NFL Free Agency 2011: 5 Players the Philadelphia Eagles Might Target

Despite addressing a few key needs in the 2011 NFL Draft, the recipe for a successful Philadelphia Eagles team is still missing a few ingredients.

The Eagles primary concerns coming into the draft was the front four, and right cornerback.

While they drafted cornerback Curtis Marsh out of Utah State in the third round, the probability of Marsh  starting this season is unlikely.  The Eagles also took no defensive linemen, which leads many to believe that Andy Reid has something up his sleeve once free agency finally gets underway. Here are some players the Eagles should pursue once players can sign with other teams.

Nnamdi Asomugha

the biggest fish in the free agent waters, Asomugha is a physical corner that can go toe-to-toe with just about any receiver in the NFL. He had a quiet season last year as a Raider, but is still a playmaker that, unlike Asante Samuel, can tackle as well as cover. Pairing the two together will allow Philadelphia to blitz extra linebackers and safeties, something they haven’t been able to do recently. If the Eagles can’t land Asomugha, Antonio Cromartie and Champ Bailey may also be options. 

Paul Posluszny

 If linebacker Stewart Bradley decides to test the market as a restricted free agent, it could leave the Eagles with a void in the middle. Poz was third in the NFL in tackles last season despite missing two games. A Penn State alum, Poz would instantly be a favorite amongst Eagle fans, and would infuse toughness in leadership in an otherwise faceless defense. If the Bills decide to bring Poz back, which rumors are saying they are

Mike Sims Walker-

I know, I know, the Eagles are loaded at receiver, but are they really? DeSean Jackson will be a free agent next season and displayed signs of frustration after his contract wasn’t extended last season. Jeremy Maclin has been productive, but the Eagles are lacking is a sure-handed, physical receiver who can get open over the middle and move the chains with ease.

At 6’2, 214, Sims-Walker could bring some much-needed size to the receiving core and also serve as a valuable red-zone option. The Eagles don’t need him to rack up a ton of yards, but they definitely could use a receiver that doesn’t only score from 40-yards out. 

Mathia Kiwanuka

With rookie Brandon Graham coming off knee surgery, you never know if the burst in his first step will still be there. Kiwanuka is an explosive pass rusher who, up until a herniated disk bothered him last season, was having a solid year. The Eagles don’t have much depth at the end position, and could use another capable pass rusher opposite Trent Cole. Ray Edwards and Justin Babin are also possibilities.

Jermon Bushrod

Jermon Bushrod- Bushrod, along with fellow Saints linemen Carl Nicks, are both free agents and it’s likely one of them won’t resign with Saints.  The Offensive tackle position was a key need the Eagles did not address in the draft, deciding to go with a guard in the first round instead. At 6’5, 315, Bushrod doesn’t provide much in the way of run blocking, but makes up for it with his athleticism in pass protection. Michael Vick was one of the most sacked quarterbacks last season and a player like Bushrod could instantly improve the Eagles passing attack and more importantly, keep an injury-prone Vick on his feet.