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One of the most exciting times in the offseason is about to begin: that’s right, it’s time for 2017 NFL free agency. The Eagles clearly have a lot of work to do after finishing 7-9 for the second straight season. Unlike last year, the Eagles have some stability at head coach with Doug Pederson and quarterback with Carson Wentz. Speaking of the latter, the Eagles desperately need to surround their franchise passer with weapons in order to assist his development. The Eagles have a lot of roster holes to fill so free agency should be a relatively busy time for them, even if they don’t necessarily have a ton of money to spend.
This comprehensive 2017 NFL free agency primer has you covered with everything you need to know regarding this year's process.
Time and Dates
March 7 (noon ET) through March 9 - Three day window of negotiating, unofficial start of free agency: Clubs are permitted to contact, and enter into contract negotiations with, the certified agents of players who will become Unrestricted Free Agents upon the expiration of their 2015 Player Contracts at 4:00 p.m., New York time, on March 9. However, a contract cannot be executed with a new club until 4:00 p.m., New Yorktime, onMarch 9.
March 9 (4:00 PM ET) - Official start of free agency: The 2017 League Year and Free Agency period begin at 4:00 p.m., New York time. The first day of the 2017 League Year will end at 11:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 9. Clubs will receive a Personnel Notice that will include all transactions submitted to the league office during the period between 4:00 p.m., New York time, and 11:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 9.
Where can I keep track of all the rumors?
Right here at Bleeding Green Nation! Click here for the official 2017 NFL free agency Eagles rumors tracker. Bookmark that link and check back often.
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How much cap space do the Eagles have?
The Eagles have roughly $8.7 million in cap space at the timing of this post. That ranks third to last in the NFL, but the team can free up more money very soon.
Who are the Eagles' own free agents?
DT Bennie Logan
CB Nolan Carroll
OL Stefen Wisniewski
LB Stephen Tulloch
LB Najee Goode
DE Bryan Braman
RB Kenjon Barner (Restricted)
TE Trey Burton (Restricted) - Eagles reportedly used second-round tender on Burton
S Jaylen Watkins (Exclusive rights) - Eagles re-signed Watkins to a minimum, non-guaranteed one-year deal
Who should the Eagles re-sign?
The biggest decision the Eagles have to make is if they’re willing to keep starting defensive tackle Bennie Logan. He might draw offers in free agency that give him more money than the Eagles are willing to pay. Aside from him, there aren’t really any must-keep candidates. Just a lot of depth guys. Maybe the Eagles will look into bringing Nolan Carroll back on a minimum deal after letting him test free agency.
Which Eagles players could be cut/traded in order to save cap space?
Connor Barwin and Ryan Mathews are among 13 potential Eagles cap causalities.
What are the Eagles' biggest positions of need?
In a poll on BGN, 49% of Eagles fans identified wide receiver as the biggest position of need. Cornerback came in second at 35%. Then running back at 9%. Wide receiver and cornerback are the most obvious holes on Philadelphia’s roster. The Eagles have the NFL’s worst group of receivers. At cornerback, the Eagles don’t even have any proven starters under contract.
Which notable free agents are there at the Eagles' positions of need?
Rotoworld has a great list of every NFL free agent ranked by their respective position group. Here’s a look at some of the options at Philadelphia’s biggest needs.
WIDE RECEIVER
Alshon Jeffery (27)
Terrelle Pryor (27)
DeSean Jackson (30)
Michael Floyd (27)
Kenny Britt (28)
Kenny Stills (24)
Kendall Wright (27)
Pierre Garcon (30)
Brandon Marshall (33)
CORNERBACK
A.J. Bouye (25)
Stephon Gilmore (26)
Logan Ryan (26)
Dre Kirkpatrick (27)
Morris Claiborne (27)
Brandon Carr (30)
Prince Amukamara (27)
Darius Butler (31)
Who do Eagles fans want in free agency?
Answer: a dude who can catch a freaking football! Seriously, though, get Carson Wentz some weapons ASAP. That’s what the Eagles need to do in free agency. He needs some proven receivers.
How does the 2017 NFL Draft factor into free agency plans?
This year’s draft class is supposedly loaded at cornerback. Speaking at the NFL Combine last week, Howie Roseman hinted the team might have to head into the draft bare at the cornerback spot. It doesn’t sound like the Eagles plan to spend big money at that spot, especially after being burned by big money guys like Nnamdi Asomugha and Byron Maxwell in the past.
At wide receiver, the Eagles need to get some proven players (as I said above). That doesn’t mean the can’t draft some pass catcher(s), but it does mean they can solely rely on rookie(s) to be reliable options for Wentz. They have to sign at least one receiver, and hopefully even more than that.
Anything else?
As always, BGN will have full coverage of this year's free agency period. Stay tuned to this site for every rumor, report, update, signing, trade, etc. The news will happen fast, so check back often. It should be a fun off-season for the Philadelphia Eagles. Let's spend it together!