Philadelphia, PA - Armed with a new coach and a first-year starting quarterback, the Eagles surprised many by going 9-8 and making the playoffs last season.
Philadelphia Eagles Free Agency Review and Biggest Needs in The 2022 NFL Draft
With a full year at the helm under their belts, the pressure will be on Nick Sirianni and Jalen Hurts to take the team to the next level.
That process all begins with the free agency period. For Philadelphia, it was less about the new players that came in, but rather the names that will be sticking around.
Franchise stalwarts in center Jason Kelce and defensive tackle Fletcher Cox will don the midnight green for at least one more season. This is a huge boost for a young team that now gets to keep its veteran leaders.
Additionally, former first-round pick Derek Barnett, safety Anthony Harris, and receiver Greg Ward will be back in the fold. The trio return on low-investment deals, so if things don’t pan out, it won’t be hard to walk away.
That’s not to say the Eagles didn’t add some good pieces, though. Defensively, the Birds signed former-Panthers defensive end Haason Reddick and ex-Chargers linebacker Kyzir White.
Reddick, a first-rounder from Temple, has posted 23.5 sacks in the past two years. Drafted as a linebacker, Reddick has elite speed for a defensive lineman and expects to start in the Eagles' pass rush.
One of the defense’s weaknesses last year was the linebacker corps and White should help improve the unit. The West Virginia product also changed positions, playing safety in college before transitioning to linebacker. This gives him a unique skill set that should make him valuable in coverage.
Philly was quieter on offense, but did add receiver Zach Pascal from the Colts. Pascal has a chance to start in an Eagles offense that is searching for a true No. 2 receiver next to DeVonta Smith.
With the 2022 NFL Draft just around the corner, Eagles fans wait with nervous anticipation to see what their team does with its two first-round picks.
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Sam Woloson
Sports Writer
PhillyBite sports contributor and Philadelphia Eagles Writer.
Follow Sam on Twitter @WolosonSam and Instagram: @Sam_Woloson
