ESPN’s Top 50 Free Agent List Has Two Fits for Philadelphia Eagles

It’s not a secret that the Philadelphia Eagles need to add pieces to their defense and find a veteran wide receiver this offseason.

With the team holding three first-round pick, they can certainly go that route. However, you can expect Eagles general manager Howie Roseman to be active when NFL free agency begins on March 16.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Matt Bowen took at the Top 50 NFL free agents this offseason and took a look at best free-agent fits from around the NFL, with New Orleans Saints safety Marcus Williams helping out Jonathan Gannon's defense.

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Frmo Jeremy Fowler:

Williams will have several options as a high-level free safety with 15 interceptions and 38 pass deflections in five seasons. The Eagles' safety unit is in transition, and the team could be willing to outbid the Saints and others.

Last season with the Saints, Williams had 74 tackles, two interceptions and eight passes defensed over a full season of work. Williams is expected to ask for a deal in the $16 million per year range, which would make him one of the highest paid safeties in the NFL.

It would be an obvious upgrade at the position for Philadelphia, who could lose both starting safeties, Anthony Harris and Rodney McLeod this offseason.

From Matt Bowen:

Williams is a fit for Jonathan Gannon's defensive scheme as a post or quarters defender who has elite range -- and the ball skills to make plays down the field.

Marcus Epps and K'Von Wallace, are two young safeties that are on the roster still.

Another player the ESPN writer think would be a good fit in Philadelphia is Pittsburgh wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster.

From Fowler:

Smith-Schuster seems destined to leave Pittsburgh. The Chiefs were interested a year ago and could circle back. Smith-Schuster has battled knee and shoulder issues, but when healthy, he can make tough catches over the middle and is a strong blocker -- which would help Eagles coach Nick Sirianni's run-heavy attack.

The Eagles could definitely use a veteran wide out to help the receiving core and quarterback Jalen Hurts. A shoulder injury limited him to five games, but at just 26-years old, he is an attractive young veteran option for the Eagles offense and could be had on a Howie Roseman special, prove it type of deal.

So how would he fit in to the Eagles offense?

From Matt Bowen:

The Eagles have speed and vertical ability in the wide receiver room, but they are lacking a slot target with physical traits. Smith-Schuster is more explosive than you think, with the catch-and-run ability to work as a big slot in Sirianni's offense.

Smith-Schuster had 15 catches for 129 yards in just five games this season, and hasn't cracked the 1,000 yard barrier since notching 1,426 yards and seven scores in the 2018 season.