Hot Takes, Predictions for Eagles' Most Impactful Free-Agent Signings

Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman had to do quite the high-wire act with the salary cap this offseason, but he still managed to bring in a notable free-agent class.

While working to retain the likes of James Bradberry, Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox, he managed to sign a number of external free agents who should make an impact this season. Running back Rashaad Penny, linebacker Nicholas Morrow and safety Terrell Edmunds highlight the class of new additions.

The Eagles' ability to return to the Super Bowl in 2023 will partially depend on how well these new faces will work to replace a sizable class of departing free agents. Running back Miles Sanders, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, linebacker T.J. Edwards and safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson are among the key contributors from last year's squad that will don different colors this season.

Let's take a look at some hot takes and predictions for three of the Eagles' free-agent signings.

Rashaad Penny Will Lead Team in Rushing

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 01: Philadelphia Eagles running back Rashaad Penny (23) participates in the Philadelphia Eagles OTA on June 1, 2023 at the NovaCare Training Complex in Philadelphia, Pa. (Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Philadelphia Eagles defense is set up to frustrate fantasy managers and opposing defenses alike. Miles Sanders was a star last season, but the Eagles will likely utilize a committee to replace him.

They traded with the Detroit Lions for D'Andre Swift and signed Rashaad Penny from the Seattle Seahawks. The new duo will compete with incumbents Kenneth Gainwell and Boston Scott to carve out roles in a backfield that suddenly has a lot of depth.

However, Penny is arguably the best pure runner of the bunch. Health is the primary factor that has held him back in his career. He has yet to play more than 10 games since his rookie season, when he played 14 in a limited role.

But when Penny has been healthy, he's been highly productive. In five starts with the Seahawks last season, he averaged 6.1 yards per carry, with 3.1 coming after contact.

Playing in the Eagles deep crew of running backs should help keep him healthy. He might not hit the same numbers that Sanders did, but there's a good chance he leads the team in rushing with Swift and Gainwell getting more of the receiving work.

Nicholas Morrow Will Not Be a Starter by Season's End

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUN 1: Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nicholas Morrow (41) speaks during a press conference at Philadelphia Eagles OTA's on June 1, 2023 at Novacare Complex in Philadelphia, PA (Photo by John Jones/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Nicholas Morrow played every defensive snap for the Chicago Bears last season and led them in tackles with 116 combined tackles. But those numbers might be overrating what he can bring to the Eagles defense.

For one, the Bears defense was bad last season. They finished last in points allowed per game and 31st in yards allowed per play. The fact that Morrow stood out statistically on that unit speaks more to his share of the snaps than anything he did to elevate the defense.

While Morrow was an every-down player for the Bears last season, that was the first time he played that kind of role. In his first four seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders, he never played more than 75 percent of the snaps.

Then there's the size concern. Morrow is listed as 6'0" and 216 pounds, while fellow linebacker Nakobe Dean is listed at 5'11" and 231 pounds. Playing both at the same time may prove to be difficult against run-based teams like the San Francisco 49ers.

Morrow's versatility is a welcomed addition to the defense. He was a fine signing after T.J. Edwards and Kyzir White left in free agency. But Shaun Bradley, Christian Elliss or Davion Taylor shouldn't be discounted as potential starters, either.

Terrell Edmunds Will Have Career Year

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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 8: Terrell Edmunds #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on during OTAs at the NovaCare Complex on June 8, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

C.J. Gardner-Johnson had his most productive season during his lone year with the Eagles. He was an effective player with the New Orleans Saints, but he set career highs in tackles (67) and interceptions (six) after getting traded to the Eagles.

Playing in front of the Eagles' incredible defensive line with star cornerbacks James Bradberry and Darius Slay on the outside put Gardner-Johnson in position to make more plays than ever before. So Terrell Edmunds probably made a great decision when he signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Eagles.

Much like Gardner-Johnson, Edmunds proved to be a capable player with the team that drafted him. He was a five-year starter with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he didn't have a lot of big plays. He had only five interceptions and five sacks in five years.

Edmunds isn't the same kind of players as Gardner-Johnson, but he has the opportunity to thrive on the back end of the defense. With both Marcus Epps and Gardner-Johnson gone, the safety competition is wide open for the Eagles, and Edmunds has already shown he can start in the league.

Expect him to earn one of the starting spots and have a career year on an incredibly talented defense.