Philadelphia Eagles' Ultimate Free-Agency to-Do List

With the official start of free agency set to begin in early March, the Philadelphia Eagles have several moves to make to ensure they put the best possible team on the field in 2015.

There are 10 free agents on this roster in all, and two of them that could theoretically qualify for the franchise tag. Jeremy Maclin is the bigger name of the two (Brandon Graham is the other), and while they play different positions on opposite sides of the ball, it would be a surprise to see the Eagles let both walk.

So which one should they sign? Who else on the roster needs to be brought back? And which key free agents around the league should the Eagles pursue? Here's a guide to how Philadelphia can emerge victorious through the free-agency process.

Re-Sign Jeremy Maclin

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The fact that the Philadelphia Eagles haven't yet re-signed Jeremy Maclin is no reason to panic.

There's still plenty of time left and other big-name receivers like Demaryius Thomas and Dez Bryant haven't signed long-term contracts with their respective teams yet, either.

That being said, though, Chip Kelly has an obligation to the fanbase to make sure he does eventually re-sign Maclin. The 26-year-old set single-season bests in 2014, virtually duplicating DeSean Jackson's '13 numbers, and doing so just a year removed from a torn ACL.

He will likely command $9-10 million per year (consider Jackson's 2012 extension at five years, $51 million to be a benchmark for what Maclin can get). That's a lot to pay for one player, but Maclin proved his value last year, excelling despite Riley Cooper's struggles opposite him and year-long inconsistency from the quarterback position.

If Kelly lets Maclin walk—and the Eagles have to spend a first-round pick on a receiver—it limits the team's ability to address deeper, more important needs on draft day, namely cornerback and safety.

Don't Overpay for Byron Maxwell

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Here are the facts: The Philadelphia Eagles need an upgrade at cornerback. Byron Maxwell is a good cornerback. Byron Maxwell is also not in Darrelle Revis or Richard Sherman's class.

The popular sentiment among Eagles fans is that Maxwell is a must-sign. After all, he's a tall, long cornerback, fitting Chip Kelly's preference, and he's only 26 years old. It's not the best cornerback class, though (especially if Darrelle Revis doesn't become a free agent), and overpaying for Maxwell could be problematic.

Per Tony Pauline of Draft Insider, Maxwell could get $10 million per year; that's a lot of money for a player that may have benefited greatly from the Legion of Boom defense. It's all about supply and demand, and a team will likely be willing to pay that for his services.

If the Eagles don't want to pay too much for Maxwell, there are a handful of other viable options. Antonio Cromartie is 31 years old, but he's made three consecutive Pro Bowls, and there aren't many 6'3" corners out there. Houston's Kareem Jackson, San Francisco's Perrish Cox, Green Bay's Tramon Williams and San Diego's Brandon Flowers all would be solid options as well.

Sign Rahim Moore

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Devin McCourty is probably the unquestioned top safety on the free-agent market, but Rahim Moore is a pretty solid option should the Philadelphia Eagles be interested.

Chip Kelly likes versatile players (look no further than the signing of corner/safety Malcolm Jenkins last offseason). Moore is much better in pass coverage, but the Eagles could certainly use a 25-year-old coming off a season in which he started all 16 games and recorded four interceptions for a defense that ranked first in the league in average net passing yards allowed per attempt.

Moore may command a five-year deal worth $8 million annually, but he’s much better than Jenkins, Nate Allen, Earl Wolff or any incoming rookie.

Lock Up Both Restricted Free Agents

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They’re under-the-radar players, but Chris Polk and Cedric Thornton are each restricted free agents, meaning the Philadelphia Eagles will need to sign them to a tender, likely one around $2.5 million.

That may seem like too much to pay for a third-string running back in Polk, but he has been a quality player, especially in the red zone. Barring a surprise, Thornton will definitely be back in Philadelphia, as he’s been an integral part of a top-rated run defense.

Expect both to come back next season. Neither will cost too much and they’re important at their respective tasks.

Sign Mark Sanchez or Jake Locker

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Every year in Philadelphia, the backup quarterback sees time. Quite often it's for extended time.

Last year, Mark Sanchez had to start six games when Nick Foles broke his collarbone. The year before, Michael Vick's hamstring injury gave way to Foles. And the previous year, Foles' broken hand late in the season would have sidelined him for several weeks if it wasn't December.

Unless the Eagles draft Marcus Mariota (in which case he—or Foles—will be the backup while the other starts), Chip Kelly needs a backup quarterback capable of winning some football games if called upon.

Sanchez did a fine job last year, even though he's an easy target. If you were expecting a 6-0 record when he started, you were disappointed. But if you need a quarterback that can run the offense fairly well, Sanchez isn't a bad option. He saw personal bests in many major passing statistics (completion percentage, yards per attempt, touchdown percentage and passer rating), and he won three of his first four games.

There won't be much clamoring around the league for Sanchez; he's a quality backup and stretched as a long-term starter. The Eagles may be able to sign Sanchez to another one-year deal. If Sanchez wants more than that and the organization is hesitant to do so, Jake Locker is a viable option

Locker is similar to Sanchez in that they're both former first-round picks from Pac-12 schools. Each didn't live up to the status that comes with being heralded a franchise guy, but Locker offers intriguing physical tools. He's an excellent runner and could utilize some of Chip Kelly's playbook that Foles can't.

Locker's biggest problem has always been his inability to stay healthy for prolonged periods of time, but in the ideal situation, Philly won't need him for more than a few games.