How Philadelphia Eagles Should Approach 2015 NFL Free Agency

If anything, the 2015 Philadelphia Eagles offseason should certainly be interesting based on the transfer of power within the organization.

Howie Roseman is out as general manager; the team's five-year GM was "promoted" to a new role as executive vice president of football operations. What this really did, though, was give Chip Kelly complete control over the personnel decisions, putting him in a special class of head coaches that currently includes just Bill Belichick.

Kelly had the '14 Birds at 10-6 and a franchise-record 474 points, but there's still work to be done. After all, the Eagles didn't even qualify for the postseason, which means Kelly doesn't yet have a playoff victory to show for his two seasons in the league.

The quarterback situation is the team's biggest offseason need, and you can bet your bottom dollar that Kelly will do everything possible to acquire his college quarterback in Marcus Mariota. For now, though, it's likely that the Eagles will roll with fourth-year signal-caller Nick Foles, and surrounding him with the most talent possible is the best plan.

What does that mean in terms of offseason signings? To start, wide receiver Jeremy Maclin will command a hefty long-term deal, and he proved in 2014 that he deserves to be paid as a No. 1 receiver.

Defensive end Cedric Thornton and running back Chris Polk are both restricted free agents, and there's no reason to move on from either. Thornton is a fine run-stuffer at the 5-technique spot, and Polk emerged down the stretch as a legitimate goal-line back.

The offense is in pretty good shape. Riley Cooper was exposed as a full-time wide receiver, but if Jordan Matthews moves to the outside position and Josh Huff plays the slot, Cooper can be bumped down to the fourth spot. The tight ends are stacked, and the offensive line may even have too many players. (Todd Herremans could be a cap casualty, allowing Andrew Gardner, Allen Barbre or Matt Tobin to start in 2015.)

It’s the defense that will need an upgrade, particularly the secondary. Defensive coordinator Billy Davis managed to coax respectable seasons out of Cary Williams and Malcolm Jenkins, but his refusal to move on from Bradley Fletcher at the one cornerback spot may have cost the Eagles a playoff berth.

Nickel corner Brandon Boykin produces every time he steps on the field, but it’s likely the team will release Williams (due to make $8.1 million in 2015) and move on from Fletcher (free agent). The Eagles would be wise to invest a high draft pick in a cornerback, but it makes sense to spend some money in free agency as well.

The bad taste of the $60 million Nnamdi Asomugha signing is still lingering in the minds of Eagles management, so don’t expect a run at Darrelle Revis or hybrid corner/safety Devin McCourty. But Philadelphia has a handful of options to consider at cornerback.

The logical moves are Byron Maxwell, Kareem Jackson or Antonio Cromartie, which would fit with the Eagles’ philosophy of signing mid-level players, a la Williams or Jenkins. Maxwell or Jackson could command up to $8 million per season for four-plus years, while Cromartie is nearing 30 and may be signed for two to three years.

There’s a good chance the Eagles sign both a starting cornerback and safety, as well as draft one of the two. Otherwise, the 2015 safety corps would consist of Jenkins and either Nate Allen (if he’s re-signed) or Earl Wolff.

The outside linebacker position should also be critical, and it starts with what the team does with Trent Cole. If Cole leaves, Brandon Graham may need to be re-signed, although he’s assuredly going to test the open market. If Cole restructures his deal, it’s not as imperative to re-sign Graham.

An inside linebacker may also be needed, as DeMeco Ryans’ $6.9 million cap hit for 2015 leaves him a likely cap casualty. A once-successful veteran coming off an injury like Sean Weatherspoon would be a logical addition, as he has the potential to be a star again if he fully recovers.

In typical Eagles fashion, the team will probably underspend in free agency and enter training camp a significant amount under the salary cap. It’s a testament to the organization’s thriftiness in managing the financial aspect, but if there’s ever a time to spend money, this would be the year. Philadelphia has a lot of talent, and a few well-timed players could push this team over the top.