the team in pressures per PFF. Graham also was very good against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the playoff loss, notching a sack and three tackles for loss. Graham still can be a valuable contributor to the Eagles defensive line. His biggest asset will be the leadership and experience he brings to a young defensive core in Philadelphia. He’s still good on the field and he’s great for the locker room. He should get his farewell tour in 2024 with the Eagles.
Jack Stoll, TE
Stoll is another piece of reliable depth that the Eagles may miss if he happens to leave. While he is not a big receiving threat, Stoll’s impact is huge in the run game. He’s a great blocker who would usually mesh well with the Eagles offensive line and the downhill run game. While that wasn’t apparent this year, bringing in a new offensive coordinator could be a big help to him. Stoll doesn’t lack athleticism, and while it’s unreasonable to think he could become a great receiving threat this year, he could improve upon it with a different play-caller. Yet, Stoll still brings value in two tight-end formations and in goal-line packages where the Eagles want to get downhill.
Players to Move On From
D’Andre Swift, RB
Swift by no means played badly this season and often was a bright spot in an uninspiring Eagles offense. He had a career year behind the Eagles offensive line, surpassing the 1000-yard mark while only missing one game this season. Swift is a good player, but the Eagles have two other options that may be more enticing. One is possibly going after Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry, which would be a big upgrade. Second, drafting a running back on day two of the 2024 NFL Draft. The second option may be riskier, but it will allow the Eagles to stay young and cheap at the position. With upcoming potential extensions coming up with Devonta Smith, Landon Dickerson, and more, it may be the best course of action.
Bradley Roby, CB
Roby is an NFL veteran who was signed by the Eagles off the practice squad early in the season. He was signed to take over the starting slot corner role for the injured Avonte Maddox. However, he struggled in the slot role and eventually would lose playtime to seventh-round rookie Eli Ricks. With hopefully a healthy Maddox in the future, there’s no real spot for Roby as a contributor. The Eagles need to get better at corner this offseason, and Roby simply isn’t the answer.
Quez Watkins and Olamide Zaccheaus, WRs
The Eagles should look to move off both Watkins and Zaccheaus this offseason. Neither was able to find their footing in the struggling offense, each totaling less than 200 receiving yards. Additionally, neither fit the mold of what the Eagles need or should be looking for in a third receiver. The team should look for a route runner with some decent size to work the underneath of defenses. They need a reliable option for Jalen Hurts to go to for third and short situations. They should cut ties with both and find another receiver in free agency to take over the slot receiver role.
Main Photo: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
