It's been a few weeks since the ball slipped through Alshon's hands. It is time to turn the page to the off season. This off-season is going to be fascinating to say the least.The team is up against the salary cap because they are an older team. However, the situation is not as bad as its being reported. The numbers I will use in this below are based on some reports but we have no way to know if they are true but I have to use something. At some point they do need to get younger. So I think the focus of this off-season is going to be just that while trying to maintain a playoff type team. This does not mean they won't sign some older players on one year contracts to fill out some positions but the overall theme will be to get younger and faster in some spots.
NUMBER ONE THING IS TO GET HEALTHY!!!
After that the place to start is the players who are under contract that should really be moved on from via a cut.
1. Jason Peters - Might be the best LT this team has ever had and we have had some good ones. However he struggled this year finishing games and at 10 million its going to be tough to keep him. I hope he retires and goes out on top. I know for sure he won't take a pay cut because he has refused in the past. Left Tackle becomes a priority for this team after this but I think it should be even if he would stay.
2. Timmy Jernigan - 13 million is a lot for a guy who is coming of a year where he had a major back injury. I know there were reports that all of his guarantees are gone after they renegotiated his contract, I still wonder if the 13 mill number for this year is legit. If he is somewhere at the 5 million mark I think he stays.
3. Chris Long - 6 million for him is an OK number but I think we can get six sacks from a rookie at a lower number. He may retire, I think the Eagles will want to know that pretty quickly.
Gone via Trade
1. Nick Foles - The Eagles will opt in, Foles will opt out and give back 2 million dollars. Essentially giving the Eagles a chance to franchise him. Which they will do. I think they trade him to Jacksonville who gives him the contract he desires, the starting position he desires and to play for an offense coach like Defillipo. They trade him along with a 4th round pick for a 2nd round pick and Jalen Ramsey (who is on the last year of his deal and Jacksonville is not sure if they want to resign him). Ramsey locks down one of the corner spots and the high second round pick is used below.
2. Nelson Agholor - Traded to the Colts for a 3rd round pick. I know some will disagree here but he is due 9.5 million this year, none of which is guaranteed. To sign him long term is going to cost even more per year. I just don't think he is a 12 million per year player.
Free Agents Additions/Resigns
1. Jordan Mathews - 2yrs 5 million. He just fits with this team for some reason. Not as a number 1 or 2 but as a guy who rotates in and can handle the slot at times. He caught 20 of 28 targets this year for 300 yards and two TD's.
2. Frank Clark DE Seattle - 5yrs 70 million. 25 years old, 14 sacks last year. He also was up on the list on QB pressures (otherwise known as Mamulas) and QB hits. In order to play Schwartz defense you need studs at every position on the line and additional backups who can flat out get to the QB.
3. Jake Fisher OT Cincinnati - 2yrs 10 million Can play left or right tackle. Was excellent in college, started to really come into his own in 2017 got hurt and then Cincy traded for Cordy Glenn for the 2018 season. He comes in to compete with Big V, Jordan M. and most likely a draft pick.
4. Rodney Gunter DT Arizona 3yrs 15 million. Add more to the DT position which will also be addressed in the draft.
5. Mike Wallace - 1yr 4 million. I think he wants a reboot
6. Jordan Hicks - 1yr 4 million. Hurt too much to get the type of contract you would think he wants. Really was not that good this year. Still at 4 million on a make good contract it makes sense for the Eagles and Hicks
7. Jeremy Maclin WR Street FA - He could not play last year due to an injury. He still wants to play and is still only 30. He comes back home on a 1 year deal with something to prove. I think the Eagles wanted him last year but due to his injury he couldn't play. IF healthy this makes a ton of sense.
The Draft (Based on my board)
1. Montez Sweat DE Mississippi State - Raw pass rusher with all the tools. Comes from Fletchs old school. FLetch takes him under his wing in by 2020 we have him and Barnett wreaking havoc on opposing QB's. Young bookends.
2. 7 (from Jacksonville ) Yodny Cajuste OT West Virginia - Light on his feet can play left tackle. Probably rises into the first round but would be a very good addition to the Eagles. Eagles like West Virginia players
2.22 (From Baltimore) Benny Snell Jr. RB Kentucky - A huge need on this team is a solid running back. Snell was a record breaker at Kentucky. Just turn on the tape against Penn State in the bowl game and you can see his vision, his patience and how he can pick up a blitz. Does not have elite speed but then again we won in 2017 with RB without elite speed.
2.25 Riley Ridley WR Georgia - He is not his brother but he is a good WR is in own right. Georgia offense is limited so its tough to see the route tree but he does what he does well. Is a big play type guy down the field. Really think he is a good addition to this team.
3. 89 (from Indy) David Dowell S Michigan St.
4. (project comp pick) Brett Rypien QB Boise State - Nate becomes the backup and Brett the third string who learns.
