The 2024 NFL league year officially begins on March 13, 2024, at 4 p.m. ET. The Legal tampering begins two days prior on March 11 at 12 p.m.
This marks the first window of the off-season for NFL teams to add to their rosters: Free Agency.
For the Philadelphia Eagles, who finished the 2023-24 NFL season with an 11-6 record after losing six of their final seven games, free agency presents a golden opportunity to infuse an aging roster with both youth and talent upgrades at a handful of positions that desperately need it.
Specifically on defense, Eagles Executive Vice President/General Manger, Howie Roseman will look to re-vamp the unit after the arrival of defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and the expected departures of a few key veterans.
On offense, the general nucleus of the unit is in place, however, the future of future Hall of Famer Jason Kelce is still up in the air. There is also a huge need for an effective number three receiver.
With that, we present our Eagles 2024 Free Agency Primer.
Eagles Free Agents
- LB Zach Cunningham
- LB Nick Morrow
- LB Shaq Leonard
- LB Shaun Bradley
- EDGE Brandon Graham
- DT Fletcher Cox
- CB Bradley Roby
- CB Josiah Scott
- S Justin Evans
- QB Marcus Mariots
- RB D’Andre Swift
- RB Boston Scott
- RB Rashaad Penny
- WR Devon Allen
- WR Julio Jones
- WR Quez Watkins
- WR Olamide Zaccheaus
- TE Jack Stoll*
- T Roderick Johnson
- G Sua Opeta
- T/G Jack Driscoll
- P Braden Mann
* – Restricted FA: A player with three accrued seasons and an expired contract. RFAs are free to negotiate and sign with any team, but their original team can offer them one of various qualifying offers (“tenders”) that come with the right of first refusal and/or draft-pick compensation.
The team has made a few roster moves already, releasing S Kevin Byard and CB Avonte Maddox. However, with Maddox, don’t rule out a reunion at a lower salary per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Of the Eagles free agents listed above, I don’t expect many to be back with the team in 2024. But there are a few of players who are candidates to re-sign.
Veteran Brandon Graham is a near lock to be back with the team for his final NFL season.
“It’ll be my farewell tour next year. If the Eagles want me to do it one more time, I would love to be here for another year. Because I know we got something special. Fifteen, my farewell tour. I’ll be done next year,” Graham said following the Eagles playoff loss in January.
Fletcher Cox is a bit of an unknown at the moment. Cox could reportedly retire. He could sign with another team. He could also be back in Philadelphia.
With Jason Kelce retiring, having two veteran leaders like Graham and Cox in the fold for at least another year would do wonders for the Eagles locker room.
D’Andre Swift could potentially be back, but it depends on the number. Though, it’s difficult to imagine Howie Roseman allocating significant money to the running back position.
Elsewhere, back-up offensive linemen G Sua Opeta and T/G Jack Driscoll both could possibly be back with the team.
And of course, there’s always the chance Boston Scott re-signs once again.
Let’s get to the Eagles free agent targets.
Assets & Needs
- Philadelphia Eagles Cap Room (per Spotrac): $40.7 Million
- Positions of Need
- Safety
- Linebacker
- Starting RG
- Running Back
- Nickel Corner
- Slot Wide Receiver/WR Depth
- Back-Up QB
What We Currently Know
The Eagles are reported to currently be taking trade calls on LB/EDGE Haason Reddick, who is seeking a contract extension.
On Saturday morning, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that the Eagles have also taken trade calls on their other starting pass rusher, DE Josh Sweat.
The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, reported that Philadelphia could be aggressive in pursuit of former Jets pass rusher and current free agent Bryce Huff.
As an undrafted free agent signee, who has only started seven games in his career (but been productive), Huff will be seeking the first ‘big’ payday of his career.
In 54 career games, the 6-foot-3, 255 pound Huff has registered 17.5 sacks, 43 QB hits and 17 tackles for loss. For the entirety of his career with the Jets, Huff has been a role player – third down situational pass rusher.
But Huff has been among the league’s best at rushing the passer on 3rd down.
Just as a bit of a synopsis, Huff is an athletic and twitchy disrupter of a pass rusher. The guy absolutely fires off the ball and is a prototypical 3-4 OLB. He’s the best pure pass rusher in this free agent class.
Per Pro Football Focus, Huff’s projected contract is slated to come in around $16-$17 million a year.
