6 Bargain-Bin Free Agents Who Could Fill Big Holes for Philadelphia Eagles
The most important date on the upcoming schedule for the Philadelphia Eagles comes in March, when the NFL free-agency period begins.
That's when some teams choose to go all-in for a number of high-priced free agents, as the Philadelphia Eagles did in 2011 and the Denver Broncos did in 2014. But that hasn't been the style of current Eagles head coach Chip Kelly, who has shown in each of the past two seasons that he prefers to add mid-range players in free agency.
When there's a Jairus Byrd available to sign, Kelly will sign Malcolm Jenkins. When Darrelle Revis is available, Kelly will add Cary Williams.
Even though the Eagles have close to $19 million in cap space, per Over the Cap, don't expect any big signings this year. The Eagles have some major holes, especially in the secondary, and they could also use an upgrade at backup quarterback and outside linebacker.
But if there are any visions of Kelly pursuing a star like Demaryius Thomas or Justin Houston, prepare to be disappointed.
The following six players are exactly the type of mid-range signings the Eagles head coach will look to make next month.
Jake Locker, Quarterback
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He's widely considered one of the main reasons why the Eagles missed the postseason, yet it makes complete sense for the Eagles to try to bring back Mark Sanchez as their backup for another season.
That likely won't happen though, as he'll probably have a chance to compete for a starting job, perhaps in Buffalo with new head coach Rex Ryan.
Among free-agent options, veteran Michael Vick is a player whom the Eagles really should pass on, as Vick is just a shell of his former self at this point in his career. The most obvious signing is Jake Locker, the failed first-round pick from the Tennessee Titans who has started just 23 games over the past four seasons.
Locker has always been a decent quarterback when he's healthy, but he's also developed a well-earned reputation as perhaps the most injury-prone player in the NFL.
If Locker signs with the Eagles, he'll have to start a couple of games in 2015. That's how it always is in Philly, where the backup quarterback has started at least two games for each of the last six seasons, and nine of the past two.
Locker doesn't turn the ball over and has good—even great—running ability. He'd be an intriguing fit in Chip Kelly's offense, as long as it wasn't for more than about a month.
Sam Acho, Outside Linebacker
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The Eagles' decision at outside linebacker will obviously depend on what they do with veteran Trent Cole and former first-round pick Brandon Graham. For the sake of this argument, let's assume the Eagles do the expected, which is restructuring Cole's deal and allowing Graham to test free agency.
With Cole back for an 11th season in the NFL, the Eagles will likely need another rotational piece at outside linebacker. Veteran Sam Acho, the brother of current Eagles linebacker Emmanuel Acho, makes sense from a financial and talent standpoint.
Acho, a part-time player for the Arizona Cardinals over the past four seasons, could ironically steal a roster spot away from his younger brother if he were signed. Just 26, the former fourth-round pick recorded seven sacks as a rookie but has averaged just two sacks and 30 tackles over the past three seasons.
At 15 to 25 snaps per game, Acho makes sense as a cheap one- or two-year option, while the Eagles hope (pray) that last year's first-round pick Marcus Smith shows any sort of talent at the NFL level.
Derrick Morgan, Outside Linebacker
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Derrick Morgan is an extremely similar player to the Eagles' Brandon Graham. They were selected just three picks apart in the first round of the 2010 draft, and neither has blossomed into the star he was expected to become throughout the first five years in the league.
But while Graham could command a contract similar to that of Everson Griffen from 2014 (five years and more than $42 million, including $19.5 million guaranteed), Morgan will likely be a cheaper option with similar production.
A starter for the past four seasons, unlike Graham, Morgan has averaged 5.5 sacks and 47 tackles per year. He rated as Pro Football Focus' eighth-best 3-4 outside linebacker in 2014 and is just 26 years old.
Morgan won't be much more than an average starter, but a rotation of veteran Trent Cole and Morgan at one of the two outside linebacker positions feels like a very viable solution.
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Perrish Cox, Cornerback
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Player A: 2 interceptions, 81.1 passer rating allowed, 39-of-43 on tackles, 717 snaps played
Player B: 5 interceptions, 78.0 passer rating allowed, 54-of-58 tackles, 965 snaps played
Player A is Byron Maxwell, the highly sought-after free-agent cornerback with Seattle's Legion of Boom, a player who likely benefits from playing with three of the best defensive backs in the entire NFL.
Player B is Perrish Cox, a mid-range cornerback with the San Francisco 49ers, a player who led all cornerbacks in the NFL in interceptions during his first year as a full-time starter.
Maxwell is expected to become the highest-paid free-agent cornerback on the market. He's just not worth it for an Eagles team that would benefit much more from a player like Cox, who might actually be better with much less publicity.
Da'Norris Searcy, Safety
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The Eagles wisely passed on both big-name free agents last offseason, choosing converted cornerback Malcolm Jenkins over Jairus Byrd or T.J. Ward. Byrd missed 12 games with knee injuries, while Ward led all safeties in touchdown passes allowed (six) and recorded 18 missed tackles, per Pro Football Focus.
Jenkins is penciled in as a starter for the next two seasons, but the Eagles really need to look for an upgrade over Nate Allen, who, despite seven turnovers, turned in yet another fringe-NFL starter season.
Buffalo Bills safety Da'Norris Searcy stepped in brilliantly for Byrd this past year, starting 13 games and rating as the 18th-best safety in the NFL, per Pro Football Focus. That's one spot ahead of Jenkins and two ahead of Kam Chancellor.
Searcy allowed just nine completions and a 21.5 passer rating in coverage. He's physical, too, collecting 49 tackles in 55 attempts. He's just 26 with limited mileage on his body. He'd be a perfect two- or three-year signing to pair next to Jenkins.
Antrel Rolle, Safety
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If the Eagles are looking for a one- or two-year stopgap option at one of the safety positions, former Pro Bowl safety Antrel Rolle feels like a decent fit. He's not a great player, especially at this point in his career, but he's a playmaker who has collected 26 interceptions throughout his 10 seasons in the NFL.
Rolle played under Eagles defensive coordinator Billy Davis when the two were on the Arizona Cardinals in 2009. In Davis' only year as Rolle's defensive coordinator, the then-27-year-old safety earned his first Pro Bowl selection with 72 tackles, four interceptions and 1.5 sacks.
Now 32, Rolle has definitely lost a step, and tackling has become more of an issue at this stage in his career. But it's looking like the Eagles won't be able to rely on either Earl Wolff or Ed Reynolds, and it's difficult to expect a rookie to come in and start right away.
The Eagles could get by with the combination of Jenkins and Rolle at safety. This might be a situation where it would make sense to bring back Nate Allen for yet another season, perhaps as insurance in case Rolle doesn't pan out.
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