Fansided

NFL free agency 2019: Grades for every team

By Kevin Parvizi

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 25: Odell Beckham #13 of the New York Giants yells prior to the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 25, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 25: Odell Beckham #13 of the New York Giants yells prior to the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 25, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 15: DeSean Jackson #10 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs against the Minnesota Vikings at Mall of America Field on December 15, 2013 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings won 48-30. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Philadelphia Eagles/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 15: DeSean Jackson #10 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs against the Minnesota Vikings at Mall of America Field on December 15, 2013 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings won 48-30. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Philadelphia Eagles/Getty Images) /

Philadelphia Eagles

Key Additions: WR DeSean Jackson, DT Malik Jackson, RB Jordan Howard (trade), EDGE Vinny Curry

Key Departures: WR Golden Tate, DL Michael Bennett (trade), QB Nick Foles, ILB Jordan Hicks, WR Jordan Matthews, WR Mike Wallace

Grade: A

It seems like the Philadelphia Eagles lost more than they gained in free agency, but the reality is that they either replaced these departures or simply never needed those pieces to begin with. For example, the Eagles always expected to lose Nick Foles, star linebacker Jordan Hicks couldn’t be trusted due to injuries, and they didn’t envision holding onto Golden Tate. As for Jordan Matthews and Mike Wallace, it’s not like either were key contributors last season.

DeSean Jackson on his own is an upgrade over Tate, Matthews, and Wallace. While Tate may arguably be the better player overall, Jackson fits this offense so much better. Tate struggled to get involved, and the Eagles didn’t feel the need to take advantage of his full skill-set or feature him. They also have Nelson Agholor and Zach Ertz to work the middle, leaving Alshon Jeffery out wide and now Jackson as the deep threat.

High praise must go to Howie Roseman, who has already constructed one Super Bowl-winning team, for shoring up any weaknesses on offense by acquiring Jackson, a generational deep threat, and Jordan Howard, a workhorse running back. Howard ran for over 1,300 yards as a rookie and has nine rushing touchdowns in back-to-back seasons, yet the talented 24-year-old was brought into Philadelphia for a mere sixth-round pick in 2020. Roseman made a huge upgrade at running back at a bargain price, snagging a feature back for the price of a future flier pick.

Though Michael Bennett will be missed, the Eagles made two more important moves up front. Firstly, they re-signed Super Bowl hero and productive pass rusher Brandon Graham, and then they added one of the league’s best defenders in Malik Jackson; he is as good of a fit as the returning Vinny Curry.

Expectations will be high for the Eagles in 2019, because there’s plenty to be excited about after a strong series of moves from this acclaimed front office.

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