Philadelphia Eagles Free Agency: 4 Overrated Free Agents the Birds Should Avoid

The Philadelphia Eagles mad a big splash in free agency last year by acquiring several big-name players in the hope that they could help bring a Super Bowl title to town. That didn't work out the way most in Philly had hoped, though, as the team limped to an 8-8 finish.

This year, the Eagles surely won't be spending as much to bring new talent to town, but they do need some help—especially on defense and along the offensive line. 

Here are four guys who could be on Philadelphia's radar, but should be avoided at all costs because they are simply overrated.

Stephen Tulloch

The Detroit Lions and middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch are not close to working out a contract, and that means he is almost certain to hit the open market on March 13. The Eagles will almost certainly be in on Tulloch if/when he does become a free agent.

The 27-year-old has played behind Wide-9 schemes throughout his entire career with the Tennessee Titans and the Lions. The Eagles run the same defensive system, so people have made the connection between the two parties. In fact, some were puzzled at how Philadelphia didn't actually acquire Tulloch last season.

Don't get me wrong, I think Tulloch is a good linebacker, but he's going to be one of the most expensive players on the market and certainly the priciest pure linebacker. Philadelphia could get much more value by drafting a guy like Boston College's Luke Kuechly, who is easily one of the draft's best defensive players.

Tulloch is good, but he won't be worth the amount of cash he'll get in free agency. 

London Fletcher

London Fletcher had an outstanding year for the Washington Redskins, but it doesn't look like the two sides have come to a contract agreement, which means the 36-year-old will be a free agent come March 13.

Fletcher will turn 37 in May, and while he racked up a career-best 166 tackles in 2011 and earned his third consecutive trip to the Pro Bowl, investing money in a guy his age would be foolish. 

The Eagles desperately need help at linebacker, but Fletcher's age and the miles he has on him after a 14-year career can't be ignored. Yes, he would give Philadelphia a leader at the middle of the team's defense, but I just can't see a good reason to add age and what is sure to be a hefty salary cap number to this Philadelphia roster.

I really like Fletcher. I think he is a phenomenal football player and a great guy on and off the field. That said, the Eagles should avoid shelling out the kind of cash it would take to get him on the roster, especially since he can't have a whole lot left in the tank.

Jared Gaither

The Eagles offensive line was anchored by left tackle Jason Peters and guard Evan Mathis in 2011.

Other than that, the unit left a lot to be desired.

Todd Herremans moved from guard to right tackle to protect quarterback Michael Vick's blind side and did an average job in that spot. Some have suggested that Philadelphia should invest in another pure tackle and possibly move Herremans back inside, especially if Mathis departs via free agency. 

While Jared Gaither performed well to finish the season for the San Diego Chargers, he has bounced around to three teams already in his short career. At 6'9" and 340 pounds, he is an ideal tackle prospect, and he has all the tools you could possibly want in a legitimate star on the outside of an offensive line.

That said, Gaither is set to cash in after a pretty good finish to the 2011 season, and given his track record of disappointing coaching staffs, he is a guy the Eagles would do well to avoid. 

Jarret Johnson

While the Eagles definitely need an upgrade at middle linebacker, they also could use another solid guy on the outside. The Baltimore Ravens are set to part with Jarret Johnson, who has quietly been a key part of their defense for nine seasons. 

Whenever a defensive player leaves the Ravens, his value always seems to skyrocket since the team always has a great defense. As we saw with Adalius Thomas when he went to the New England Patriots, though, that type of assessment isn't always valid.

Johnson is a solid outside linebacker, but he isn't close to as good as some are claiming. In 143 career games, he has just 382 tackles and 20 sacks. He isn't a playmaker or a guy you can count on to change a game.

I believe Johnson is a solid outside linebacker and can certainly help a defense, but the Eagles could do better at a much cheaper price than he is sure to command.