Top 7 best remaining players for the Eagles in 2017 NFL Free Agency

The Eagles have been quiet in 2017 NFL free agency so far after making three signings on the first day. Part of the reason Philadelphia has been so inactive is the fact they have the fewest cap space in the league with a little over $3 million (per Over The Cap). The Eagles can still free up a significant amount of cap space through trades (Chase Daniel, Jason Kelce, Mychal Kendricks) and some obvious cuts (Ron Brooks, Ryan Mathews). The Eagles still have some holes to fill, so here’s a look at some available bargain free agents who might make sense for Philadelphia.

CB Kayvon Webster

I never really bought the hype about the Eagles being seriously interested in A.J. Bouye. He wasn’t the kind of cornerback who made sense for them from a money perspective. I do very much buy the Eagles’ rumored interest in Webster, though. The 26-year-old defensive back was the Broncos’ special teams captain. He’d be a good addition to Dave Fipp’s unit. In addition, he could offer some upside as a potential starter. The 2013 third-round pick is stuck behind some good corners in Denver. Webster has familiarity with Eagles’ defensive backs coach Cory Undlin so that could help lure him to Philadelphia.

DT Johnathan Hankins

Another player the Eagles have reportedly shown interest in. To be more specific, the Eagles have reportedly shown “lots of love” to Hankins. It’s not hard to see why. The Eagles have a big need at defensive tackle if they don’t keep Bennie Logan. Hankins is three years younger than Logan and has nearly double the amount of career sacks despite playing a few less games. Based on those facts, it would seem Hankins will be more expensive than Logan. But if the two players are similarly priced due to an inactive defensive tackle market, then Hankins could be the better option.

DT Bennie Logan

Logan reportedly visited Washington recently but left without a deal. Logan is also reportedly seeking one-year deals, which should tell you that his market isn’t going so great. The longer Logan is out there in free agency, the lower his price should be. Maybe returning to the Eagles on a one-year contract is his best option. That would also allow Philadelphia to draft his replacement for when he likely leaves for good next offseason. This situation happened with Nate Allen and Nolan Carroll in past years. Neither player got the money they wanted in free agency at first so they came back to the Eagles on a cheap deal and then found the money they wanted the next offseason.

CB Morris Claiborne

Wait, Mo Claiborne? A Cowboys player? And wasn’t this guy a bust? It’s true: Claiborne hasn’t lived up to the hype of being the No. 6 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. But he’s turned his career around at least a little bit after struggling mightily early on. Claiborne had his best season last year. He ranked 12th out of 112 cornerbacks graded by Pro Football Focus, for what it’s worth.

Claiborne wouldn’t be a guy the Eagles should give significant money, but he could be an interesting one-year option. Philadelphia would be bringing him in to compete with the rookies the Eagles draft. Much like the Warmack and Jeffery signings, Claiborne would have a chance to “prove it” in 2017 and then hit the market again next offseason. He’s only 27 so he could theoretically play his way into being more than a stop-gap option for the Eagles.

CB Nickell Robey-Coleman

How about a nickel cornerback named Nickell? Robey-Coleman played under Jim Schwartz in Buffalo for a year so there’s familiarity here. Robey-Coleman wasn’t a stud for the Bills, clearly, but some fans were a little surprised the team cut him. If the Eagles don’t bring Ron Brooks back, which is reportedly likely, they could look to replace him with another Bills cornerback. That’s kinda cold.

CB Patrick Robinson

The Eagles reportedly had interest in Robinson last offseason before he signed with the Colts. The former first round pick started six games for Indianapolis last season while battling through injuries. He turns 30 in September so he’s the kind of “band aid” player Howie Roseman said the Eagles are looking to avoid.

RB Eddie Lacy

I’d love for the Eagles to show some interest in Fat Eddie Lacy, as I wrote about last week, but it doesn’t seem like he’s on their radar. I feel like the Eagles should sign a very cheap free agent running back. Dave Mangels suggested Benny Cunningham, but I don’t feel strongly about anyone out there except Eddie. Jamaal Charles intrigues me but he might be too old for what the Eagles want to do. Philadelphia might just be better off waiting to find their next lead rusher in the 2017 NFL Draft.

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Any names I’m missing here? Who do you want the Eagles to sign? Let me know in the comments below.