5. 152 Tre Lamar ILB Clemson
6. 184 Terry Becker DT Missouri
6. (projected comp pick ) Alec Eberle C Florida State
6. (projected comp pick) CeCe Jefferson OLB Florida
Overall there is a ton of work to do. I think the names above will change, maybe the trades will change etc. But as a skeleton I think the Eagles look to get something like the above done this off season.
NUMBER ONE THING IS TO GET HEALTHY!!!
After that the place to start is the players who are under contract that should really be moved on from via a cut.
1. Jason Peters - Might be the best LT this team has ever had and we have had some good ones. However he struggled this year finishing games and at 10 million its going to be tough to keep him. I hope he retires and goes out on top. I know for sure he won't take a pay cut because he has refused in the past. Left Tackle becomes a priority for this team after this but I think it should be even if he would stay.
2. Timmy Jernigan - 13 million is a lot for a guy who is coming of a year where he had a major back injury. I know there were reports that all of his guarantees are gone after they renegotiated his contract, I still wonder if the 13 mill number for this year is legit. If he is somewhere at the 5 million mark I think he stays.
3. Chris Long - 6 million for him is an OK number but I think we can get six sacks from a rookie at a lower number. He may retire, I think the Eagles will want to know that pretty quickly.
Gone via Trade
1. Nick Foles - The Eagles will opt in, Foles will opt out and give back 2 million dollars. Essentially giving the Eagles a chance to franchise him. Which they will do. I think they trade him to Jacksonville who gives him the contract he desires, the starting position he desires and to play for an offense coach like Defillipo. They trade him along with a 4th round pick for a 2nd round pick and Jalen Ramsey (who is on the last year of his deal and Jacksonville is not sure if they want to resign him). Ramsey locks down one of the corner spots and the high second round pick is used below.
2. Nelson Agholor - Traded to the Colts for a 3rd round pick. I know some will disagree here but he is due 9.5 million this year, none of which is guaranteed. To sign him long term is going to cost even more per year. I just don't think he is a 12 million per year player.
Free Agents Additions/Resigns
1. Jordan Mathews - 2yrs 5 million. He just fits with this team for some reason. Not as a number 1 or 2 but as a guy who rotates in and can handle the slot at times. He caught 20 of 28 targets this year for 300 yards and two TD's.
2. Frank Clark DE Seattle - 5yrs 70 million. 25 years old, 14 sacks last year. He also was up on the list on QB pressures (otherwise known as Mamulas) and QB hits. In order to play Schwartz defense you need studs at every position on the line and additional backups who can flat out get to the QB.
3. Jake Fisher OT Cincinnati - 2yrs 10 million Can play left or right tackle. Was excellent in college, started to really come into his own in 2017 got hurt and then Cincy traded for Cordy Glenn for the 2018 season. He comes in to compete with Big V, Jordan M. and most likely a draft pick.
4. Rodney Gunter DT Arizona 3yrs 15 million. Add more to the DT position which will also be addressed in the draft.
5. Mike Wallace - 1yr 4 million. I think he wants a reboot
6. Jordan Hicks - 1yr 4 million. Hurt too much to get the type of contract you would think he wants. Really was not that good this year. Still at 4 million on a make good contract it makes sense for the Eagles and Hicks
7. Jeremy Maclin WR Street FA - He could not play last year due to an injury. He still wants to play and is still only 30. He comes back home on a 1 year deal with something to prove. I think the Eagles wanted him last year but due to his injury he couldn't play. IF healthy this makes a ton of sense.
The Draft (Based on my board)
1. Montez Sweat DE Mississippi State - Raw pass rusher with all the tools. Comes from Fletchs old school. FLetch takes him under his wing in by 2020 we have him and Barnett wreaking havoc on opposing QB's. Young bookends.
2. 7 (from Jacksonville ) Yodny Cajuste OT West Virginia - Light on his feet can play left tackle. Probably rises into the first round but would be a very good addition to the Eagles. Eagles like West Virginia players
2.22 (From Baltimore) Benny Snell Jr. RB Kentucky - A huge need on this team is a solid running back. Snell was a record breaker at Kentucky. Just turn on the tape against Penn State in the bowl game and you can see his vision, his patience and how he can pick up a blitz. Does not have elite speed but then again we won in 2017 with RB without elite speed.
2.25 Riley Ridley WR Georgia - He is not his brother but he is a good WR is in own right. Georgia offense is limited so its tough to see the route tree but he does what he does well. Is a big play type guy down the field. Really think he is a good addition to this team.
3. 89 (from Indy) David Dowell S Michigan St.
4. (project comp pick) Brett Rypien QB Boise State - Nate becomes the backup and Brett the third string who learns.
5. 152 Tre Lamar ILB Clemson
6. 184 Terry Becker DT Missouri
6. (projected comp pick ) Alec Eberle C Florida State
6. (projected comp pick) CeCe Jefferson OLB Florida
Overall there is a ton of work to do. I think the names above will change, maybe the trades will change etc. But as a skeleton I think the Eagles look to get something like the above done this off season.
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