ESPN recently noted 5 moves the Eagles should make this off-season. Today begins the process of franchising players, and the next few weeks, leading up to free agency, players will be cut to free cap space. The draft is in April. Til then..my comments on the ESPN recommendations...
1. Cut or trade Connor Barwin, Mychal Kendricks and Ryan Mathews.
Barwin doesn't fit Defensive Coordinator'Jim Schwartz' scheme. He's still a good player and can be a good pass rusher when used properly. ESPN thinks Barwin may end up in New England if the Eagles cut him. Barwin is more than willing to restructure his contract just to stay in Philadelphia. Would you rather keep an aging Barwin, who is a good guy in the locker room and community, or an already suspect Schwrtz?
I'm not a Schwartz guy. He doesn't blitz enough and tends to lay back too much. We had that in 2015 with Billy Davis.I vote to keep Barwina t a reduced pay cut and find a role for him.
Kendricks has never lived up to potential after a brilliant start of his career when he was affectionately known as "The Angry Bird." Kendricks used to be quick, flying around the field. But he is on the smallish side. Take your losses and cut him.
Mathews always seems to get hurt, as is his history. He was a tough runner for the Birds, but made a critical fumble late in the Detriot game last season which cost the Eagles a victory and started the season to slide. Cut him.
2. Explore the possibility of resigning Bennie Logan.
I like Logan. He gives the Eagles a solid front four. But the team already has a lot of money invested in the defensive line after both Fletcher Cox and Vinny Curry got big contracts last year. The team will probably bite the bullet and let Logan go, and try to fill his spot with Beau Allen and a younger, cheaper draft pick.
3. Sign DeSean Jackson
Despite D-Jax stating recently that he would rather stay in Washington, if the money is right, he would gladly return to sign another wide receiver. I would sign Jackson, if the money is right, then draft a younger WR in the spring. Jackson would give the Birds what they lack- speed. The offensive needs weapons for Carson Wentz, and Jackson brings big play abilities. He also has off-the-field baggage, but Jackson claims to be "different" now then he was in the past. D-Jax returning would excite the fan base as well. Sign him.
4. Make a run at A.J. Bouye.
Bouye is a 25-year old cornerback. The Eagles desperately need a shut-down defensive back. I would sign Bouye and draft a young DB, especially since the spring draft is full of good corner backs.But with their limited cap space, can the Eagles afford Bouye when it comes time to out-bid other interested teams?
5. Trade down in the draft.
Fans may not like this one. At #14 or #15 in the first round of the April draft (in Philadelphia), the Eagles should get an impact player. Trading down, to maybe the end of the first round, would mean perhaps taking a secondary talent.If the Eagles are really locked into one guy, let's say WR Mike Williams, and he is there when they pick, they should go and get him. But if the Birds are still undecided, either about the particular player or position, then trading down makes sense.
The team has not done well in the draft the last few seasons. Getting extra picks gives the organization a better shot at filling many holes in the rebuilding process. It won't happen overnight. Getting an extra second or third rounder by trading down would help increase the chances of the Eagles getting help at much needed positions in a deep draft.
You then have flexibility to take a defensive back, wide receiver or even a running back in the first 3 rounds. Fill in with depth later. If the team drafts wisely and knows what they are doing, those extra picks could be big whne it comes to rebuilding the team into a long-time contender in the NFC East.
Especially if Philly cuts Ryan Mathews, they are going to need another running back to go with Wendell Smallwood and Darrin Sproules.
Also....
No one talks about trading back-up quarterback Chase Daniels. If Wentz goes down, the team is screwed anyway. Trade Daniels, get rid of his big contract, and sign a cheaper back-up, maybe even draft a young QB late to be behind Wentz.
It would never happen, but the Eagles should at least listen to offers for DT Fletcher Cox. Trading Cox would free up tons of cap space and imagine the return the Birds would get. Losing a rising star like Cox would be a set-back. The organization doesn't want to give this passionate fan-base the idea they are in full-rebuilding mode. So it would never happen.
As the Cowboys got good very quickly with wise draft selections, the Eagles could too. With an easier, last-place schedule, and another year of experience for Wentz, the team could vastly improve. That's why this off-season, which gets into full-gear starting now, is so important to the future of Philadelphia football.
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