Veteran Free-Agent Contracts Eagles Must Consider Before Training Camp

General manager Howie Roseman has already taken big steps to make the 2022 Philadelphia Eagles as competitive as possible, but the job of a GM is never truly done.

The Eagles have already signed a defensive star in Haason Reddick, traded for an offensive one in A.J. Brown and brought in one of the biggest stars in college football last season in Jordan Davis.

It's a lot of talent acquisition that should have the Eagles aiming high next season.

Yet, there are still some areas where reinforcements would be a good idea.

The free-agent market has largely been picked over, but there are still some names out there who could help teams.

With the Eagles placing some large bets on themselves to have a successful season next year, these veterans are worth a look on team-friendly contracts.

TE Eric Ebron

AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Eric Ebron, above, is brought down by Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Dallas Goedert broke out as the unquestioned TE1 on the roster last season. With the Eagles trading away Zach Ertz, the fourth-year player topped 800 receiving yards for the first time in his career.

Goedert is in a good position to continue to post great numbers, but the lack of depth at tight end is something that's concerning for the team.

Utilizing more 1-2 personnel (one running back, two tight ends) is something the Eagles can do to enhance their potent ground game. Having the additional blocking on the field is good, but it's important that the second tight end is at least a threat in the passing game.

Jack Stoll isn't going to be that guy. He only saw eight targets last season, and it's hard to see that role expanding.

Enter Eric Ebron. The 29-year-old was a disappointment in Pittsburgh last season but is just a year removed from a 56-catch, 568-yard season with five touchdowns.

The 6'4", 253-pounder isn't as fast as he once was, but he's a physical veteran who could add another dimension to a promising offense on paper.

TE Kyle Rudolph

Mike Stobe/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 24: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Kyle Rudolph #80 of the New York Giants in action against A.J. Bouye #24 of the Carolina Panthers at MetLife Stadium on October 24, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. New York Giants defeated the Carolina Panthers 25-3. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

Eric Ebron has always been a bit frustrating. His catch rate has fluctuated around 60 percent for most of the last five years. Nick Sirianni personally watched him drop nearly 10 percent of his targets as the Colts' offensive coordinator in 2019.

So, if his questionable hands are a non-starter for the Eagles, they could turn their search for a second tight end to Kyle Rudolph.

The 32-year-old doesn't necessarily have the same athleticism, but he's reliable. He has just one drop over the past four seasons.

Rudolph might not be a devastating blocker, but he's a big-bodied option that has a lot of experience. He was on the field for some great rushing attacks in Minnesota without being a liability.

That makes the two-time Pro Bowler more qualified than anyone the Eagles have right now to be Dallas Goedert's running mate.

Given that he's still available, Rudolph is worth a small one-year contract to prove he can still contribute.

CB Xavier Rhodes

AP Photo/Rick Scuteri

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Xavier Rhodes (27) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

The Eagles have dipped into the late free-agency game already to address their cornerback situation with the signing of James Bradberry. The former New York Giant is going to help create a formidable duo on the outside with Darius Slay.

The problem is the Eagles still don't have much depth at the position. It's a role you can never have enough of.

Philadelphia will largely be depending on development to fill in the gaps behind Slay, Bradberry and Avonte Maddox, and will be relying heavily on rookies and sophomores such as Zech McPhearson, Tay McGowan and Kary Vincent Jr.

That isn't to say those guys will automatically let the team down, but it helps to have some experience in the secondary.

That's where Xavier Rhodes could help. He may no longer be a Pro Bowler, but he has continued to be a starter in the league and has familiarity with defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon.

With Gannon serving as the defensive backs coach in Indianapolis, Rhodes allowed a completion percentage of just 51.9 percent in 2020.

Perhaps Gannon can help the 32-year-old optimize the final stages of his career while helping the Eagles address an area that could still be considered a weakness.