Doug Pederson will have plenty of meet and greet sessions with his new players. With necessary roster upgrades needed on both offense and defense, Pederson could look to familiar territory to help upgrade the roster. I’ve identified four players that played in Kansas City during the 2015 season and are now unrestricted free agents.
Jeff Allen– Offensive Guard
Jeff Allen has started 36 games over the course of his four year career for the Chiefs (missed 15 games in 2014 due to injury), and understands the running concepts that Pederson will want to execute in Philadelphia. Allen is the perfect for the Eagles; he is a mid-level free agent that will command a doable contract. Allen would provide an immediate upgrade to the Barbre or Gardner, guys that provide good depth, but are not starter worthy NFL players.
I could see Allen on a 3 year deal at a total worth of 14 million, (6 million guaranteed), and the Eagles looking to draft a guy in round three to challenge for the other offensive guard position.
Donald Stephenson– Offensive Tackle
Primarily a backup even with 21 starts over his four year career, Stephenson would provide exactly what the Eagles need, depth behind Jason Peters. Stephenson is an athletic tackle, whose technique reminds me of current Eagle Lane Johnson.
Before anyone calculates how much money the Eagles will save by releasing the “aging” and “declining” Jason Peters, I’m going to ask that you press pause on that notion. Yes, Jason Peters declined with his performance last season, and was often injured, but I completely agree with his statement to the media when asked about his role with the team for the 2016 season. “I’m the best we got. Who are they going to put there? Who’s better than me in this locker room,” said Peters.
Jason Peters is my guy over any offensive tackle the Eagles may target in the upcoming draft. The Eagles are not in a position to spend on one of the top offensive tackles that will command top dollar in free agency. I’ll gamble with the theory that without the craziness and demand that Chip Kelly’s high-tempo style will help him to remain upright. Let’s say he were to miss time, I’ve seen enough of Dennis Kelly, having a play like Stephenson is the perfect guy to step up and fill in.
Chase Daniel-Quarterback
If Daniel starts, the Eagles are in a lot of trouble. If Daniels is there as yet another aid for Doug Pederson, serving as a “player-coach,” that’s a good move by Pederson. Daniels can serve as a mentor to a rookie, taking over the role that the Eagles head coach and offensive coordinator did to the max during their NFL career.
Jason Avant– Wide Receiver
I thought it was a great move by Chip Kelly to sign Miles Austin last year to help “mentor” the young receivers. Where Kelly went wrong was actually calling plays for Austin and the amount of playing time Austin received before eventually being released.
Avant could do wonders for the young core of receivers. Nelson Agholor is a player who will need to be an excellent route runner to make plays at the NFL level; he has the athleticism to be a different maker.
Josh Huff “needs” a father figure role, a “mentor” to help with the mental aspect of the game. I’m not giving up on Huff just yet, but if he can’t make the jump in year three, I’ll forever be reminded by the success of Martavis Bryant and John Brown of receivers the Eagles could have had in the 2014 draft.
I believe all four signings by Doug Pederson are within reach, they all make sense and would be low cost options to help the Eagles for the 2016 season and beyond.
Solid arguments and I fully agree. Not sure we need a guy like Chase but… I think he would be an upgrade over Sanchez from a mentor standpoint. Well said Jeff.
Chase does nothing for me, nor does the offensive coordinator that Pedersen went with. It’s a mere comfort thing with Daniels.
Ur missing the most important chief.
Eric berry
Target that man!!!!!!!!!!!!
Berry was a guy I absolutely would have added to the list if I felt he was leaving the Chiefs. Andy Reid loves that kid, especially after he came back from such adversity.
Ok. I love Jason Peters however he has back issues. Those tend to get worse not better. Also……
If I draft an OT in round one the expectation is….He Starts!!!!!
If you can get Lane Johnson @ LT and a Rookie RT (which we will need no matter what in a year or two) and save 6.5 million on the Cap…. You must make this move.
Bradford 13,000,000.
Sanchez. 3,750,000.
Lewis. 500,000.
Total 17,250,000
Cooper 4,800,000
Total
22,050,000 Cap hit this Year.
If you get Bradford. Lose Sanchez, sign another cheap backup and or Draft a cheap back up. Lose cooper. You could likely stabilize your QB situation for 5 years and allow for growing a young talent. For the same cap hit you had this year while paying Bradford approx 20,000,000 per year average which with cap increases will be less proportionally in the future years.
Do it!
Draft a RT, 2 Guards, And A Big Center. (Unless some of the guys squirreled away on p squad and back end of roster look better than what is available at G, C.
I am a Kelce Fan but he seems a bit light. Perhaps two Mauling Guards will help him.
Get the Oline right and under contract for the next few years.
There are a-lot of areas to trim salary to pay for the impact guys like Cox.
punter 2 plus mil? He’s awesome but damn get a guy for far far less cause a punter at this point is not a place for this money. As important as Special teams are it needs to be comprised of YOUTH that is Hungry and CHEAP. Must drop Maragos, Brahman, et al that do not Start in order to improve at the starting 22. Down the road you can develop depth but we need Starters and a core
The salary cuts are something I definitely plan to break down, there are some cuts post June 1st that would free up some money to extend or resign guys like cox, curry, ertz, johnson.
Cooper is the first name on everyones list, and mustafa. ..aka. d. Ryans is another guy. I’m a ryans fan, but with how bad chip put us cap wise with large cap hits to rbs and maxwell, some fan favorites will be lost.
