As the free agency frenzy is set to take off, the Eagles will be somewhat active to fills holes, especially on the defense. Starting around $24 Million, Philadelphia can clear some more room by making key cuts and trades. Adding depth and keeping the young core together is definitely a priority; so adding productive pieces for specific roles, will be the focus of the new signings and upcoming draft picks.
The team also needs to be conscientious that Nick Foles is up for a new contract next season, and if he plays to last years standards will be due a hefty pay raise (meaning the will need to leave some money left untouched, while also using short term contracts for free agents).
CAP ROOM: $24 Million
CUTS
James Casey (Saves $2.9M)
Patrick Chung (Saves $2.25M)
Brad Smith (Saves $1.3M)
Damaris Johnson (Saves $570,000)
Jeff Maehl (Saves $570,000)
Alex Henry (Saves $540,00-During Training Camp)
NOT RESIGNED
Phillip Hunt
Michael Vick
Kurt Coleman
Arrelious Benn
Colt Anderson
CAP ROOM: $32 Million
RESIGNED
Donnie Jones (2 years/$5M: $2M Cap Hit)
Nate Allen (1 year/$2.5M: $2.5M Cap Hit)
Clifton Geathers (2 Years/$3M: $1.5M Cap Hit)
CAP ROOM: $26 Million
FREE AGENTS
Courtesy: Zimbio
Mike Mitchell (S Carolina Panthers)
Many reports are swarming that the Eagles are making a push for the young safety. He finally came into his own last year for the Panthers, after being a huge draft reach in 2009 by the Oakland Raiders. He is a physical presence that the defensive backfield desperately needs, with an intimidating factor for the passing game in the middle.
4 years, $20 Million ($5 Million Cap Hit)
Courtesy: Yahoo Sports
LaMarr Woodley (OLB Pittsburgh Steelers)
After a great run with the Steelers, they cannot justify keeping him around at his salary. He adds a veteran edge-rusher, probably best suited in a situational role at this point in his career. His leadership and championship experience brings depth to a terrible defensive passing game.
1 year, $3.5 Million ($3.5 Million Cap Hit)
Courtesy: Denver Post
Champ Bailey (DB Denver Broncos)
He is another player that has been rumored to the Eagles lately, and would add a strong veteran presence to a team lacking that among the defensive backs. He will likely be moving to Safety, so nobody knows how well he will perform with a position change and coming off a serious Lisfranc injury. He is a calculated risk that could become the next Rod Woodson or maybe just a sub-package player. Either way his leadership gives him value to a young team looking to make it to the next level.
2 years, $7 Million ($3.5 Million Cap Hit)
Courtesy: ESPN
Robert Meachem (WR New Orleans Saints)
Meachem has been a disappointment for the past two seasons, but has been a consistent deep threat. Though he will not catch many balls, his ability to stretch the field will be a welcome addition to Chip Kelly’s fast-paced offense.
1 year/$715,000: $715,000 Cap Hit
Courtesy: Rant Sports
Cam Thomas (DT San Diego Chargers)
Thomas adds bulk and depth to good young core along the DL. He is best suited in a rotation, while focusing on being a run-stuffer, clogging the middle. He is a big body that will come relatively cheap, filling in as a backup NT and DE on early downs.
2 years/$1.75M: $850,000 Cap Hit
CAP ROOM: $12.5 Million
TRADE
Courtesy: Philly.com
Eagles trade DE Brandon Graham to the Minnesota Vikings for 5th Round Pick and Conditional 2015 pick.
Though Graham is still developing, it is evident he does not fit Billy Davis’ scheme on defense. With Trent Cole remaining, Philadelphia cannot afford to keep both natural 4-3 DEs on the roster. It also saves about $1.5 in cap room as well.
CAP ROOM: $14 Million
DRAFT
Courtesy: CBS Sports
1 (22): Dee Ford (DE/OLB Auburn)
Ford is a speed rusher from one of the best defenses in the country, while tallying 11.5 sacks last season, against elite SEC competition. He is an explosive player that may be best suited to playing in a situational role to start his career, before developing as an every down OLB.
Player Comparison: Ahmad Brooks (OLB San Francisco 49ers)
Courtesy: NFL.com
2 (54): Billy Turner (OL North Dakota State)
The Eagles need to prepare for life without aging lineman, Jason Peters, Evan Mathis and Todd Herremans. Turner is an athletic lineman that can play any position along the line. He not only adds depth but versatility for the future.
Player Comparison: Todd Herremans (OL Philadelphia Eagles)
Courtesy: Rant Sports
3 (86): Pierre Desir (CB Lindewood)
Desir is a lengthy corner at 6’1”, who excels in man coverage. Though he played at a small school, he shined in both the East-West Shrine Game and the Senior Bowl. He may be a developmental corner, but fits the mold of the new NFL, that can match up with big WRs.
Player Comparison: Antonio Cromartie (CB New York Jets)
Courtesy: Bleacher Report
4 (118): Craig Loston (S LSU)
Loston will add another physical presence to the defensive backfield, as well as some leadership qualities. He can a tone-setter for the defensive with his big hits, but needs to groom his technique in open space.
