Eagles' Last-Minute Guide to 2024 NFL Free Agency

The Philadelphia Eagles enter NFL free agency with a clear goal in mind.

The NFC East must improve the back end of its defense to be in contention for a return to the Super Bowl.

Philadelphia should be active in the robust free-agent safety market to replace the recently-released Kevin Byard.

The Eagles could also use help at linebacker, which was a weakness of the team in 2023 after T.J. Edwards and Kyzir White departed in free agency.

They already have an internal replacement for their top offensive need at center, where Cam Jurgens is expected to replace the retired Jason Kelce.

That makes running back one of the offensive priorities. They have to decide whether or not to keep D'Andre Swift as the No. 1 option there.

Expect Activity on Safety Market

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DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 16: Justin Simmons #31 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after a play during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on December 16, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images)

The Eagles should be active on the free-agent safety market.

After Byard's release, the Eagles only have Reed Blankenship and Sydney Brown on the roster as potential starters.

The obvious connection will be made to Justin Simmons, who worked with new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio in Denver.

Simmons, Jordan Poyer and Jamal Adams are among the recently-released veteran safeties on the market.

General manager Howie Roseman has been aggressive when necessary to bring in defensive stars and this offseason should be no different.

Simmons will be the name on the lips of many Eagles fans because of the Fangio connection, but Poyer would be a fantastic addition as well.

Adams' injury history may keep the Eagles, and other teams, away from him as their No. 1 safety option.

Linebacker Should Be Other Top Target

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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 05: Nakobe Dean #17 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts during the second quarter in the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field on November 05, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

The Eagles' linebacker production dropped off from 2022 to 2023 without Edwards and White on the roster.

As they enter free agency, Nakobe Dean is the primary linebacker on the roster. Zach Cunningham, Nicholas Morrow and Shaquille Leonard are all set to become free agents.

The Eagles could take a big swing at Patrick Queen, who will be coveted by many teams with needs in the middle of defense.

Devin White would be a cheaper addition with something potentially to prove after a down 2023 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Eagles can't sit still at linebacker because Dean is an unproved prospect right now. A veteran addition has to be made to provide some stability in the middle.

Running Back Situation

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TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 15: D'Andre Swift #0 of the Philadelphia Eagles carries the ball as Zyon McCollum #27 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defends during an NFL wild-card playoff football game at Raymond James Stadium on January 15, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

The Eagles need to decide whether or not Swift should be their top running back moving forward.

Swift played well in the first season for his hometown team, but he could move on if the Eagles have another running back in mind.

Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs and Derrick Henry are all free agents, but they all come with plenty of mileage on their legs.

The Eagles know how much talent the veteran running backs, but committing a ton of money into any of them is a big risk in today's NFL.

They have to do something at running back since the draft class is not great and Kenneth Gainwell is not a primary ball carrier in the NFL.

The simple answer would be to bring back Swift because of his fit in the offense. but it is easy to be tempted by the prospect of Barkley, Jacobs or Henry next to Jalen Hurts.