Another potential target could be Jonathan Greenard, who is coming off a career year with the Texans where he posted 12.5 sacks and 15 tackles for a loss.
Free Agent Targets
Safety (4)
S Justin Simmons
- 30 Years Old
- 8-Year Pro
- 108 Career Starts
This is the most logical signing of any for the Eagles in my opinion. The 30-year-old Simmons knows the Vic Fangio system well and he excelled in it, earning All-Pro honors in two of his three years with Fangio. Simmons was also an All-Pro in 2023.
Simmons also is familiar with the Eagles’ recently hired Defensive Backs Coach, Christian Parker. Parker reportedly had an extensive hand in Simmons development while in Denver.
Simmons possesses the requisite range, instincts, and intelligence to not only be effective but still play the game of football at an extremely high level.
Fit with the Eagles: Starting Safety
S Xavier McKinney
- 24 Years Old
- 4-Year-Pro
- 46 Career Starts
The apple of many Eagles’ fans eye at the safety position, Xavier McKinney is an extremely talented and versatile defensive back. The 24-year-old McKinney is a supremely athletic safety who’s racked up 27 pass breakups and 9 interceptions in his career.
McKinney has lined up all over the field throughout his career (Per Pro Football Focus: 683 box snaps, 1,671 deep safety snaps, and 430 snaps out of the slot).
McKinney also has experience in the same type of match zone coverage system that Vic Fangio runs. While every system is different and comes with it’s own set of rules, concepts, and responsibilities, it’s all from the sort of same family tree.
McKinney played for Nick Saban who, along with Bill Belichick, first implemented match zone concepts in 1994.
Fit with the Eagles: Starting Safety
S Brandon Jones
- 25 Years Old
- 4-Year-Pro
- 30 Career Starts
Likely the lesser known of all the safeties listed here, Brandon Jones is a versatile thumper at safety. Jones played under Vic Fangio last season and had the best year of his 4-year career. In 6 starts, Jones amassed 2 interceptions, 4 pass breakups, and gave up 55 yards on 14 targets.
At the Univeristy of Texas, Jones lined up in the slot (757 snaps), in the box (377 snaps), and at deep safety (1,171 snaps). Jones has what Fangio values the most in his defensive backs: versatility.
From a coverage standpoint (per Pro Football Focus) Jones earned a 76.2 coverage grade.
Fit with the Eagles: Jones is someone who’s never been a full time starter in his NFL career, but he certainly should compete for a starting role if he signs with the Eagles and add in the fact that he’s spent a year in the Vic Fangio system and is as versatile as he is and it makes a ton of sense why he would be a potential target.
S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson
- 26 Years Old
- 5 Year Pro
- 45 Career Starts
On the surface, it doesn’t seem likely that Chauncey Gardner-Johnson would return to the Eagles, but reports have surfaced that indicate otherwise.
In 2022, while with the Eagles (despite missing 5 games), Gardner-Johnson posted career highs in interceptions (led the NFL) and tackles. Granted Jonathan Gannon’s scheme isn’t the same as Vic Fangio, but there are some similiarites and with Gardner-Johnson’s ability to play both in the slot and as a deep half safety in cover 2, 3, or 4, it’s reasonable to think that he’d be successful in a Fangio defense.
I don’t know if a return is in the cards, espectially after how his exit from Philadephia went, but if the two sides are open to it, the move definitely makes sense.
Fit with the Eagles: Starting Safety who can rotate into the nickel corner spot when needed.
Nickel Corner (2)
CB Kenny Moore
- 28 Years Old
- 7 Year Pro
- 89 Career Starts
Kenny Moore is one of the NFL’s premier nickel corners in the NFL. Over the course of his 8-year career, Moore has amassed 17 interceptions, 55 pass breakups, and 516 total tackles.
Moore is the epitome of hard work, as an undrafted free agent signee, he’s had to work his way up from the bottom of the barrel and work he has.
Last year, Moore amassed 93 total tackles (2nd highest of his career), two interception returns for a touchdowns, and three interceptions.
From a schematic standpoint majority of Moore’s career has been spent under Matt Eberflus and his last two seasons have been under Gus Bradley, both of whom utilize a ton of cover 3 looks.
Under Eberflus, Moore was moved around a ton. As a blitzer, in the nickel, in the box, and at outside corner.
