The NFL’s free agent frenzy is less than a month away, and teams around the league have been making moves to set themselves up to be players in one of the most important offseasons in a long time. Perennial doormats are set to change their franchise fortunes while others prefer to stay the course with efficient player personnel decisions.
According to Over The Cap, the New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts, Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills will start out free agency with the most cap space, while the Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars are in an uphill battle to free up space to compete for roster additions.
The Eagles must address Nick Foles and his contract situation first, but with free agency looming, here are five potential targets the Eagles should covet and have serious interest in if they hit the open market.
Gerald McCoy — DT — Buccaneers
Fletcher Cox is a monster inside at defensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles, but could you imagine the terror the All-Pro would rain down on opponents if he had a three-technique like Gerald McCoy beside him? McCoy, who has spent all nine of his NFL seasons in the Bucs’ 4-3 scheme, is to make $13 million next year (none guaranteed) if he remains on the roster. The Bucs are about $16.5 million under the salary cap going into 2019, so there is a real chance he won’t return.
McCoy would definitely fit with the Eagles scheme-wise and financially. Cox is under contract for $11.9 million in 2019 and the Eagles hold a team option for Timmy Jernigan. With Haloti Ngata a free agent and likely to retire, that would leave only Treyvon Hester and Bruce Hector as the backups.
Mark Ingram — RB — Saints
If the Eagles aren’t prepared to bring Jay Ajayi back, then Ingram is definitely a player Howie Roseman and company should be checking for. Ingram is a solid locker room guy who flourished while sharing a backfield with Alvin Kamara and would provide the Birds with some toughness and explosiveness at the running back position. Signing Ingram would still allow the Eagles to feature Corey Clement, Josh Adams and Darren Sproles in spurts if they choose.
Dante Fowler Jr — pass rusher — Rams
If the Philadelphia Eagles are prepared to let Brandon Graham walk in free agency, then they’ll need to find his replacement as well, and a guy who’ll be able to function in a rotation, or start from day one. The former Jaguars star showed his worth after being traded to LA and helping the Rams reach the Super Bowl. Fowler was solid in action according to Pro Football Focus, earning an above average grade for the first time in his four year career this season (68.2). Fowler turned it on for the Rams, accounting for 29 quarterback pressures and four sacks in his 12 games played. The young pass rusher fits the Eagles scheme.
Kareem Jackson — CB — Texans
If Darby is set to cash out and the Eagles choose to add a veteran cornerback to the mix, then Jackson could be a viable option for Jim Schwartz and company. Jackson can play both safety and cornerback and is coming off a season in which he had 87 tackles, five tackles for loss, two interceptions, 17 pass breakups, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one sack.
Golden Tate — WR — Eagles
The Eagles could choose to part ways with Nelson Agholor, and if Philly is set on adding wide receiver help via free agency, Tate is the best player available. Even at the age of 30, he’s still a home run hitter who should be able to create chaos from the slot after a full offseason with Carson Wentz.
