Free Agents Eagles Should Pursue After 2024 NFL Draft

The Philadelphia Eagles should have a stronger roster in 2024 than it had at the end of the 2023 season. If it isn't better, it will at least be different.

General manager Howie Roseman attacked a defense that struggled down the stretch in free agency. Incoming players like C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Bryce Huff, Oren Burks and Devin White should improve that side of the ball. Philly also added running back Saquon Barkley to give the offense another potent threat.

In the draft, the Eagles landed cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, who should further bolster a previously lackluster secondary. With Vic Fangio coming in as defensive coordinator, Philly has a chance to field a championship-caliber defense once again.

And the Eagles may not be done. With $26.6 million in cap space remaining, Philadelphia can add a few more pieces to the proverbial puzzle. Here, we'll examine three more free agents the Eagles should target following the 2024 NFL draft.

Nelson didn't look back on his lone season as an Eagle fondly on the Corner Suite podcast (h/t Bleacher Report's Jack Murray). Yet, he might be open to a reunion now that the Eagles have become legitimate NFC contenders.

Adding Huff should boost the Eagles' pass rush over the long-term. However, Philadelphia also traded away Haason Reddick this offseason. Philly could stand to add more to its edge rotation in an effort to field a defense closer to its 2022 unit than its 2023 iteration.

The defense produced a solid 43 sacks in 2023 but recorded a league-best 70 sacks the previous year.

Calais Campbell may be 37 years old, but he's still quite capable of being a potent situational edge-rusher. He logged 6.5 sacks and 24 quarterback pressures with the Atlanta Falcons last season.

Campbell hasn't fully committed to playing for another season, but he left the door open for a return back in January.

"I'm gonna go through my process, but I'm leaning toward playing again," Campbell told Kelly Price of Fox 5 Atlanta.

Signing Campbell would give the Eagles another veteran presence in the locker room, plus another front-line defender who can get after opposing quarterbacks when it matters most.

Adding DeJean and Mitchell will boost a cornerback room that already has one standout in Darius Slay—and could have another if Fangio can help James Bradberry return to his 2022 form.

However, a team with Super Bowl aspirations can never have too much cornerback depth. Xavien Howard could be an option after playing for Fangio with the Miami Dolphins last season.

Of course, it's fair to wonder if Howard would want to reunite with Fangio. His 2023 teammate, Jalen Ramsey, seemed to criticize the veteran coordinator for his usage of the cornerback tandem after the season on social media.

A better option might be, Steven Nelson, who was one of the Houston Texans' most consistent defenders last season. Nelson appeared in all 17 games and allowed an opposing passer rating of only 73.3 in coverage.

Nelson has valuable postseason experience from his time with the Texans, Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs. He also spent the 2021 season in Philadelphia.

Nelson didn't look back on his lone season as an Eagle fondly on the Corner Suite podcast (h/t Bleacher Report's Jack Murray). Yet, he might be open to a reunion now that the Eagles have become legitimate NFC contenders.

The Seattle Seahawks' 2020 trade for safety Jamal Adams never quite panned out. Adams recorded 9.5 sacks and made the Pro Bowl in his first season with the franchise, but injuries and inconsistent play in coverage prevented him from becoming a perennial star.

However, Adams does offer some intriguing positional versatility that Fangio could utilize in a scheme that prioritizes disguised coverages. Having Adams as depth at strong safety would also give Fangio more flexibility with Gardner-Johnson, who can play multiple positions.

Another factor to consider is that Adams has reportedly drawn interest from the NFC rival San Francisco 49ers—and a return to Seattle remains possible.

"Sources said the San Francisco 49ers are one of a handful of teams who have kept in touch with Adams, so the Seahawks could have some competition for the former All-Pro safety, who is still just 28 years old," Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times wrote.

Adding Adams would give Philadelphia more depth on the back end, another situational pass-rusher and prevent him from joining arguably the Eagles' biggest obstacle in the conference.

*Cap information via Spotrac. Advanced statistics from Pro Football Reference.