After what Howie Roseman classified as a “disappointing” 2019 season, the Eagles have plenty of work to do this offseason. Free agency begins on March 18.
The Eagles will bring back Fletcher Cox and Malik Jackson but there are some serious question marks after that. Tim Jernigan and Hassan Ridgeway are both free agents but if both walk, there will be options on the market.
While the idea of signing Kansas City DT Chris Jones would be great for the Eagles, he’s going to cost way too much and the Eagles can’t afford to pay another DT that kind of money.
So here’s an early look at five defensive tackles (ones they could actually afford) for the Birds in free agency:
Ndamukong Suh
Sure, he’s a big name but Suh is 33 now, so we’re not talking about a long-term solution. But as a rotational piece behind Cox and Jackson, he might make some sense at the right price. There’s obviously familiarity with Jim Schwartz. Suh was drafted by the Lions in 2010 and played his first four NFL seasons in his defense. If Suh is chasing a ring, Philly might be a nice fit.
Beau Allen
NFL
After two years in Tampa Bay, Allen is set to become a free agent and a reunion in Philly would make some sense. He has never been a big pass-rush interior lineman but would be a nice complement for Cox and Jackson because of that. He’s still just 28 so there’s some tread left on the tires. While the Eagles at times have been too quick to go back to the well, Allen would actually fit a need and wouldn’t cost much.
Andrew Billings
Billings (6-1, 328) was a fourth-round pick in 2016 and after missing his rookie season with an injury has played the first three years of his career with the Bengals. Poor, Andrew. He has just 3 1/2 sacks but has missed just one game in those three seasons and has been stout against the run. Not a “wow” signing because there’s not much pass-rush ability but he’s a space-eater and sometimes you need guys like that. And he hasn’t even turned 25 yet.
Sheldon Day
Another fourth-round pick in 2016, Day (6-1, 294) didn’t last a full two years in Jacksonville. But he was claimed by the 49ers after he was released in 2017 and has become a nice rotational piece. He played all 16 games and started two this season. A low-cost option like this would make some sense.
A’Shawn Robinson
A second-round pick back in 2016, Robinson was thought to be one of the best interior linemen in that class but it hasn’t really turned out that way. He’s been solid, though. In four years in Detroit, he has played 58 games with 37 starts. A lot of times coaches like the idea that they can bring the talent out of somebody and Robinson seems like that kind of candidate. Again, more of a run-stuffer, but that’s not a bad thing with Cox and Jackson already in the fold.
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