Philadelphia saw a mass exodus of talent during the initial wave of free 2023 NFL agency, but Howie Roseman was able to offset the deficit with talent already on the roster.
Roseman whiffed on the signings of Rashaad Penny and Terrell Edmunds, but he’ll get credit for drafting Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith with the team’s two first-round picks.
The Eagles are scheduled to have 22 free agents in the 2024 offseason cycle courtesy of Over The Cap, and we’re looking at five players that Philadelphia must re-sign this offseason.
D'Andre Swift
Kenneth Gainwell is the only running back on the roster signed beyond 2023, and Swift has more than proved that’s he’s deserving of returning on a short-term deal.
Swift is 12 yards shy of his first 1,000-yard season, and he’s been healthy throughout the 2023 season.
Howie Roseman won’t break the bank, but a 4-year, $20 million deal could be a starting point.
Brandon Graham
Graham is approaching game 195 in an Eagles uniform, and he’s become a legendary figure in the city of Philadelphia.
Graham has talked about retiring after 15 seasons, and 2024 would hit the mark for the former Michgan Wolverines linebacker.
A future Ring of Honor nominee, Graham deserves to play his final season in Philadelphia.
Sua Opeta
Since joining the Eagles as an undrafted lineman out of Weber State in 2019, Sua Opeta he’s logged over 400 career snaps at left guard and almost 500 snaps at right guard, according to Pro Football Focus. A large chunk of those right-guard snaps have occurred this season; including 69 snaps against Seattle, and then switching over to left guard against the Giants and logging 65+ snaps.
In the seven games Opeta has played offensive snaps this season, he has allowed two sacks, one quarterback hit, and 19 pressures.
With Jason Kelce likely to retire, Opeta offers a valuable cross-trained player to have behind Landon Dickerson and Tyler Steen once Cam Jurgens moves over to center.
Braden Mann
Philadelphia has gone years without a bright spot at the punter position, but Mann could be viable solution for the future.
According to PFF, Mann is 9th in the NFL in punt gross average (49.21).
Olamide Zaccheaus
With the Quez Watkins era likely set to end this offseason, bringing Zaccheaus back wouldn’t be the worst idea.
Zaccheaus has eight catches for 144 yards, and two touchdowns.
Those numbers are down from the 40 catches, for 533 yards, and three touchdowns he had in 2022 with the Falcons, but he’s also on a roster with two 1,000-yard receivers (A.J. Brown/DeVonta Smith).
Still he’s averaging 18.0 yards per catch when targeted, and has shown the willingness to be a physical run blocker.
Shaquille Leonard
Nakobe Dean and Ben VanSumeren are the only inside linebackers on the roster signed beyond 2023, and if the Eagles aren’t going to seriously address the position via the draft, then bringing back Leonard could be the best idea.
Zach Cunningham was productive at the position before suffering injuries down the stretch, but Leonard is familiar with Sirianni and when healthy, could transform the Philadelphia defense.
