Free agency isn’t always about headline names or splashy contracts. Sometimes, it’s about filling holes, and the Philadelphia Eagles will certainly need to fill several in the wake of roster turnover that comes every offseason.
Josh Grizzard leaves the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to join the Eagles as their new pass game coordinator, and as thoughts like those are typically followed by others. Might there be any impending free agents from the Bucs‘ roster that would also be interested in a change of scenery?
Familiarity, fit, and value are weighed during free agency every offseason. With Coach Grizzard now in the building, the Eagles suddenly have a natural scouting lens pointed toward Tampa Bay.
That connection could open a door. The Eagles could find sneaky value in the Buccaneers‘ free-agent class. Plus, the offensive players here would be familiar with the type of stuff the new passing game coordinator, Josh Grizzard, would like to implement. Just for kicks, though, our shopping list includes some guys who play on the other side of the ball.
Cornerbacks Jamel Dean and Kindle Vildor
The moment Jamel Dean walked into the NovaCare Complex, he’d be the best cornerback not named Quinyon Mitchell or Cooper DeJean. He has to be mentioned on a shopping list, but this one is probably a fantasy. He doesn’t fit the bill of ‘bargain signings’.
Spotrac lists his market value at $12.5 million per season, which is most certainly out of the Eagles’ price range if accurate, so we’ll take Kindle Vildor as a backup. The only problem is that the latter is five-foot-ten and probably, at best, grades out as a backup slot guy on this defense, though Tampa’s depth chart lists him as a backup outside corner.
Wide Receiver Sterling Shepard
Shepard was targeted 32 times in 2024. He hauled in 39 receptions last season. He notched 334 yards and 371 yards, respectively. Let’s be honest. The Eagles would be fine with that type of production because that’s probably all he’s going to get in this offense anyway.
Interior offensive lineman Dan Feeney
Dan Feeney is a little long in the tooth. He turns 32 years old in May, but when he needed to play last season, he appeared in 12 games. He started ten, and all things considered, he held up pretty well. In 2017, he was named to the PFWA NFL All-Rookie Team.
The good news is that he isn’t needed to start and can play both center and guard. He’s a nice depth option should Cam Jurgens and/or Landon Dickerson struggle with injuries again.
Defensive Lineman Logan Hall
Logan Hall, as an entity in and of himself, isn’t really someone the Eagles contingent is going to gush over. Logan Hall added to what the Eagles already have on defense could be pretty special.
He isn’t as good as Moro Ojomo or Jalyx Hunt, but we’d rank him ahead of Josh Uche and Azeez Ojulari. He could be someone that the Eagles would want to take a look at.
Tight End Cade Otton
Cade Otton only makes sense if the Eagles move on from Dallas Goedert because there’s no way in heck Philadelphia is paying both players. The Eagles’ top three tight ends from last season are all slated to hit the open market, so the Birds will want to keep a running tally of everyone available.
Otton ranked second on Tampa’s offense in targets (81), receptions (59), and yards receiving (572). He caught one TD pass.
Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater
Here’s a veteran presence that everyone loves working with. After seeing the Eagles acquire Marcus Mariota, Kenny Pickett, and Sam Howell, the mind begins to wander. Heck… Why not sign Teddy Bridgewater?
His career record is above .500 (33-32). He’s been around the block a few times, and if the Eagles do trade Tanner McKee, Bridgewater would provide the easy and competent backup. He’d also be great in helping Jalen Hurts’ preparation.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Buccaneers free agents who could follow Josh Grizzard to the Eagles