Jason Peters and celek would both clear huge cap numbers for where they are at in their careers, but coach Pedersen I expect to talk to these guys, and both to remain on the roster.
I listed these same Players earlier this week as potential Free-Agent Targets
Now look at the Bills/Lions Defense and see what Players has ties to
DC Jim Schwartz…
OLB N Bradham
Safety Baccarri Rambo
Watch for Trade with Bills Mario Williams who flourished under Jim Schwartz..
or you could let the average Barwin play DE, and go after Ziggy Ansah in Free agency, and Put Ansah, and Curry together creating the pass rush in the 4-3 GMCliff envisioned the year Ansah was passed over for Lame.
You know I liked Bradham coming out of College, I don’t know where he is in terms of health, but I wouldn’t mind seeing him on this team to at least create some needed depth.
We need better pass rushing options than Graham, and Barwin….seriously
Eagles will have to play field position and ball control (imagine that) so the punter is a valuable player…
Disagree about punter. The impact salary wise is too much. Starting Safety or a punter??
Quite frankly I don’t care who the punter is and I try to never argue about sports money… Because it is funny money…. So sure cut all the special teams guys as you mention… Special teams are over rated…. Lol
Haven’t you people learned that building through free agency is stupid? Maybe one or two guys max… And yes Pederson having familiarity helps but again careful what you wish for
The Eagles must win the upcoming nfl draft, your spot on. Free agency must be part of retooling roster, but impact players..within two years from this draft.
I was going to wait to start discussing nfl draft, but for those who want to address guys in round 3..4..5 that could be possible starters within next 2 to 3 years, I’m listening.
I hope that andy reids..abilityto locate good offensive linemen I’m the mid rounds was passed on to Pedersen.
Regal, I believe you are leaving out the “dead cap” hits for a couple players.
Sanchez counts 5.5 million against the cap if on the roster. If Cut, he still counts 2 million.
Eagles Save 3.5 million of space if cut
Cooper counts 5.3 million against the cap if on roster. If cut he still counts 2.4 million.
Eagles save 2.9 million if cut.
So there is savings to be had if those 2 guys are cut, but not as much as you think. (6.4 million total.)
Players that have to be worried purely because of cap numbers:
Celek. 5 million cap hit if on roster. 0 if cut.
Savings: 5 million!!
Peters: 9.2 million cap hit if on roster. 3 million if cut.
Savings:6.2 million. However….Peters will continue to take up cap space for 2 years more, 2 million in 2017 and 1 million in 2018…so I don’t think he’ll be cut this year. But bub-bye next season for sure.
Yes there is dead money but It was just a beginning.
The point is that we can afford multiple lock ups of our guys if we cut the FAT.
Sign Bradford, Curry, consider Thurmond if value is right.
Extend Cox
Trade
Barwin
Cut- Ryans, Cooper, Celek
Jones, Magic Man, peters (after draft)
Focus on increasing starting Talent.
This year may have to start
WR Mathews, Agholor outside
WR Huff in slot (unless you can send him to chip for a pick)
TE Ertz
And I keep coming back that the Eagles have Approx $24 Million of Cap Space
The Eagles have 12 Roster Spots to fill or replace with their own pending Free-Agents and will need $8 Million for Sign their Rookie Draft Class
How do the Eagles Sign QB Bradford, Plus 11 other Players to field a Roster, Plus their Draft Class….when they $24 Million under the Cap
Yes, Releasing or Reworking Deals for Celek, Cooper, Sanchez , Ryans will save $$$$, but you have to replace these Players on the Roster as well..
Can you cut Huff,Barner, Hart, Bair & Alonso due to their ties to Oregon?
Yes you could, but all these Players are on Rookie Deals and don’t cost very much and if you release them, then you have to replace them with other Players costing about the same or possibly more if they are from another Team with experience and tenure in the NFL
I see very little Player movement in Pederson’s 1st Season who are currently under Contract now for the Players that are Free-Agents, I see the Eagles
Attempting to retain Curry & Thurmond & DB’s Biggers & Watkins
Josh huff not happy with eagles…
chip not a fan if smaller wide receivers…
Thoughts on huff for Bruce ellington straight up?
Both guys could benefit from a change in scenery, only issue is…
Would 49ers and chip dare to talk to eagles about a trade…?
You have to remember, it’s not Chip Kelly’s Call.. It’s 49ers Trent Balke’s Call
The 49ers have 12 Draft Picks this 2016 Draft
They also have young WR Quron Patton who along with Bruce Ellington were Drafted By Balke to go along with Veterans A Boldin & Torrey Smith
I hope quan gets himself a ring, signs with a true contender in offseason. I remember when he got his jaw shattered and was suiting up the following week.
A Boldin has been a Stud & Good Locker Room Teammate over his Career, I forgot that he’s a Free-Agent .. Didn’t Boldin win a SB with Flacco & Ravens a few years back?
I’ve not read the report that huff is unhappy…. Where is that? Also huff is making an NFL check… How can he be unhappy about anything?
We dont need to sign Jason Avant…too old, too slow…we need younger wide receivers
Zach Ertz just signed a 5-year $42.5 million deal with $20 million guaranteed. That’s now $13 million locked up between two tight ends (Celek & Ertz). Looks like writing is on the wall for Celek unless he is willing to take a solid pay cut.