Free agency is about two weeks away, and the Philadelphia Eagles have several players set to hit the open market. General manager Howie Roseman has to make critical decisions to fill roster holes.
While Roseman will likely look to the free agent market for answers, several in-house free agents are candidates to sign an extension ahead of free agency.
The Birds are set to have 20 pending free agents, and with another likely retool schedule on defense, the organization could conjure up a scheme for more flexibility.
According to Over the Cap’s potential transaction chart, the Eagles can easily create $35.4 million in cap space by making these five moves.
With the new league year fast approaching, we’re looking at one pending free agent from each NFC team that could interest Philadelphia.
Tony Pollard, RB, Cowbboys
Pollard logged more than 3,600 rushing yards and more than 1,300 receiving yards over four seasons in Dallas with Kellen Moore as the offensive play-caller.
Xavier McKinney, S, Giants
McKinney fits the profile of the new age of NFL safety play.
The 2020 second-round NFL Draft pick is just 24 and has been a captain for the past two seasons.
McKinney was sidelined for the first 10 games of his rookie season with a broken foot, but showed his durability by playing all 1,128 defensive snaps this season.
McKinney can play deep as a free safety, play the run in the box and cover tight ends in man coverage.
Antonio Gibson, RB, Commanders
Gibson finished 2023 with 65 carries for 265 yards and a touchdown and 48 catches for 389 yards and two touchdowns on 59 targets.
Gibson offers a rare combination of size and speed.
Darnell Mooney, WR, Bears
Mooney’s most productive season came in 2021 when he totaled career-highs in catches (81) and receiving yards (1,055) at age 24. The Eagles would also provide a soft landing spot with the ability to line up as a No. 3 alongside A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson, DB, Lions
Gardner-Johnson tore a pectoral muscle in Week 2 and did not play again until the regular-season finale against Minnesota. He finished the regular season with 16 tackles and one INT in three games, primarily playing at single-high safety but also with a healthy dose of box safety and slot corner mixed in.
In 2022 with the Eagles, Gardner-Johnson led the NFL in interceptions with six picks in just 12 games, and Roseman could look to bring him back.
A.J. Dillon, RB, Packers
Dillon (thumb/neck) logged 178 carries for 613 yards and two touchdowns while adding 22 receptions for 223 yards over 15 games in the 2023 season.
Dillon saw action in Green Bay’s first 14 games of the season, but his yards per carry have dipped each of the last three seasons and Philadelphia could be the perfect change of scenery.
K.J. Osborn, WR, Vikings
The veteran wideout recorded career lows in receptions (48), yards (540) and touchdowns (three) in 2023.
Van Jefferson, WR, Falcons
Jefferson caught 12 of 28 passes for 101 yards in 12 appearances for the Falcons in 2023. He caught eight of 15 targets for 108 yards in five appearances with the Rams.
The Rams shipped Jefferson to the Falcons in mid-October.
Frankie Luvu, LB, Panthers
ESPN’s Aaron Schatz predicts the Eagles will make a run at Carolina Panthers linebacker Frankie Luvu as a top offseason priority.
During the 2023 season, Luvu logged 125 total tackles and 7.5 sacks, forced two fumbles, and broke up five passes for Carolina.
Malcolm Roach, DT, Saints
Roach logged 38 tackles and three passes defended across 12 appearances during the 2023 season.
Roach logged a career high in tackles before sustaining a significant knee injury that sent him to injured reserve for the final five games of the 2023 season.
Devin White, LB, Buccaneers
White finished the 2023 regular season with 83 tackles (49 solo), including 2.5 sacks, two interceptions and an additional four defensed passes across 14 games. He added three assisted tackles in the Buccaneers’ two postseason games.
Marquise Brown, WR, Cardinals
Brown had 51 catches for 574 yards and scored 4 touchdowns in 14 games in 2023, and with Quez Watkins set to depart, he could be a potential third option.
Kevin Dotson, OL, Rams
The Rams acquired Dotson in a trade with the Steelers last summer and he turned out to be their best lineman of the 2023 season. He was one of the top guards in the NFL and should earn a hefty raise this offseason.
Chase Young, DE, 49ers
The former No. 2 overall pick did have 66 pressures and 7.5 sacks in 16 games with the 49ers and Washington Commanders. Just 24, Young could be perfect for a rebuilding Eagles defense.
Jordyn Brooks, LB, Seahawks
Brooks is Coming off a third straight 100-plus tackle season.
After recovering from a torn ACL suffered in January 2023, Brooks played in 16 out of 17 games, logging 111 tackles, a career-best 4.5 sacks, and eight tackles for loss despite seeing a decrease to 72 percent of the team’s defensive snaps.
