ESPN.com Grades the Eagles Free Agent Signing of Haason Reddick

The Eagles first foray into the NFL free agent market is getting positive reviews.

The addition of pass rusher Haason Reddick is exactly what the Eagles were lacking in 2021, an edge rusher who has been one of the best at getting to the quarterback over the past two seasons, ranking as the fifth best sack artist in the NFL during that time span.

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Last offseason he hit the open market and was somewhat of a surprise, landing in Carolina on just a one-year deal after registering a 72.8 overall grade PFF graded for his 12.5 sacks, 20 tackles for loss, 56 QB pressures and six forced fumbles in 2020 for Arizona.

Carolina signed him one a one-year, $6 million deal and he followed up his 12.5 sack season by racking up 11 more.

Now a free agent again, he got 3-years and $45 million from the Philadelphia Eagles, ESPN.com NFL writer Kevin Seifert gives the Eagles an A- for the signing.

Not everyone thought Reddick was a premium pass-rusher when he came out of nowhere to record 12.5 sacks for the Cardinals in 2020, so he went to Carolina on a one-year deal to prove that he was. He did, compiling 11 sacks in 16 games. His 23.5 sacks over the past two seasons ranks No. 5 in the NFL over that period, and he did it in 728 pass-rushing snaps -- fewer than anyone ahead of him on the list.

From this perspective, the Panthers made a big mistake in not figuring out a way to keep him. He'll be 27 when the season begins and projects to have several more high-end years remaining ahead of him. The Eagles were smart to jump in, and the $30 million in full guarantees that come with this deal should be viewed as a quite reasonable byproduct of signing a pass-rusher on the open market. This is a great development -- and a strong deal -- for Philadelphia.

So the Eagles have landed their pass rusher, what does it mean for the upcoming NFL Draft, where they own three first-round picks and their should be plenty of edge rushing options on the board when its their turn to make a pick.

Here is what ESPN.com NFL Draft analyst Jordan Reid thinks:

Following the departure of Derek Barnett, the Eagles have found a new running mate alongside Josh Sweat in Reddick. With three first-round picks, the options for Howie Roseman remain wide open. Still needing help at wide receiver and cornerback, the Eagles continuing to address edge rusher isn't out of the question either. Florida State's Jermaine Johnson II and George Karlaftis of Purdue are two names who could be in play with any of Philadelphia's picks during the first day of the draft.

I think adding another edge rusher is still a big possibility, but don't discount them looking to find an interior defensive lineman to replace Fletcher Cox who is getting older and been the subject of some trade talks.