Bargain Contracts Eagles Must Consider in 2023 NFL Free Agency

Last year, Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman got to bring in some high-dollar outside talent. The trade for A.J. Brown and subsequent contract extension along with signing Haason Reddick set up an NFC Championship run.

This year, he's going to have to find some bargain-bin values.

The Eagles have pulled off some cap-room wizardry just to retain several talented contributors. They are bringing back James Bradberry, Brandon Graham and Fletcher Cox.

Yet they still have watched an exodus of talent leave because they couldn't afford to bring everyone back. C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Javon Hargrave, Miles Sanders, Isaac Seumalo and T.J. Edwards are just some of the players who have signed elsewhere this offseason.

Part of replacing them will come from drafting. The Eagles have done a nice job of planning for future departures through the draft. They also have four picks in the top 100 of the upcoming draft.

But they can still find some value in the free-agent market, especially as players start to become a little more desperate to land somewhere. Here are three offers they should consider making.

DT Shelby Harris

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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - SEPTEMBER 12: Shelby Harris #93 of the Seattle Seahawks looks on during the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at Lumen Field on September 12, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

For the most part, the Eagles' massive free-agent class has either re-signed with the team or signed elsewhere. Linval Joseph and Ndamukong Suh are two notable exceptions.

The veteran pair of defensive tackles combined for just 365 snaps, but they provided incredible depth on the interior. Joseph was still a strong run-stuffing nose tackle, while Suh provided even more pass-rushing punch to the best group in the NFL.

As the Eagles look for bargains on the free-agent market, it wouldn't be a bad idea to target at least one more veteran defensive tackle who can play a role.

Making that defensive lineman Shelby Harris would be a coup. Harris was part of the Russell Wilson trade to Seattle last season and only had two sacks with the Seahawks, but he had six in his final season with Denver and is a veteran with the versatility to play the 5-technique in odd fronts or the 3-technique in even alignments.

Harris is getting older (31 years old), so taking a part-time role in Philly could prolong his career and help get him paid by another team next season.

Proposed Contract: One-year, $3 million

CB Bryce Callahan

AP Photo/David Becker

Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Bryce Callahan (23) reacts after returning an interception for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)

The fact that C.J. Gardner-Johnson did not wind up back in Philly is a bit surprising and disappointing for the Eagles. The six interceptions were great, but what the Eagles are really going to miss is his versatility.

Not only could Gardner-Johnson play safety, but he was capable of playing in the slot if necessary. That's exactly what happened when Avonte Maddox was injured late in the season.

Gardner-Johnson came back from his own injury and played the slot, and the Eagles secondary didn't miss a beat.

With Gardner-Johnson in Detroit, the Eagles will have to move forward with new safeties, but they also need renewed depth in the slot, too.

Bryce Callahan is an aging veteran at 31 years old, but he's still a useful player. He picked off three passes and allowed a passer rating of 80.0 when targeted with the Chargers last year.

He still hasn't been signed. His age and slot-only skill set might drive down his market to the point the Eagles can afford him.

Proposed Contract: One-year, $1.3 million

S Rodney McLeod

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 26: Indianapolis Colts safety Rodney McLeod Jr. (26) lines up for a play during the NFL football game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Indianapolis Colts on December 26, 2022, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

C.J. Gardner-Johnson isn't the only safety the Eagles have lost. Marcus Epps is off to Las Vegas after playing an important role in Philly's defense last year.

So while the Eagles signed former New Orleans Saints safety Justin Evans, it's not enough to replace the production of both players. Evans has already missed three seasons in his career because of injury before coming back with the Saints and making four starts last season.

He's a lottery-ticket signing who could become a good piece in the secondary. There's also a chance he gets hurt or just doesn't work out.

That's why it would be a good idea for the Eagles to turn to a familiar face in Rodney McLeod. He's an aging option who will be 33 years old next season, but he started 13 games for the Eagles in 2021 and allowed a passer rating of 69.8.

McLeod is not a long-term option, but he's a good insurance policy who gives the Eagles an established floor at the position.

Proposed Contract: One-year, $2 million