Eagles' Top Players to Prioritize in 2023 NFL Free Agency

Every NFL team is forced to prioritize players in free agency each year. In 2023, no team will be tasked with doing it more than the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Eagles' free-agent class is the most prolific in the league. General manager Howie Roseman did a fantastic job of building an NFC Championship-winning roster, but the downside of that is having several talented players ready to hit the market and not enough cap space to keep them all.

So the club is going to have to really evaluate who it can afford to pay for next season.

Some might be out of their price range. Javon Hargrave is projected to get a contract that pays him $20.1 million per year, per Spotrac. It isn't feasible to believe Philly will be the team that gives that to him.

Here are a few of the Eagles' own free agents that they can realistically bring back if they are willing to prioritize them, along with some options to bring in from the free-agent market.

S C.J. Gardner-Johnson

AP Photo/Matt Slocum

Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson celebrates during the second half of the NFC Championship NFL football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

One of the questions the Eagles have to ask for their in-house free agents is what the plan is to replace the free agent in question.

For a player like T.J. Edwards or Kyzir White, Nakobe Dean is waiting in the wings. If Isaac Seumalo catches on somewhere else, they have Jack Driscoll who could slot in at right guard, or Cam Jurgens while he waits for Jason Kelce to retire.

When you look at what C.J. Gardner-Johnson brings to the table, it's hard to envision who can step into the role for them. Gardner-Johnson can play a traditional safety role or serve as a slot cornerback.

His ability to understand coverage, make plays and lead with energy is a skill set that would be hard to replace with any one player on the roster or in the draft.

He's coming off a season in which he had an absurd six interceptions in 12 games. When Avonte Maddox went down with an injury, he seamlessly moved back into the slot, and the secondary didn't miss a beat.

That's not easily replaceable and should be prioritized.

CB James Bradberry

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Philadelphia Eagles' James Bradberry plays during an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Keeping with the same logic, the Eagles really don't have an obvious replacement for James Bradberry. If they are unable to retain him in free agency, it's likely going to be a top need when they enter the draft.

Granted, they are equipped with two first-round picks, but you really don't want to be pigeonholed into taking a specific position with a first-round selection. Ideally, the Eagles would have needs filled so they can simply add the best player available when they get on the clock.

But there aren't many options on the market who are going to do what Bradberry did for the secondary this season. Teaming up Bradberry with Darius Slay on the outside helped the pass rush get 70 sacks this year.

Bradberry allowed a passer rating of just 51.6 when targeted last year. It was one of Bradberry's best seasons, so it would make sense that he would want to come back. If the Eagles can find a way to clear the cap space and agree to terms, it would be setting up the defense for success for years to come.

WR Parris Campbell

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 26: Parris Campbell #1 of the Indianapolis Colts is introduced before the game against the against the Los Angeles Chargers at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 26, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Wide receiver depth is crucial in the league, so it never hurts to add to the receiving corps, even if it's led by A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. The Eagles obviously have a good receiver room, but Parris Campbell would give them a third receiver who could fit in nicely as a slot option and gadget play specialist.

Nick Sirianni should know what Campbell is capable of from their time in Cincinnati, although staying on the field has been a struggle for Campbell. The 2022 campaign was the first time he has played every regular-season game.

Despite all the injuries, Campbell was successful to the tune of 63 receptions for 623 yards and three touchdowns.

As Jalen Hurts becomes more comfortable with the offense, it will be up to Sirianni to add new wrinkles and variations to what they do. Having a player like Campbell could help a lot in that department.

He still showed off the speed after all his injuries. According to Next Gen Stats, he hit the highest speed in the league this year, cruising at 22.11 miles per hour on one run in Week 18.

That kind of speed is always good to have on offense. When it's the fourth option in the passing game, it can be really dangerous.