Eagles' Team Needs to Fill in 2024 NFL Free Agency
Following an unexpected late-season collapse in 2023, the Philadelphia Eagles are looking for a reset in 2024.
The Eagles already have new defensive and offensive coordinators in Vic Fangio and Kellen Moore, respectively. They'll now need to retool a roster that was inefficient on both sides of the ball from December on.
Philly will undoubtedly look to address a few key needs in the draft, where it holds the 22nd overall pick. However, had coach Nick Sirianni and general manager Howie Roseman must do good work in free agency as well.
The NFL recently announced that the salary cap will be a record $255.4 million, which leaves the Eagles with $32.5 million in projected cap space. That isn't an overwhelming amount, but it means that Philly can be a market player.
Here, we'll dive into three needs the Eagles must address ahead of April's draft.
Running Back
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The Eagles finished the 2023 season ranked eighth in rushing yards, and while much of their production came from quarterback Jalen Hurts, the Philadelphia backfield was serviceable.
However, lead back D'Andre Swift is slated to be a free agent next month, and the Eagles may be less than thrilled to pay him. A year ago, Philadelphia let Pro Bowler Miles Sanders walk and traded for Swift during the draft.
Backups Boston Scott and Rashaad Penny are also scheduled to be free agents.
If the Eagles take a similar approach to Swift, they'll need to add at least one back in free agency. The 2024 draft class isn't expected to be particularly strong at the position.
Florida State's Trey Benson is the top-ranked RB on the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's big board, and he's only the 49th overall prospect.
While the Eagles can't afford to overpay for a big name like Saquon Barkley or Josh Jacobs, they should be able to land a budget back like Gus Edwards or Zack Moss. Doing so would give the Eagles a little insurance before diving into the draft pool.
Center
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The Eagles still don't know whether starting center Jason Kelce will return for another run or call it a career in 2024.
"I don't know. I'm trying to figure it out right now," Kelce told Dana Carvey and David Spade on the Superfly podcast (h/t Bryan Fonseca of the New York Post).
If Kelce does retire, Philly will need a replacement. The Eagles could move Cam Jurgens over from guard to center, though that would leave another hole along the offensive line. They could also target a center in the draft, though he would come with a lack of pro experience.
Given Kelce's importance to the offense—and its infamous quarterback-push play—the Eagles should want experience at the position.
If Philly knows that Kelce won't return early in free agency, it can target one of the top centers, like Andre James or Mason Cole. If there's less certainty, it would still behoove the Eagles to target a player like Graham Glasgow or Allegretti for insurance purposes.
What the Eagles can't afford to do is enter training camp with a complete unknown at arguably the most important spot on their offensive line.
Cornerback
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During Philadelphia's late-season spiral, the back end of the defense became a major liability. Philadelphia finished the year ranked 31st in both passing yards and passing touchdowns allowed.
The secondary appeared even worse in the playoffs, as it offered little resistance during the wild-card loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Starting cornerback James Bradberry took a significant step backward in 2023, and fellow corner Bradley Roby is scheduled to become a free agent.
There are enough question marks at the corner spot, that Philly should address the position in both free agency and the draft.
The Eagles also have defensive needs at safety and linebacker, but cornerback is one of the deeper positions in this year's free-agent class. Ideally, the Eagles could land a top young talent like Jaylon Johnson or L'Jarius Sneed, but there are several other intriguing options.
The Miami Dolphins recently parted with Xavien Howard, and the list of impending free agents includes the likes of Stephon Gilmore, Chidobe Awuzie, Rock Ya-Sin and Steven Nelson.
Even if the Eagles plan to target a draft prospect like Terrion Arnold or Quinyon Mitchell early in the draft, they should add a veteran or two first.
*Cap information via Spotrac.
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