Veteran Free-Agent Contract Eagles Must Consider Before Training Camp

The bulk of NFL free agency has been over for a while now. Still, there are many veterans who can contribute to teams across the league who are still waiting to find a home.

Every year there are a few free agents who hang around to this point. Sometimes it's legitimately because they don't have a market. Other times they are simply waiting for the right situation to come along.

The Philadelphia Eagles should be considered that situation for a few of them. Things did not end well in Philly last season, but this is still a well-rounded roster with few holes and a new pair of coordinators that could help the Birds become a contender again.

The fact that the Eagles have $24.6 million in cap space, per Spotrac, certainly doesn't hurt. They can help maximize their chances of success in 2024 by targeting any one of these three veteran free agents still on the market.

S Justin Simmons

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Justin Simmons

The Philadelphia Eagles safety room hasn't felt settled for a while. The group was a part of the problem last year as the pass defense disintegrated as the season wore on.

Vic Fangio's arrival should fix some of the issues. The team also brought back C.J. Gardner-Johnson in free agency. He had a great 2022 campaign for the Eagles before leaving for the Detroit Lions for the 2023 season.

However, Gardner-Johnson could wind up playing in the slot and the Eagles are relying on a lot of young players to improve the secondary this offseason. Cooper DeJean is starting out in the slot, but Gardner-Johnson could step in the rookie isn't ready.

The Eagles appear to be moving James Bradberry to safety after his struggles at cornerback last season. However, Justin Simmons could be an upgrade over him and their other options.

The 30-year-old safety has a knack for turnovers with 30 interceptions over the course of his eight year career. He started 15 games for the Broncos last season and had three interceptions and passes defended.

Signing him to a one-year deal would give the Eagles more insurance that their secondary will be better this season.

Proposed Contract: One year, $5 million

WR Corey Davis

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PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 2: Corey Davis #84 of the New York Jets runs upfield against the Pittsburgh Steelers during a game at Acrisure Stadium on October 2, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)

The Eagles have a very top-heavy approach to the receiver position. A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith are one of the best receiver duos in the league. Dallas Goedert is the clear-cut third option and there aren't a lot of targets to go around after those three.

That's fine, but it also means the Eagles are heavily reliant on their top two players staying healthy.

Last season they signed Julio Jones to give them another legitimate player who could fill in on the outside. They signed DeVante Parker this offseason, but he retired so they could still use another veteran to give them another outside receiver.

Corey Davis might be a bit out of practice, but he's the best option still available on the market.

The 29-year-old made the surprising decision to retire last season, but applied to be reinstated in the league back in March. It's a bit surprising that he remains unsigned.

He never lived up to his draft pedigree as a former top five pick, but he caught 32 passes for 536 yards and two touchdowns in his last season with the Jets. Johnny Wilson might eventually bypass him for the role, but Davis would add important depth early in the season.

Proposed Contract: One year, $3 million

S Eddie Jackson

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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - NOVEMBER 27: Eddie Jackson #4 of the Chicago Bears defends in coverage during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 27, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images)

As noted earlier, the Eagles could still use another safety on the roster. Their younger options might pan out. That will become evident in training camp and the preseason. But waiting until then to sign another safety could cause the Eagles to miss out on some good options.

Fortunately for them, the safety position has a few veterans still available on the market.

If Simmons is unwilling to play for what the Eagles want to offer or they just don't believe he's the best fit then Eddie Jackson could be in play.

Jackson only has 15 interceptions in seven seasons, but he's a former All-Pro with two Pro Bowl nods on his resume. He is coming off a tough season in which he gave up a passer rating of 120.6, but he limited passers to a 66.4 passer rating in 2022.

The biggest benefit of Jackson would be his familiarity with Vic Fangio. He played for the new Eagles defensive coordinator when they were both in Chicago and his knowledge of his system and terminology could be beneficial for a young secondary trying to get the hang of it.