Early Free-Agent Contracts Eagles Must Consider

Howie Roseman and the Philadelphia Eagles navigated free agency beautifully last offseason. Key additions like Haason Reddick, James Bradberry and Kyzir White all contributed to one of the league's best defenses and an NFC Championship.

This year, free agency is going to look a little different.

The Eagles have just $1.1 million in cap space as we get closer to free agency. That's a number that is sure to go up as they restructure contracts, work on extensions and potentially make some cuts.

It's still a financial reality that most of the money the team spends this offseason should be spent on retaining as much of the current core as possible.

So when looking at free agents outside of the organization, the Eagles are going to have to be on the lookout for bargains. They likely won't make too many moves in the first wave of free agency, but these are some names they should keep an eye on as free agency progresses.

QB Marcus Mariota

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ATLANTA, GA DECEMBER 04: Atlanta quarterback Marcus Mariota (1) passes the ball during the NFL game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Atlanta Falcons on December 4th, 2022 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The free-agent class is already getting a boost as teams start making some cuts. The Atlanta Falcons sent Marcus Mariota to the free-agent pool, clearing $12 million by releasing their quarterback.

The Falcons tried to make Mariota their starter after he served as the Las Vegas Raiders' backup quarterback for two years. The veteran proved to be a good stop-gap but was benched late in the season for Desmond Ridder, and the Falcons obviously felt comfortable moving on.

At this point, it's clear that Mariota is a backup. Specifically, he makes a lot of sense for a team with a mobile, athletic starter that wants a secondary option who can run most of the same concepts.

That sounds a lot like the Eagles. Mariota showed off the wheels this season for the Falcons, rushing for 438 yards and four touchdowns in addition to his 15 passing touchdowns as the starter.

Gardner Minshew II is now a free agent. He made a lot of sense for the Eagles when it wasn't clear that Jalen Hurts was going to evolve into a starter and Minshew had a shot at taking that job.

That isn't the case anymore, and his style is too big a contrast when compared to Hurts'. As much as Hurts runs and takes contact, the Eagles would be wise to invest in a backup who can be a spot-starter without changing the offense too much.

Mariota is uniquely qualified for that spot and should be willing to come in at a relatively low price.

Contract to Consider: One year, $6 million

OG Nate Davis

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 10: Tennessee Titans guard Nate Davis (64) during the game between the Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars on October 10, 2021 at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Eagles are going to have the benefit of most of their starting offensive line coming back. Lane Johnson, Jordan Mailata and Landon Dickerson are all under contract. If Jason Kelce doesn't retire, he's going to have to come back on a team-friendly deal.

Right guard Isaac Seumalo stands out as the lone lineman who will likely play for someone else next season. The Eagles will either have to kick Jack Driscoll inside to play guard, move Cam Jurgens there, draft someone in that position or sign a veteran.

Seumalo likely played himself out of Philly. According to PFF, he only gave up one sack and posted a 75.2 grade. He's not quite on the wrong side of 30 yet, so there's a good chance he winds up as the highest-paid guard in this free-agent class.

That likely prices himself out of the Eagles' budget. But a veteran like Nate Davis could fill the void. Davis is 26 and has made 54 starts for the Tennessee Titans over the last four seasons.

The Titans have featured a physical run game in that time, so it's easy to see Davis fitting right in with the Eagles' excellent unit.

The fact that he's coming off an ankle injury that had him finish the season on IR might be enough to drive down his price and make him a bargain find for the Eagles.

Contract to Consider: Three years, $21 million. $15 million guaranteed

S Ryan Neal

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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 30: Ryan Neal #26 of the Seattle Seahawks reacts to a stop against the New York Giants during the first half at Lumen Field on October 30, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images)

Marcus Epps and C.J. Gardner-Johnson are both set to be free agents. Gardner-Johnson is likely a priority after the impact he had in his first season with the Eagles, but looking at options to pair with him on the back end will be important.

New defensive coordinator Sean Desai is coming over after serving as the Seattle Seahawks' associate head coach and defensive assistant for one season. It isn't uncommon for a new coordinator to bring at least one free agent with him.

That free agent could be Ryan Neal. He spent time playing both safety spots in Desai's defense and had the best year of his career doing it. He made the PFF All-Pro team and had six pass breakups while also being a solid run defender.

While that could lead to a big payday, Neal's one year of production might be a limiting factor in that. He's a fifth-year player with just one year of being a full-time starter. Teams might be afraid to invest too much money, and the Seahawks already have a lot of money tied up in Jamal Adams at the safety position.

That could lead Neal to giving the Eagles a bit of a discount. He gets the benefit of continuing to work with Desai while playing for a Super Bowl contender and hitting free agency again with another year of proving he can improve an NFL secondary.

Contract to Consider: One year, $6 million