The Philadelphia Eagles are in a pretty solid spot heading into the 2023 off-season. The most important thing for the front office will be retaining their free agents set to hit the open market. Until they figure that out, pinpointing what their game plan is for the offseason is virtually impossible.
The Eagles have 11 starters and key rotation pieces from their defense hitting free agency. That could create some needs depending on who returns and leaves. Offensively, Philadelphia could have a few holes to fill as well with key contributors set to hit the open market.
General manager Howie Roseman will certainly have his work cut out for him in the coming weeks. Keeping everyone is an impossible task, so backup plans need to be put into place. Who could they set their sights on as a result? Here are three free agents that the Eagles should pursue this offseason.
3. EDGE Jadeveon Clowney
The Eagles had a historically productive pass rush during the 2022 season. Hasaan Reddick, Javon Hargrave, Josh Sweat and Brandon Graham all recorded double-digit sacks on the season, the first quartet to do that in NFL history. Fletcher Cox added 7.0 of his own as Philadelphia was relentlessly rushing the passer.
However, the group could look much different in 2023. Hargrave, Graham and Cox are all free agents. Backup Robert Quinn, who was acquired ahead of the trade deadline, is also hitting free agent.
In need of some bodies, the Eagles should look into someone such as Jadeveon Clowney. He can offer some juice as a pass rusher, but where he would really help them is in run defense. Philadelphia ranked 16th in rushing yards allowed last season and could use a little shoring up in that area. Clowney is an excellent edge setter and would be a great third option as a pass rusher behind Reddick and Sweat.
2. RB D’Onta Foreman
The Eagles may need to revamp their entire running back depth chart for the 2023 season. Miles Sanders and Boston Scott, who combined for 85.2 percent of the rushing yards by running backs last season, are both hitting free agency.
They will likely try hard to bring back at least one, if not both of them. But, if they are unable to do that, it is hard to imagine Philadelphia going to the top of the market for a replacement. That would make someone such as D’Onta Foreman an ideal target.
Foreman could combine to make a nice one-two punch with pass-catching running back Kenneth Gainwell, the only running back under contract for 2023 currently. He had a great season for the Carolina Panthers in 2022, setting multiple career highs, taking over the backfield after Christian McCaffrey was traded to the San Francisco 49ers. While he doesn’t have much of an impact in the passing game, he would be an affordable option as a lead back for early downs.
1. CB Patrick Peterson
There is going to be a lot of attention on the secondary for the Eagles this off-season. They are going to do what they can to retain cornerback James Bradberry and safety C.J Gardner-Johnson, but things don’t always go according to plan in free agency.
If Bradberry moves on, the team is going to have to find a capable replacement opposite of Darius Slay. Veteran Patrick Peterson could be an ideal target to fill that void coming off an excellent 2022 season.
Peterson was the only bright spot in an otherwise underwhelming Minnesota Vikings secondary. He had one of the best seasons of his career, proving he still has plenty to offer a team. Looking for some bargains, the Eagles could try and get one with Peterson by selling him on the chance to compete for a ring.
