The NFL’s legal tampering period began on Monday at noon.
It marked the first chance if the offseason for NFL teams to improve their roster and while it started off slow, it eventually picked up.
For the Eagles, it was an extremely active day (and there is more to come).
Here’s a breakdown of every move.
Landon Dickerson Extension
The Eagles began the day by extending the contract of G Landon Dickerson. The four-year deal has a max value of $87 million ($84 million base) with $50 million guaranteed and a $20 million signing bonus.
The AAV of $21 million per year makes Dickerson the highest paid guard in NFL history and it’s well deserved.
The 25-year-old Dickerson was selected in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft. Dickerson entered the NFL with injury concerns, but he’s played in 95.3% of offensive snaps since being drafted.
And he’s been among the league’s best offensive linemen, against the run and pass. Per advanced stats from both ESPN and PFF, Dickerson had quite possibly the best year of his career in 2023.
Dickerson finished as the best interior offensive lineman in ESPN’s run blocking win rate (81%) and fourth in pass blocking win rate (96%). Per Pro Football Focus, Dickerson finished 17th of 79 eligible guards in their 2023 season grades.
Dickerson is the seventh offensive linemen (2nd selected outside of the first round) since 2011 to earn at least two Pro Bowl nods on the initial ballot in his first three seasons.
Eagles Agree to Terms With Bryce Huff
The Eagles agreed to terms with Bryce Huff on a three-year, $51.1 million contract according to multiple reports. Huff’s deal also includes $34 million guaranteed.
As stated in my Eagles Free Agency Primer, Huff has primarily been a 3rd down pass rusher throughout his time in the NFL, but he’s been among the league’s best in that role.
Last season, Huff was sixth in both pass rush win rate (24.1%) and pressures on 3rd and 4th down (per Pro Football Focus). He was also 2nd in pass rush pressure percentage last season.
Over the past two seasons combined Huff also ranks third in QB hit rate among NFL pass rushers with at least 400 pass rush snaps (per TruMedia).
The skinny on the entire ordeal is, Huff has been amongst the league’s most efficient pass rushers. Make no mistake about it, Huff can get after the quarterback. He’s young (26 years old), he’s been productive, and he fits what defensive coordinator, Vic Fangio, wants to do.
The main caveat with Huff is though, he hasn’t been a full time player. Throughout his four-year career with the Jets, Huff never played more than 51% of the team’s defensive snaps in a given season. But again, he’s been among the league’s elite at rushing the passer.
For context, Huff amassed 33 pressures last season. Eagles’ pass rushers Josh Sweat and Haason Reddick recorded 37 and 35 respectively.
The difference? Huff played 480 defensive snaps, while Sweat and Reddick played 828 and 862, respectively.
There is some projection involved with this signing, just because you truly don’t know if the production in a limited role will be the same in a full time role. Huff also struggles against the run at times.
But there are reasons for optimism.
Huff’s fit in a Vic Fangio defense is almost perfect. OLB ability to rush the passer is key to every defensive scheme, but in Fangio’s it might be most important.
Look at players like Khalil Mack, Bradley Chubb, and even Malik Reed, who had 13 sacks in two seasons with Fangio in Denver.
Fangio’s defenses require defensive ends/OLBs to be edge setters in base sets, possess elite pass rush ability in nickel and other sub-packages, and drop into coverage on occasion.
Huff does all of those things (one way more than the others), it’s just a question of whether or not he can do them on a consistent basis and as a full-time player.
As stated, there is certainly some projection involved in the signing. It’s a bit of a risk vs. reward assessment. Is this an ascending player, or is this a player who’s sort of capped out in terms of what he can be?
Howie Roseman and co. seem to think this is an ascending player and it makes sense that they do. Time will tell if they are correct.
Howie Roseman does a complete 180 and pays a RB
Hell has frozen over. Howie Roseman has given legit money to a running back in 2024.
In their third move of the day, the Eagles agreed to terms with former New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley on a three-year, $37.75 million contract which can elevate to $46.75 million. The deal also includes $26 million guranteed.
To me, it’s pretty simple. Howie Roseman saw a chance to add one of the best football players on the planet and he jumped at the opportunity.
Saquon Barkley is an explosive and dynamic runner of the football. He’s a threat to score every time he touches the ball, either on the ground or through the air.
His instincts and vision as a runner are among the league’s best. In the words of our own Mar’Quell Fripp-Owens, Barkley is a ‘shot creator’ at the running back position.
Over the years in the NFC East, Howie Roseman, Kellen Moore, and the rest of the Eagles brass have all had a front row seat to watch Barkley flat out dominate at times.
The last time Howie Roseman spent premium money on a running back was over a decade ago when he signed LeSean McCoy to a five-year, $45 million extension. The 27-year-old Barkley being avaliable caused a philosophical shift for Roseman.
That should tell you a lot about what the Eagles organization thinks of Barkley and the type of talent he is.
The addition of Barkley puts the ceiling for the Eagles offense at or near the top of the NFL. On paper, they now have one of the most dangerous offensive units of the last decade with Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith (please pay him), Dallas Goedert, and now Saquon Barkley.
The Eagles add depth at pass rusher
As of right now (10:30 p.m. on Monday night), the Eagles last move was to add former Wisconsin and New Orleans Saints pass rusher, LB Zack Baun.
Per multiple reports, the Eagles agreed to terms with Baun on a one-year deal.
The signing of Baun is an interesting one. Sure he offers special team’s usage, but as of the 2023 season, he also showed he can rush the passer.
He’s coming off his most productive season as a pro where he amassed 30 tackles, 2 sacks, 4 QB hits, 2 pass break ups, and an interception in 247 snaps. Most of Baun’s time in 2023 was spent as a sub-package player.
The signing of Baun is sort of reminiscent of another player who’s had success in Vic Fangio’s defensive system: Andrew Van Ginkel, who finished the 2023 season with 69 tackles, 6 sacks and an interception.
Both players are semi-athletic and pass rushers with similar measurables and usage.
Baun can be used as a creeper on pressures or as a standup pass rusher. He can also drop and cover tight ends if needed.
Speaking with Ross Jackson of SI’s Saints News Network, Jackson said on Baun, “Stand-up pass rusher. That’s the role he should be in.”
“Let him pin his ears back and attack the passer or spy him to help match up with mobile quarterbacks,” Jackson added.
Don’t expect Baun to come in and light the world on fire, but he certainly will have a role within the defense.
What’s Next?
As of right now (10:45 p.m. on Monday night), it’s reported that the Eagles are in the market for secondary help, specifically safety.
Two players who make the most sense are former Broncos safety Justin Simmons and former Lions (and Eagles) safety, Chauncey Gardner-Johnson.
Both players would be excellent fits in the Fangio defense. Simmons because of the traits he possesses (range, instincts, and intelligence) and his experience with Fangio, and Gardner-Johnson because of his versatility (can play safety and nickel corner), instincts, and range.
According to JAKIB Sports’ Derrick Gunn, the Eagles have “a lot of interest” in Gardner-Johnson.
Cover Image Credit: Mitchell Leff/Getty Images
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