The Philadelphia Eagles are experiencing significant structural change for a second straight offseason. Coach Nick Sirianni has again hired new offensive and defensive coordinators, and general manager Howie Roseman will be preparing potential retirement plans for at least two franchise icons. Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox have not yet formally announced their decisions on their playing futures.
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The majority of the Eagles’ talented core remains under contract for multiple seasons. But as March approaches, the franchise must decide which unrestricted free agents it will retain. With that in mind, we put together a ranking of Philadelphia’s top 10 free agents in terms of potential interest they could receive from teams on the open market.
1. D’Andre Swift, RB
Roseman’s draft-day trade with the Detroit Lions was his best acquisition of the 2023 offseason. Swift, who never had more than 151 carries or 617 yards in a season during his three years with the Lions, secured his first Pro Bowl selection with the Eagles while also logging his first 1,000-yard season. But like Miles Sanders before him, Swift’s age, production and versatility are likely to attract a more lucrative long-term deal than Roseman is willing to give. The Eagles have ranked in the bottom 10 in positional spending at running back in each of the last four seasons.
“I’m just thankful I was in position to do that,” Swift toldThe Athleticon locker room clean-out day. “Whatever comes from it, comes from it. Wherever I end up, I end up. I don’t really want to say too much because I don’t know nothing right now. My focus is just getting my body right and getting back to work.”
2. Fletcher Cox, DT
Although Jordan Davis spoke on locker clean-out day as if Cox was not returning, the six-time Pro Bowler told reporters he hadn’t yet decided on his playing future. Cox proved in 2023 that he can still create pressure in the backfield. His 43 quarterback pressures ranked 13th among all defensive tackles, according to TruMedia, and he ranked fourth on the team with five sacks. He could play for any number of teams if he so chooses. But as Davis and Jalen Carter are expected to step into larger roles, it’s possible Cox re-signs with the only team he’s ever played for under a sensible contract in which he can still provide solid productivity in fewer snaps.
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3. Braden Mann, P
The Eagles ranked first in special teams DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average) partly due to Mann’s punting proficiency. He ranked fifth in the NFL in net yards per punt (43.9), 22nd in percentage of punts downed inside the opponent’s 20 (34.1), and his one touchback gave him the league’s second-lowest touchback percentage (2.3). Mann was a midseason upgrade in 2023 after the Eagles released beleaguered punter Arryn Siposs after two games. The Eagles know from Siposs’ shanked punt in Super Bowl LVII just how pivotal the position can be. It shouldn’t break the bank to maintain consistency.
4. Zach Cunningham, LB
Signed six days into training camp, Cunningham performed at a higher level than a standard one-year mercenary. Despite the Eagles’ steady decline on defense, Roseman insisted Cunningham “really did” have a “good year” as the team’s off-the-ball Will linebacker. He ranked third on the team with 85 tackles while playing in 13 games. The Eagles must re-stock their roster at the position. Nakobe Dean is the only one left under contract who totaled more than 50 snaps. Do they believe Cunningham can provide stability under Vic Fangio?
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5. Brandon Graham, DE
The ageless wonder wants to come back to Philly for what he called a one-year “farewell tour.” It’s hard to project Graham’s future as anything other than 1) playing for the Eagles in 2024 or 2) retiring. He’ll turn 36 in April. His snap share has steadily diminished from 69 percent in 2020 to 34 percent in 2023. Still, he’s an efficient pass rusher. His 13.7 percent pressure rate ranked 23rd among defensive ends, according to TruMedia. Fangio could very well find a role for him in third-down packages supporting Nolan Smith, Haason Reddick and Josh Sweat, all of whom remain under contract.
6. Olamide Zaccheaus, WR
After signing a one-year deal with the Eagles, the 5-foot-8, 193-pound wideout came nowhere near the production he totaled in four seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. But that was somewhat expected, as he dropped from the No. 2 option to No. 3 behind A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Zaccheaus was targeted 61 times in 2022 and just 20 times in 2023. The Eagles are aiming to remove the “staleness” from their system under new coordinator Kellen Moore, and Zaccheaus revealed he can be a big-play threat. He led the team with 16.4 yards per reception, and his 29-yard touchdown catch against the Buffalo Bills on a jump ball in the end zone helped spur a second-half comeback.
7. Shaquille Leonard, LB
If the four-time All-Pro wanted to prove he could still produce on the field, Leonard did so after playing five games with the Eagles upon signing a late-season contract. He showed backfield burst with a sack and two tackles for loss against the New York Giants on Christmas Day, but there will still be questions regarding how sustainable Leonard can be after undergoing two back surgeries in 2022. The fiery competitor likely wanted to prove he could still be a starter in the NFL. The Eagles have already expressed confidence in Dean, and it’s more likely they’d want Leonard back in a similar role, if at all.
Shaquille Leonard started three games after signing with the Eagles in December. (Adam Hunger / Getty Images)
8. Marcus Mariota, QB
Mariota remains a solid backup. He saw minimal time behind Jalen Hurts in 2023. But when the Eagles sat Hurts in a blowout against the Giants, Mariota went 13-of-20 for 148 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He’s been a mobile quarterback in his career (rushing for 438 yards and four touchdowns for the Falcons in 2022), which would suit any quarterback run calls Sirianni chooses to keep in the 2024 playbook. Will the Eagles retain Mariota? Or will they decide that 2023 sixth-round pick Tanner McKee (or another free agent) provides sufficient support as a backup?
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9. Nicholas Morrow, LB
Morrow was targeted frequently in pass coverage in his one season under Sean Desai and Matt Patricia. He surrendered four touchdowns in pass coverage, according to Pro Football Focus, tied for fourth most at his position. Still, Morrow’s missed tackle percentage (7.7) was tied for 20th lowest among linebackers (minimum 234 snaps). His 12 tackles for loss were tied for 28th in the NFL. Morrow played for his third team in six seasons. He shouldn’t have trouble finding a fourth.
10. Sua Opeta, OG
If Kelce indeed retires, the Eagles will need more depth at guard. Cam Jurgens (right guard) or Landon Dickerson (left guard) are the most likely heir apparents at the center position. The Eagles could decide to move 2023 third-round pick Tyler Steen to the interior. Opeta started in six games while offering depth due to injuries. The 21 pressures he surrendered ranked fifth most among guards who played within his range of snaps (516), according to TruMedia.
Other free agents of note: CB Bradley Roby, WR Quez Watkins, RB Boston Scott, RB Rashaad Penny, S Justin Evans, WR Julio Jones, LS Rick Lovato. *TE Jack Stoll is a restricted free agent.
(Top photo of D’Andre Swift: Mitchell Leff / Getty Images)
Brooks Kubena is a Staff Writer for The Athletic covering the Eagles. Brooks has covered the NFL since 2021, most recently as a reporter for the Houston Chronicle covering the Texans, and he previously reported on LSU football for The Advocate | Times-Picayune from 2018-2020. Brooks, a graduate of the University of Texas, has received APSE National Top 10 honors eight times for his reporting, which includes his beat writing coverage during the 2022 season. Follow Brooks on Twitter @BKubena
