Should The 2022 Eagles Go Shopping? – Three Free Agents To Target
The Eagles have built a complete roster.
They addressed their secondary issues with the addition of James Bradberry and league-wide interception leader Chauncey Gardner-Johnson. Across the defensive line, the Eagles bolstered the trenches by drafting behemoth Jordan Davis and acquiring veteran Robert Quinn. They also upgraded the linebacking corps with rookie Nakobe Dean for the future and an immediate upgrade in Kyzir White.
The Birds also prepared for the future on offense. They snagged Cam Jurgens in the second round to replace the legendary veteran Jason Kelce when he retires. Moreover, they secured legitimate superstar receiver AJ Brown in a trade while adding Zach Pascal as a slot contributor.
So what could the Eagles possibly need now?
Let’s find out!
Odell Beckham Jr – Free Agent WR
Sure, the Eagles have two high-powered receivers.
AJ Brown has been sensational in his debut season as an Eagle. He already has 718 receiving yards in just eight games, six touchdowns, and 30 first downs. He has been supported by second-year budding superstar DeVonta Smith, who, despite a donut in the season opener, has 442 yards and two scores.
What Beckham can secure for this team is a do-it-all weapon that can cause complete chaos for opposing defensive coordinators, who already cannot focus on both Brown and Smith. His addition would make life easier for Hurts, who would have four elite weapons as pass catchers.
Beckham had 305 yards in his eight regular season games in LA last season, contributing five touchdowns. In four postseason games, he had 288 yards, two touchdowns, and even a 40-yard pass.
His veteran leadership, savvy route running, and versatility would add an element to the Eagles that would make them almost impossible to stop.
Daryl Williams – Free Agent G/T
The Eagles have the NFL’s best offensive line.
Thus, building on this strength seems like a luxury. However, it is integral for Roseman to ensure that the Eagles can withstand any injuries across the trenches throughout the playoffs, as it is dependent on their team’s success.
Thus, Williams would bolster the backup room behind the likes of Lane Johnson, Isaac Seumalo, and Landon Dickerson, all of who have missed snaps this season due to minor injuries.
Moreover, last season on a pass-heavy Bills team, Williams played 1172 offensive snaps. Furthermore, he ended the season with a 72.4 PFF pass-blocking grade despite protecting on a whopping 778 snaps. Williams almost identically split snaps at RG and RT, with more than 570 at both. He has also shown the ability to be a plus run blocker in the past, achieving a solid 76.9 run blocking grade in 2020 while playing all of his 1050 snaps at right tackle.
Jared Cook – Free Agent TE
The Eagles have one of the best tight ends in the NFL.
Dallas Goedert has been dominant in his fifth season as a pro. He has appeared in eight games thus far, racking up 40 receptions and 521 yards. He has scored twice, pushed Jalen Hurts into the end-zone on multiple occasions, and contributed significantly as a run blocker. He has a fantastic ability to create yardage after the catch and has some of the most reliable hands in the NFL.
Behind him, the Eagles are shallow. Rookie Grant Calcaterra has the most promise yet has just one catch for 40 yards on the year. Jack Stoll has just three receptions for 38 yards, while Tyree Jackson has the same amount of grabs for 22. Philadelphia could benefit from a free-agent tight end that could contribute through the air.
Jared Cook is a veteran presence that could do just that. In addition, his pass-catching ability could significantly upgrade the NFL’s most complete offense, giving them further versatility in multiple tight-end sets. He was targeted 79 times in 2021 for the Los Angeles Chargers and produced 564 yards from 48 catches. He scored four touchdowns and contributed diversely.
Cook’s impact was felt with his versatility and multiple alignment flexibility. He had 284 snaps from the slot, 100 out wide, and 148 in line. The 6’5″, 254-pound weapon can be lined up in a variety of fashions and create chaos for opposing defensive coordinators.
Unfortunately, as a run blocker, Cook is certainly below average. He had a PFF grade of just 49.8 as a run blocker. His presence on the field could telegraph the Eagles’ intention on early downs, as he may need to be taken off the field to seal the edge in the run game effectively. The Eagles run many option plays, leaving the edge unblocked for Jalen Hurts to read so this potential weakness may be overstated.
Which of these moves do you think the Eagles should make?
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