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NFL free agency: Winners and losers from Day 1

By Kevin Parvizi

OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 03: Wide receiver DeSean Jackson #10 of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up before a game against the Oakland Raiders on November 3, 2013 at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Eagles won 49-20. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 03: Wide receiver DeSean Jackson #10 of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up before a game against the Oakland Raiders on November 3, 2013 at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, California. The Eagles won 49-20. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 25: DeSean Jackson #11 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks towards the bench during warm-up before a game against the San Francisco 49ers at Raymond James Stadium on November 25, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 25: DeSean Jackson #11 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks towards the bench during warm-up before a game against the San Francisco 49ers at Raymond James Stadium on November 25, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

WINNERS: Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles were the biggest winners on the first day of free agency, and their headlining acquisition was a reunion with star wide receiver DeSean Jackson, who remains one of the best deep threats in the league. Though he didn’t have his best season in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense last year, D-Jax fits perfectly in an Eagles offense with Carson Wentz at quarterback and Alshon Jeffery on the other side of the formation; seriously, Jeffery and Jackson qualifies as a dream duo.

Plus, the Eagles obtained Jackson at a bargain price, surrendering just a sixth-round pick and getting an additional seventh-rounder in return.

Even at the age of 32, Jackson, who is one of the best deep threats in NFL history, remains a threat. Jackson averaged nearly 19 yards per reception and 65 yards per game last year with three 110-yard performances in his first four games, including back-to-back 120+ yard games to begin the 2018 campaign. The Bucs used him less as the season wore on, so a change of scenery – and a partnership with a much better quarterback in Wentz – could do D-Jax wonders.

But that’s not all the Eagles did. They re-upped veteran left tackle Jason Peters, a dependable contributor who was once one of the NFL’s best blindside protectors, for another year. Philadelphia also replaced Michael Bennett’s production by signing Malik Jackson to a three-year deal worth $30 million (signing first reported by ESPN’s ace reporter Josina Anderson). In Jackson and the other-worldly Fletcher Cox, the Eagles will have one of the most fearsome interior pass rushing combinations.

All in all, it was a phenomenal day for the Eagles, who are looking to grab themselves another Super Bowl ring after bagging two big names in Malik and DeSean Jackson.

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