Two Colts players the Eagles should kick the tires on

With the hire of new Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni, the team is sure to look a little different next season. Due to Sirianni’s connections with Indianapolis (just look at the coaching staff), the team has been linked to multiple Colts players since the hiring. There are two players specifically that I like for the Eagles:
Zach Pascal, WR, Restricted FA
The Colts will have the option to retain Pascal’s services depending on what tender they place on him (a second-round tender ensures that he’s back in Indy). If the Colts do allow another team to have a chance at him, the Eagles should explore it. Pascal came into the league as an undrafted free agent in 2017 and has been one of Indy’s most consistent weapons over the last two seasons:
2019 Season | 2020 Season |
41 catches | 44 catches |
607 yards | 629 yards |
5 TDs | 5 TDs |
14.8 yards/catch | 14.3 yards/catch |
The 26-year-old receiver excelled with Sirianni as offensive coordinator and was teammates with Travis Fulgham at Old Dominion. Pascal would be a cheap playmaking option for the Eagles as they continue to retool the offense. Where he fits in an already young and crowded WR room is another conversation.
Zach Pascal LOST HIM with the route ‼️ @ZachPascal6 @Colts pic.twitter.com/joXjTcKAil
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) October 4, 2020
Xavier Rhodes, CB, Unrestricted FA
Rhodes was selected to two Pro Bowls under new Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon before his play started to decline. After being cut by the Vikings following his subpar 2019 season, Rhodes reunited with Gannon when he signed a one-year deal with the Colts. Rhodes enjoyed a bounce-back season in 2020, only allowing a 52.4% completion percentage when targeted and an 84.6 passer rating. The Eagles defense allowed the 5th-highest passer rating last season:
- Detroit: 112.4
- Houston: 109.6
- Jacksonville: 105.6
- New York Jets: 103.2
- Philadelphia: 102.4
With Darius Slay being the lone CB on the roster we can feel good about, pairing him with Rhodes would be one way to improve the secondary. Gannon played a big role in the resurgence of Rhodes:
“Xavier had a heck of a year. He really bought into what we were doing. I give Jonathan Gannon a lot of credit for that. He had a relationship with Xavier coming in from Minnesota. Xavier worked and bought into everything we were doing.”
Colts General Manager Chris Ballard
Rhodes also turns 31 in June, so the team will have to decide if they’ll be competitive enough next season to warrant spending money on an older free agent.
Xavier Rhodes has 2 INTs on Darnold 😤
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) September 27, 2020
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/awByo84ZHE