Fit with the Eagles: In a scheme that puts as much onus on the nickel corner as Vic Fangio’s does, Moore seems like he’d be a pretty good fit, especially considering his level of instincts and intelligence.
CB Avonte Maddox
- 27 Years Old
- 6 Year Pro
- 38 Career Starts
When the Eagles released Avonte Maddox a few days ago, it was noted that both sides would potentially be open to a reunion at the right price.
Throughout his 7 seasons in Philadelphia, Maddox has been one of the league’s best nickel corners when he’s on the field. But that’s the major caveat with Maddox. Over the last two seasons, Maddox has played in 13 of 34 games.
Linebacker (Inside and Outside) (4)
LB Jerome Baker
- 27 Years Old
- 6 Year Pro
- 82 Career Starts
If there was ever a hand in glove skillset for Vic Fangio’s defense, it’s Jerome Baker’s.
The 6-foot-2, 225 pound Baker possesses everything needed to thrive as a coverage linebacker in today’s NFL. With a high motor and true sideline-to-sideline range, Baker would give the Eagles everything they desperately lacked at the position last season.
Last season the former 3rd round pick amassed 78 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, and two interceptions in 13 games.
Fit with the Eagles: Baker would immediately slot in as a starting linebacker opposite Nakobe Dean.
LB Andrew Van Ginkel
- 28 Years Old
- 5 Year Pro
- 42 Career Starts
If there was a 2nd most logical free agent signing from this class, it’s Andrew Van Ginkel, who was very good under Vic Fangio a year ago.
In 2023, Van Ginkel amassed 8 pass breakups, 69 tackles and 19 QB hits. He’s a prototypical 3-4 outside linebacker who can do just about everything you’d ask him to do. He can rush the passer, drop in coverage, and while he isn’t the best as a run defender, per PFF, he earned a 76.3 run defense grade (17th out of 112 qualified players).
Fit with the Eagles: With the increased chatter about the Eagles potentially moving on from both Haason Reddick and Josh Sweat, it makes all the sense in the world for the Eagles to target Van Ginkel, who Vic Fangio also personally recruited to the Miami Dolphins last offseason.
LB Josey Jewell
- 29 years old
- 6 Year Pro
- 58 Career Starts
This is another easy connection to make due to the history Jewell has with Vic Fangio.
Josey Jewell is the epitome of solid. He doesn’t do much of anything at an elite level, but he’s a well rounded really solid NFL linebacker.
With the Broncos, Jewell was the starting MIKE linebacker who received play calls and in a defense as complicated as Vic Fangio’s with a mostly new defensive staff, having someone who’s not only familiar with Fangio himself, but has a baseline understanding of the entire scheme and responsibilities for guys would be a huge plus.
Across his six year career, Jewell has rakced up 15 pass break ups, 453 total tackles, and 9 sacks. He isn’t going to wow you by any stretch of the imagination, but rarely will he be out of place or whiff on a tackle. Overall, he’d be a very solid signing.
Fit with the Eagles: Jewell would take over as the MIKE linebacker. His presence on the Eagles defense would be a huge advantage for Vic Fangio and Jewell could sort act as a coach on the field.
LB Frankie Luvu
- 27 Years Old
- 6 Year Pro
- 39 Career Starts
Luvu is coming off a career year in 2023 where he had 7 sacks, 20 total pressures, 125 total tackles, and 10 tackles for a loss.
Luvu isn’t generally thought of as a coverage linebacker but in 2023, he more than held his own in Ejiro Evero’s defense. It’s fitting because Evero is a disiciple of Vic Fangio and the schemes share a ton of similarities. Luvu was targeted 51 times in coverage, allowing 38 catches for 371 yards and just 2 touchdowns with 5 pass break ups.
Luvu also showcased some versatility in 2023, lining up at outside linebacker, inside linebacker and as a stand-up pass rusher.
Fit with the Eagles: Starting inside linebacker next to Nakobe Dean (or rookie draft selection)
Right Guard (2)
G Jon Runyan Jr.
- 26 Years Old
- 4 Year Pro
- 50 Career Starts
The connection is obvious here. Jon Runyan Sr. spent majority of his career with the Philadelphia. Runyan Jr. spent majority of his childhood in Philadelphia where he attended St. Joes Prep High School.
Primarily serving as the right guard during his career with the Packers, per PFF, Runyan’s career pass blocking efficiency, which measures on a per snap basis, sits at a 98.1.
