Philadelphia Eagles Free Agency: Ten Defensive Bargains On the Market

Assuming a Collective Bargaining Agreement is reached, the Philadelphia Eagles will have plenty of options in free agency. The Eagles need help, especially on defense, as this was arguably Andy Reid's worst defense in his 12-year tenure.

With a lack of playmakers, former Eagles defensive coordinator Sean McDermott had almost no chance to succeed.

This defense needs major upgrades, especially starting with a nonexistent pass rush and a complement at cornerback to star Asante Samuel.

Look for the Eagles to sign one or two impact free agents on defense, because Andy Reid knows this team is very close to becoming Super Bowl contenders.

There are many guys in the free-agent market that will not garner huge contracts, but, in turn, could prove to be great signings for the Eagles.

So, let's look at some underrated players on the market:

Dawan Landry—Safety

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 09: Safety Dawan Landry #26 of the Baltimore Ravens runs back an interception of quarterback Matt Cassel #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs in the third quarter of their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January

Dawan Landry is a great safety that no one talks about, mainly because he plays next to the best one in the league.

Landry, though, had 111 tackles, which is a huge amount at the safety position. Even though his first interception came in the Ravens playoff games, he is not a liability in coverage like Quintin Mikell.

Landry could definitely complement the rangy Nate Allen and provide help in run support. The Ravens may not be able to keep him, so the Eagles could get one of the most underrated safeties in the league at a bargain price.

Ike Taylor—Cornerback

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PITTSBURGH - OCTOBER 03: Ike Taylor #24 of the Pittsburgh Steelers intercepts a pass from Joe Flacco #5 in front of Derrick Mason #85 of the Baltimore Ravens during the game on October 3, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared

Unlike the Eagles, the Steelers can hide their cornerback woes with an unstoppable pass rush.

CB Ike Taylor though is still a solid cover guy. He can press at the line and could complement the more aggressive Asante Samuel.

Taylor is great in run support and intimidating at the CB position, where he stands at 6-foot-2 and weighs 195 pounds.

Taylor would finally give this secondary some height.

D'Qwell Jackson—Linebacker

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CLEVELAND - NOVEMBER 2: Ray Rice #27 of the Baltimore Ravens runs the ball by Kamerion Wimbley #95 and D'Qwell Jackson #52 of the Cleveland Browns during the third quarter of their NFL game at Cleveland Browns Stadium November 2, 2008 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Linebacker D'Qwell Jackson of the Cleveland Browns was one of the more steady linebackers in all the league.

Jackson was usually the lone bright spot for the Browns defense. He missed this entire season with injury, and most of last season as well.

Jackson could be acquired with a short, incentive-laden contract. He's only 27, so he could provide the Eagles with production.

Even though he was primarily a middle linebacker, Jackson can play all three linebacker positions. He is versatile, something Andy Reid loves out of his players.

Mathias Kiwanuka—Defensive End

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 12: Matt Moore #3 of the Carolina Panthers is sacked in the fourth quarter by Mathias Kiwanuka #94 of the New York Giants on September 12, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants defe

Kiwanuka is one of the more underrated defensive players in the league. He was hurt all of this season but can definitely still get after the quarterback. Even though he is a little undersized at 265 pounds, the Eagles seem to love undersized defensive ends that can speed rush, evidenced in the drafting of Brandon Graham.

Kiwanuka could probably start for most of the league at DE, but the Giants just have two elite defensive ends playing the position. That's not including the impressive rookie Jason Pierre-Paul.

The Giants may not have enough money to keep Kiwanuka, so the Eagles could definitely swoop in and steal a player from a division rival.

Richard Marshall—Cornerback

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 02: Brian Finneran #86 of the Atlanta Falcons against Richard Marshall #31 of the Carolina Panthers at Georgia Dome on January 2, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Cornerback Richard Marshall is one of the better cover guys in the league, something he proved in 2010.

Though he was better known for his run support and was decent in coverage these past seasons, this year he put it all together. He became a solid cover corner and recorded three interceptions, showing some playmaking skills.

The Panthers will probably not try to re-sign him, and if the Eagles want a solid guy to play alongside Samuel, or even a guy that could excel as a nickel CB, Marshall would be a good signing. 

Jason Babin—Defensive End

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NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 21: Jason Babin #93 of the Tennessee Titans reacts after sacking quarterback Donovan McNabb #5 of the Washington Redskins during the first half at LP Field on November 21, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Grant Halverson/

He is very likely to come to Philadelphia, especially after the Jim Washburn hiring. Babin even talked about his future, calling it a "tough decision" on whether to follow Washburn and rejoin the Eagles or stay in Tennessee.

Jason Babin had 12.5 sacks last year and could be a great complement to star pass rusher Trent Cole. Also, for the first time in his career, Babin played the run extremely well.

He had 58 tackles, which is a solid number for a guy more known for his pass rush.

Roman Harper—Safety

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NEW ORLEANS - SEPTEMBER 09: Quarterback Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings takes a hard hit from Roman Harper #41 of the New Orleans Saints at Louisiana Superdome on September 9, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Image

Roman Harper played his way out of a huge contract with his terrible showing against the Seahawks in which he was lit up.

Harper, though had a spectacular regular season for the Saints and could impact the defense with his departure.

He had six forced fumbles this year and one interception, showing he is a safety that is always around the ball.

He can be a solid complement to the rangy Nate Allen, especially if the Eagles do not re-sign Quintin Mikell.

Thomas Davis—Linebacker

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CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 26: Jerheme Urban #85 of the Arizona Cardinals tries to run away from Thomas Davis #58 of the Carolina Panthers during their game on October 26, 2008 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Le

When Davis came out of Georgia, I thought he would quickly become one of the best safeties in the game.  But that did not work out when he changed positions to linebacker!

Davis is still one of the best weakside linebackers in all of football. If he stayed healthy the past two years, he would have been an All-Pro.

In seven games in 2009, Davis recorded 61 tackles, two sacks, and two interceptions—elite numbers for a weakside linebacker in a limited number of games.

Davis could be easily signed on the cheap, and, if healthy, could provide the Eagles a playmaker at the linebacker position.

Jonathan Joseph—Cornerback

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CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 10: Jonathan Joseph #22 of the Cincinnati Bengals almost intercepts a pass intended for Alvis Whitted #87 of the Oakland Raiders during the second quarter on December 10, 2006 at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Beng

This photo just shows you the athletic prowess of cornerback Jonathan Joseph.

The Eagles need one, possibly two, corners in their secondary, which was especially evident after the Packers and Giants toyed with it.

Joseph is very underrated. He can come in and start opposite Asante Samuel and form one of the better tandems in the league.

While everyone is clamoring about Nnamdi Asomugha and Champ Bailey, Joseph may be a gem in this free-agent market.

He had three interceptions for the Bengals this season.

Charles Johnson—Defensive End

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CHARLOTTE, NC - AUGUST 21: Quarterback Mark Brunell #8 of the New York Jets throw under pressure from Charles Johnson #95 of the Carolina Panthers during their preseason game at Bank of America Stadium on August 21, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Ph

Who is Charles Johnson?

Most fans do not even know who he is, even though he is a top-10 defensive end in this league.

Johnson recorded 11.5 sacks this season for the Panthers and was their best defensive player. Though he may be the top priority for the Panthers, the Eagles can still sign him for a tolerable contract.

Johnson is 275 pounds and solid in run defense, where he recorded 61 tackles—a great number for a 4-3 defensive end.

The Eagles lack a complement to Trent Cole, and who knows how Brandon Graham will recover from his ACL injury.