The Eagles are heading into the 2022 NFL Draft loaded with ten picks, including 3 first rounders for the first time in franchise history. Even with that embarrassment of riches, every hole on the roster can not be filled during the draft.
Positions that could be addressed via free agency or trade: Wide Receiver, Safety, Edge Rusher, Cornerback, or Linebacker.
Howie Roseman will look into every available free agent, but I would pay particular attention to wide receiver and safety. Both positions have young ascending players who seemingly fit into what the Eagles like to do.
The wide receiver position is the most pressing need on offense. Whether you are a Jalen Hurts fan, or are in the camp that desires a veteran QB like Russell Wilson, the team needs more wide outs. DeVonta Smith is a future number one receiver. After his rookie season, there aren’t many people who can argue that. Quez Watkins has proven to be deserving of a starting role as well, but might be best as a 3rd WR. The Eagles will be looking at a veteran wideout to pair with their two very young starters. As opined during the Championship Games, a QB is only as good as their third receiver. JJAW, Reagor and Ward should not be filling that role going into 2022.
Wide Receivers (6)
Chris Godwin: If they’re willing to take the injury risk, Penn St and Middleton, DE native Chris Godwin is available. He has great hands and body control. Chris had 82 receptions through week 15, when he was injured(torn ACL MCL). He is versatile and wins 50/50 balls. With DeVonta occupying the X, Godwin would compliment him by working out of the Z. The negative, aside from the injury risk, is his inability to to fight off press man coverage consistently. Godwin will probably command a 3 year 50 million dollar deal or even a 4/65.
Mike Williams: Another name to look out for. He isn’t the quickest player, but he does have the size the Eagles are missing from the wide receiver core. He would be a good red zone threat to pair with Dallas Goedert. His injury history makes it hard to project his value. He played well in 2021, but most guys do in a contract year. The Eagles will have interest, but at what cost. He could get anywhere from a 3–5 year contract worth 50–70 million.
Allen Robinson: Robinson has some of the traits another former Bear who came to Philadelphia displayed. He has great hands, and has demonstrated his ability to win 50/50 balls time and time again. He does not have explosive speed, but with Quez, that may not be an issue depending on the role he will play. His injury history is a concern and will probably cost him in free agency. His market could be in the 3 year range. Most projections show 10–14 million a year. A three year deal with only 2 of it guaranteed would be ideal for Philly. My concern with Allen is: I read his lack of production was caused due to “He never played with a good QB”. After two years of watching Jalen Reagor, that isn’t exactly encouraging. Not that I am comparing them in any way. Robinson has been far superior.
DJ Clark: The Jaguars drafted DJ in the 2nd round of the 2018 draft out of LSU. His 2019 campaign was fantatsic. He brought in 73 catches for 1008 yards and 8 touchdowns. Everything you want from a 2nd round pick. He was limited to 12 games and 700 yards in 2020 and only played in 4 games in 2021. Coming off a fractured ankle that he suffered in week 4, he should be healthy for the spring. He turns 26 in September, so there is reason to believe he could rekindle some of that 2019 magic again. One to watch.
Michael Gallup: He would be an upgrade, but I don’t know if he has the attributes, or the drop rate, that the Eagles want to invest 40–50 million in. He will probably get a 4 year deal with 30 million guaranteed. At 25 years old, he will surely have a healthy market.
OBJ: Long shot, but who knows. He will be available, and would be a clear upgrade at the position.
The cost to acquire one of the veteran receivers will not come cheap. They need someone experienced in the room. At what cost, remains to be seen. Howie and the Eagles will need to determine a value to place on that. Drafting another WR in the first could happen again well.
Safties (3)
Justin Reid: The 24 year old Houston Texan becomes an unrestricted free agent when the new year begins in March. The 3rd round pick out of Stanford has played in 57 games and been the mainstay in the Texans defense. The safety has 315 tackles and 7 interceptions since coming into the league and at 24 year old would be a long term solution to one of the biggest needs on the team. With Anthony Harris and Rodney McLeood not under contract for 2022, the Eagles could have two new starters at the position next season.
Marcus Williams: The Saints free safety is reaching what should be the prime of his career, at 26 years old. If the Eagles are willing to spend some money at the position, he is likely one of the safer bets as he hasn’t been injured in his NFL career. He may never get over being the player exposed in the playoff game that sent the Vikings to Philly (on the Eagles way to their first Super Bowl win) but he will command a 4 or 5 year contract worth 15 million a year.
Jess Bates III: Like Marcus Williams, injury will not be a concern with Bates. He is likely to be franchised by the Bengals if a long term deal is not worked out, but he is someone to monitor if he hits the market.
Edge (1) I think they are going to draft one, possibly two Edge rushers in April. If they wanted to the route of free agency, there is one who I would think is a good option.
Emmanuel Ogbah: He will probably command a 3 year 50 million dollar contract, but appears to be an ascending player. He is good against the run and has been improving his pressures every year in the league. I do not think the Eagles would get into this price range, but Howie does like gambling on players with upside, and Ogbah does seem to be on the rise.
***Two possible trade options at the position, interestingly, are from the same team. The Packers Za’Darius Smith andPreston Smith are both free agents in 2023, and would not have more value in a trade than they do now. A third round pick might get a deal done for one of them, if Howie has interest.
Cornerbacks: (1) The Eagles probably draft a corner in the first round (Kaiir or Gardner) but if they look into free agency, look no further than JC Jackson.
JC Jackson: If the Eagles want to invest at corner in the open market, JC is the best available. He has proven to be able to handle any assignment. He can play man, zone, and has elite coverage skills. He rarely gets beat deep, and if a ball comes his way he has as good a shot at catching it as the receiver he’s covering. JC will cash in this offseason with a lucrative contract in the 4 to 5 year range averaging upwards of 20 million a year. At 26 years old he has a lot of good years ahead of him and he would be a dream to pair with Slay while they develop the younger corners already on the roster.
Linebackers (2)
De’Vondre Campbell: The Green Bay Packer LB had a nice season. He proved to be durable, good against the run, and solid tackler. The decision every GM has to make is if they believe he can do it again. Nearing 30 years of age, his best football could be behind him. There will be teams willing to take a chance on the veteran this offseason. He could land a two year deal worth between 12–15 million.
Leighton Vander Esch: Eagles fans know him well. The Dallas Cowboy linebacker has had his share of injuries and would seemingly be a stretch for an Eagles team looking to avoid players with the injury bug. Even still, he would be an upgrade to what the Eagles have had, and might be worth a look. I would not expect a lucrative long term would be needed to acquire his services.
In addition to the possibility of moving one or more of their 10 draft picks, the Eagles could look into dealing OT Andre Dillard. They have no shot at recouping a first rounder back, but he has proven to be a solid back up at left tackle. He could start at LT on a lot of NFL teams and would probably net a 4th rounder back in a deal. A player for player swap could also be explored.
As always, Thank You for reading!
David 2/4/22
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