Bring back or leave be: six unsigned Eagles free agents
As the dust settles on free agency, some players are still looking for their next team. Front offices are now shifting their focus to the draft to address the rest of their roster needs, but there is always a wave of free agents picked up immediately following. There are currently six former Eagles who remain unsigned ahead of the draft. Should the Eagles entertain bringing any of them back?
Jason Peters, LT
Peters will forever be a legend in this city, but the Eagles should’ve left this one alone years ago. Instead, they brought Peters back last season to play guard (a position he’s never played before) in the midst of the Brandon Brooks injury. He then held the team for ransom when they needed Peters to move back to left tackle, got paid, and played the worst football of his career.
The 39-year-old claims that he still has a lot left to give to a team but the 8 sacks he allowed last season would suggest otherwise. With Jordan Mailata and Andre Dillard waiting in the wings at tackle, the Eagles have a few young options moving forward.
Verdict: Leave be
Jason Peters allowed 3 sacks, 3 hits and 7 pressures yesterday.
— Victor Williams (@ThePhillyPod) November 23, 2020
Dude got thrashed all game long. pic.twitter.com/qXwj0DVhug
Corey Clement, RB
The former Super Bowl hero never regained his form last season. Primarily backing up Miles Sanders & Boston Scott, Clement averaged just 3.6 yards/carry while only seeing 10% of the snaps on offense. With the addition of Jordan Howard last week and Boston Scott resigning, there isn’t a place for Clement in a crowded running back room.
Verdict: Leave be
Cre’Von LeBlanc, CB
The nickel corner injured his ankle in Week 11 of last season but Leblanc has become a fan favorite with the Eagles over recent years. LeBlanc finished the 2018 season allowing just 1.02 yards per coverage snap, 10th best in the league. His play that season earned him a contract extension the following year but he’s only appeared in 13 games over the last two seasons. When healthy, however, Strap would bring much-needed energy to compete with an underwhelming CB group.
Verdict: Bring back
Cre’von LeBlanc is the highest-graded cornerback this postseason pic.twitter.com/o7lob7A6GM
— PFF (@PFF) January 23, 2019
Richard Rodgers, TE
Rodgers quietly recorded a career-high in yards/catch last season at 14.4 and had 345 receiving yards, the second-most in his career. Dick Rod was reliable for the Eagles down the stretch amongst the myriad of injuries and would be a familiar TE2 when Ertz’ inevitably leaves.
Verdict: Bring back
Wentz finds Richard Rodgers for the TD
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) November 22, 2020
Eagles and Browns are tied at 7.
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/nOCJdgFURf
Nickell Robey-Coleman, CB
The slot corner was signed to a $1.3M contract last season and didn’t even live up to that contract. Robey-Coleman allowed 78.8% of passes to be completed and a 125.2 passer rating when targeted last season. He didn’t resemble anything close to what he was with the Rams and the Eagles are better off finding cornerback talent in the draft.
Verdict: Leave be
Josh Perkins, TE
Perkins was originally a restricted free agent but wasn’t tendered by the Eagles, so he’s currently able to sign with any team. It looks like his touchdown catch against the Giants at the end of the 2019 season will be his most memorable play as an Eagle.
Verdict: Leave be
Wentz rolls out and Perkins makes the defense pay!#PHIvsNYG | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/92BeIV73LA
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 29, 2019
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