It seems like the perfect opportunity for the story to come full circle. With Jason Kelce retiring and Cam Jurgens kicking over to center, the Eagles now have an opening at right guard. And Runyan Jr. is a free agent after spending the first 4 years of his career with the Packers where he became a starter in his second season and hasn’t looked back.
Fit with the Eagles: Starting RG
G Mike Onwenu
- 26 Years Old
- 4 Year Pro
- 56 Career Starts
The versatile Onwenu has played left guard, right guard, and right tackle during his four year career with the Patriots. Signing Onwenu would be reminiscent of the 2016 signing of Brandon Brooks.
In 2023, Onwenu allowed 3 sacks and 23 pressures on 505 total snaps. Onwenu is a very good run blocker. He’s received a 72.0 grade or higher in all four of his seasons with the Patriots and he’d be a nice fit for the zone heavy run scheme the Eagles are likely to utilize with Kellen Moore at the helm.
Fit with the Eagles: Onwenu would slot in as the starting RG with the ability to move to LG or RT if needed.
Running Back (4)
RB Saquon Barkley
- 27 Years Old
- 6 Year Pro
- 74 Career Starts
Saquon Barkley is one of the most dynamic weapons in the NFL. A true elite level 3-down back, Barkley is a big play waiting to happen. Throughout his 6-year career with the Giants we’ve seen the dominant force he can be, but Barkley has sort of struggled to consistently maintain that dominance, whether because of injury or the players around him.
Nevertheless, Barkley is a true dual threat on the ground and through the air. Adding him to an offense already equipped with Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert would make the unit truly elite.
Barkley’s market may be outside of what the Eagles are willing to spend on a running back, but reportedly, there is interest from both sides.
Fit with the Eagles: Starting Running Back, who’d make the Eagles offense almost un-guardable.
RB Tony Pollard
- 26 Years Old
- 5 Year Pro
- 23 Career Starts
While the Eagles may have interest Saquon Barkley, if Barkley’s market finds its-self outside of what the Eagles are willing to spend on a running back, a logical pivot would be to Tony Pollard, who has a connection to Eagles Offensive Coordinator, Kellen Moore.
Pollard has amassed back to back 1,000 yard rushing seasons along with a little over 600 receiving yards over that same time span.
Pollard is an explosive runner and we saw flashes of that last season, but he struggled to maintain consistency in 2023 after returning from a fibula injury that he suffered in the 2022 playoffs. From weeks 1-10, Pollard averaged just 2.7 yards per carry.
This could potentially mean Pollard’s price tag could be lower than expected.
Fit with Eagles: Starting running back who gives the unit some optionality in his usage.
RB Zack Moss
- 26 Years old
- 4 Year Pro
- 11 Career Starts
A bit of a slasher type back, Moss had a career year in 2023. He rushed for 794 yards and added 192 through the air. The 26-year-old Moss averaged 4.3 yards per carry and started 8 games last season in place of Colts RB Jonathan Taylor.
The Eagles could look to add a low cost, sort of change of pace back. If they opt to utilize a committee approach, Moss would be the perfect addition.
Fit with the Eagles: Potential change of pace, slasher type of back
D’Andre Swift
- 25 Years Old
- 4 Year Pro
- 31 Career Starts
The Eagles could look to bring back D’Andre Swift, who at times in 2022 looked flat out dominant running behind the Philadelphia offensive line.
Swift’s explosiveness and dynamic rushing ability flashed a handful of times throughout the season. He had a career year in his first season with the Eagles, breaking the 1,000 rushing yard mark for the first time in his career. One area where he lacked was receiving, but that can likely be attributed to coaching.
The verdict on Swift will come down to what other team’s are willing to pay him and whether or not that aligns with the Eagles view of Swift, but it would generally make sense for both sides if Swift was back in midnight green.
Fit with the Eagles: Starting running back who could potentially be better than he was last season with a different offensive system.
Slot WR/WR Depth (5)
WR Tyler Boyd
- 29 Years Old
- 8 Year Pro
- 77 Career Starts
The way I like to refer to Tyler Boyd is, he’s the prototypical NFL third receiver. He’s a very solid weapon in the passing game and isn’t afraid to mix it up as a blocker in the run game.
2023 was a bit of a dropoff for him (67 catches – 667 yards – 2 touchdowns), but that can be attributed to a bevy of factors, most importantly Joe Burrow’s injury.