Player Comparison: Reshad Jones (S Miami Dolphins)
Courtesy: CBS Sports
5 (136-From Minnesota Vikings): DeAnthony Thomas (RB/KR Oregon)
Thomas is a game-changer in the open field, with his ability to go the distance from anywhere on the field. He is a valued return man, and can contribute in sub-packages on offense. Though he had a slow 40 time at the combine (4.5), Chip Kelly understands how to utilize his tools and welcomes more speed to the offense.
Player Comparison: Dexter McCluster (RB/WR/KR Kansas City Chiefs)
Courtesy: Bleacher Report
5 (150): Cody Hoffman (WR BYU)
Hoffman has a good combination of size and hands to be a slot receiver in the NFL. The Eagles will be looking for a middle of the field, short yardage threat with the recent release of Jason Avant. He adds depth that can play any of the WR roles if need be.
Player Comparison: Austin Collie (WR New England Patriots)
Courtesy: Sports Illustrated/CNN
5 (158-From New England Patriots): Michael Sam (DE/OLB Missouri)
He made the monumental announcement of his homosexuality, but there is not a team more prepared for the media storm than the Eagles. After transgressions with Michael Vick and Riley Cooper over the past couple years, the team understands how to defer attention. He was an ultra-productive pass-rusher in college, evidenced by his Co-Defensive Player of the Year Award in the SEC in 2013. The Eagles need help on the edge and Sam attacks the QB with ferocity, but will only play in a limited situational pass-rusher role.
Player Comparison: Rob Ninkovich (OLB New England Patriots)
Courtesy: Yahoo.com
7 (216): Zach Kerr (DL Delaware)
Kerr is a big body that has played in several different schemes, while in college. He can eat up space and add more size to the DL. He is another player that was highly productive against inferior competition, but has a willingness to do whatever to help his team.
Player Comparison: Cam Thomas (DL San Diego Chargers)
UDFA SIGNINGS
Courtesy: CBS Sports
Colt Lyerla (TE Oregon)
Lylera has a troubled past but first round talent. Fits perfectly as a H-Back type for the coach that recruited him in college.
Player Comparison: James Casey (TE Philadelphia Eagles)
Courtesy: ESPN
Keith Price (QB Washington)
Price has the gifts many expected Chip Kelly to look for in a QB. The elusive signal caller coincides with the coaches draft philosphy of acquiring players he is familiar with from his college days.
Player Comparison: Thad Lewis (QB Buffalo Bills)
Courtesy: Philly.com
Glenn Carson (LB Penn State)
Carson is a local product best suited as a 3-4 MLB. Never really wowed in college, but Eagles need depth and he has potential.
Player Comparsion: Dan Connor (LB Carolina Panthers)
Courtesy: Bleacher Report
Anthony Fera (K Texas)
He was one of the best kickers in college last year and the Eagles need to bring in competition for struggling Alex Henery.
Player Comparison: Justin Tucker (K Baltimore Ravens)
Courtesy: Zimbio
Jeremy Gallon (WR Michigan)
The speedster can be a special teams ace in the NFL, as well as add depth to a receiver core that wants to play fast.
Player Comparison: Trindon Holliday (WR/KR Denver Broncos)
Courtesy: Zimbio
Kevin Danser (OL Stanford)
He is a road-grader type OL that fits well in the Eagles run-heavy offense.
Player Comparison: Cody White (OL Houston Texans)
Courtesy: Zimbio
Shaquille Richardson (CB Arizona)
He is a bigger corner, worth a shot as a developmental DB prospect, as another player from the PAC 12 that Kelly is familiar with.
Player Comparison: DeShawn Shead (Seattle Seahawks)
DEPTH CHART
QB: N. Foles, M. Barkley, K. Price
RB: L. McCoy, B. Brown, C. Polk, D. Thomas
TE: B. Celek, Z. Ertz, C. Lylera
WR: D. Jackson, J. Maclin, R. Cooper, R. MEACHEM, C. Hoffman
LT: J. Peters, A. Barbre
LG: E. Mathis
C: J. Kelce, J. Vandervelde
RG: T. Herremans, B. Turner
RT: L. Johnson, D. Kelly
——————–
LDE: F. Cox, V. Curry
NT: B. Logan, C. THOMAS, Z. Kerr
RDE: C. Thornton, C. Geathers
LOLB: C. Barwin, L. WOODLEY
MLB 1: D. Ryans, N. Goode
MLB 2: M. Kendricks, C. Matthews
ROLB: T. Cole, D. Ford, M. Sam
CB 1: C. Williams, P. Desir
CB 2: B. Fletcher, R. Carmichael
NICKEL: B. Boykin
FS: C. BAILEY, N. Allen
SS: M.MITCHELL, E. Wolff, C. Loston
——————–
LS: J. Dorenbos
K: A. Fera
P: D. Jones
PRACTICE SQUAD: D. Square, G. Carson, K. Danser, J. Gallon, S. Richardson, J. Knott, M. Tobin
