Eagles Free Agency Recap: Grades for every signing so far

Evaluating how the Eagles have fared after the initial wave of free agency.

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© John David Mercer | 2021 Sep 12

The Eagles entered the offseason with a laundry list of impending free agents. 

Brandon Graham, Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave, James Bradberry, and more were all headed for free agency, and the team was near the bottom of the league in available cap space. 

While the team was able to retain several of these players, several more headed for greener pastures. Miles Sanders, Javon Hargrave, Kyzir White, TJ Edwards, Andre Dillard, and Marcus Epps highlight the latter list. 

With that being said, let's go ahead and grade every notable move made by the Eagles thus far. 

Re-signings

  • DT Fletcher Cox: 1 year, $10M 

The heart and soul of the Philadelphia defense will return for the 2023 season. Cox has been a vital cog in the Eagles' defense since entering the league in 2012. 

Cox received a $2.5M signing bonus and will earn $10M this season. Retaining Cox was not only important from a football standpoint, but a locker room one as well. 

Grade: A

  • CB James Bradberry: 3 years, $38M 

Bradberry is another key free agent on the defensive side of the ball that was retained. Bradberry received $20M guaranteed after posting one of his best seasons as a pro in 2022. 

That number could be a steal when compared to other deals signed by similar CBs. For example, Adoree Jackson, Jamel Dean, and Carlton Davis are all due to receive more guaranteed money than Bradberry. 

This deal will be well worth it if Bradberry duplicates his 2022 performance. 

Grade: A-

  • DE Brandon Graham: 1 year, $6M 

Graham is another long-term Eagle who just seems destined to remain in Philadelphia. 

It looked unlikely that the Eagles would be able to retain both Graham and Cox, but they managed to get it done. Cox and Graham joined by Jordan Davis still allows the Eagles to boast an elite defensive line. 

Grade: A

  • RB Boston Scott: 1 year, $2M 

This re-signing is questionable for a couple of reasons. 

For one, Scott will be 28 by the time the 2023 season starts, which is older for a running back. 

Second, the team still has Kenneth Gainwell and recently added Rashaad Penny. Scott only received around $1M in guarantees, however, so he is not a lock for the final roster. 

Still, it seems like a player could be taken in the mid-to-late rounds of the draft that could easily replicate Scott's contribution. 

Grade: C-

  • C Jason Kelce: 1 year, $9M 

Kelce is another player who just wouldn't look right in any other uniform. 

Kelce mentioned that losing in the Super Bowl to his brother's Chiefs gave him the motivation to run it back. Kelce will be the starting center for at least one more season. 

Grade: A

  • CB Darius Slay: 3 years, $42M 

What a back-and-forth offseason it has been for Slay and the Eagles. 

Reports of Slay requesting a trade were followed by reports that Slay did not request a trade. Then, reports of Slay being cut were later followed up by reports announcing an extension. 

As per the extension, Slay will receive $23M fully guaranteed. 

Yes, Slay was great in 2022, but he's also on the wrong side of 30. This is a lot of guaranteed money for a player whose performance has varied wildly. 

Grade: C

  • OL Brett Toth: 1 year, $1.1M 

Toth is a versatile lineman who can play multiple positions. After missing all of 2022 due to injury, Toth returns on a cheap, non-guaranteed deal. 

Toth provides solid depth after the Eagles lost Andre Dillard to the Titans. This is a roster-filling move that makes sense. 

Grade: B

Signings

  • RB Rashaad Penny: 1 year, $1.3M 

Taking a flier on Penny could turn out to be one of the best decisions the Eagles make this offseason. 

Before being lost for the season due to injury, Penny was averaging a whopping 6.1 yards per attempt in 2022. There are some injury concerns, as Penny has missed the majority of two seasons now with injury. 

However, Penny is only getting $600K guaranteed, so this is a low-risk, high-reward move. 

Grade: A

  • CB Greedy Williams: 1 year, terms unknown

Williams has had a mostly disappointing career to this point. After being selected in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Williams has struggled to stay on the field. 

The corner is still young, and can provide quality depth behind Slay and Bradberry. Expect this position to be addressed again in the 2023 NFL Draft. 

Until we know the financials, this grade is incomplete. 

Grade: Incomplete

  • QB Marcus Mariota: 1 year, $5M

This signing makes a ton of sense. Mariota plays a similar style to Jalen Hurts, unlike previous backup Gardner Minshew. 

Mariota is a veteran who has now been on four different teams. His leadership should be a huge benefit for the young star Hurts. And, if Hurts misses time, the team should be able to run the same offense with Mariota under center.

Grade: A