He rarely drops passes (never more than 5 in a single season) and he’s recorded at least 600 yards every season of his career since becoming a full time starter in 2018. He can run any route you ask him to run and he has a keen understanding of zone coverage and how to find the soft spots within them.
Fit with the Eagles: Consistent third receiver who can become a safety blanket for Jalen Hurts.
WR Curtis Samuel
- 27 Years Old
- 7 Year Pro
- 58 Career Starts
Curtis Samuel is kind of everything you could want in a third receiver. He’s efficient and versatile. He isn’t per se a burner by any stretch of the imagination, but he has the requisite speed that makes a defense respect him.
But what makes Samuel as a football player is his versatility. He can line up outside, inside, and in the backfield. He’s a true Swiss Army knife.
In Eric Bienemy’s offense with the Commanders in 2023, Samuel racked up 613 receiving yards on 62 catches with just 4 drops.
Fit with the Eagles: Samuel would give the Eagles an entirely new dimension as a guy who can line up virtually anywhere in the offensive formation and be effective.
WR Noah Brown
- 28 Years Old
- 6 Year Pro
- 25 Career Starts
Noah Brown initially started his career with the Dallas Cowboys. He, like Tony Pollard, has an extensive background with Kellen Moore.
The 6-foot-2, 215 pound Brown, is coming off the best season of his career where he caught 33 passes for 567 yards and 2 touchdowns. Brown also averaged 17.2 yards per catch in 2023.
Brown is a physical, big-play threat who offers inside-outside versatility. During his time with Kellen Moore, Brown was a very willing run blocker, evidenced by his 82.6 (2020) and 72.7 (2021) run blocking grade with the Cowboys (when Moore was the offensive coordinator.
Fit with the Eagles: Solid WR3/4 who offers inside-outside versatility and knows Kellen Moore’s offense.
WR Cedrick Wilson
- 28 Years Old
- 5 Year Pro
- 7 Career Starts
With this signing, the Eagles would be hoping that Wilson is able to re-capture some of the magic that he showcased with the Cowboys and Kellen Moore in 2021 that led the Miami Dolphins to handing Wilson a three-year, $22.8 million contract.
During that 2021 season, Wilson amassed 602 yards and 6 touchdowns. Since then, Wilson hasn’t come close to that level of production or play. It could be a simple case of player not fitting the scheme or it’s possible that the 2021 season was just an anomaly for Wilson.
For the Eagles the addition would be a depth signing with possible upside for more due to his familiarity with Kellen Moore.
Fit with the Eagles: Wilson would be a depth WR4 signing with possible upside for more
WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
- 26 Years Old
- 4 Year Pro
- 30 Career Starts
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine would be a nice depth add for the Eagles. Over his four seasons in the NFL, Westbrook-Ikhine has amassed 1,276 total receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.
Fit with the Eagles: Westbrook-Ikhine would be a depth signing who possesses some intriguing speed and blocking prowess.
Back-Up QB (2)
QB Tyrod Taylor
- 34 Years Old
- 13 Year Pro
- 58 Career Starts
Tyrod Taylor would seemingly be the perfect backup for Jalen Hurts. He’s shown that he can still play the game of football when needed.
Taylor started 5 games a season ago with the Giants, completing 64.4% of his passes for 1,341 yards, 5 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, and a 89.1 QB rating.
These aren’t numbers that will wow you, but their acceptable numbers for a 34 year old back up quarterback. Taylor, like Jalen Hurts, also gives you the mobility at the quarterback position.
Fit with the Eagles: Back-up quarterback who can keep the ship afloat for a game or two if needed
QB Jacoby Brissett
- 31 Years Old
- 8 Year Pro
- 48 Career Starts
Jacoby Brissett is someone who’s familiar with Nick Sirianni and he’s somewhat of a better version of the Tanner McKee or Gardner Minshew mold of back up quarterback that they’ve shown a liking to in recent years.
Brissett has shown on multiple occasions that he’s a very solid starting quarterback when needed. Over the course of his career, Brissett has played for 5 different NFL teams. In his last two seasons (13 total starts), Brissett has thrown for 15 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. He also adds another variation of the tush push, as he’s one of the best short yardage quarterbacks in the NFL.
Fit with the Eagles: Solid back-up quarterback who has familiarity with the head coach
Cover Image Credit: Mitchell Leff/Getty Images
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