Every year, we feel like this changes. Sometimes, we measure free-agency waves in weeks. At other times, we measure them by tiers and how those in the know tout every player's value and skill set. Then, there's the angle involving the Philadelphia Eagles.
There's a difference between seeing the priority guys finding their new homes and watching the Birds move off of guys when the writing has been on the wall for a while.
Roster turnover is a part of the deal every offseason. This time, the shuffle came following a Super Bowl win which made the discussions, defections, and every new addition seem even more interesting.
Extending Zack Baun and Saquon Barkley
The votes probably don't need to be tallied or counted. Had they been, Zack Baun and Saquon Barkley would have won by landslides. The former is Philly's defensive MVP and the best addition they made on that side of the ball at this time last offseason. The latter won Offensive Player of the Year honors.
Zack Baun was the guy everyone wanted the Birds to hang on to, and to his credit, Howie Roseman got a new extension done. One day before that, we learned of Saquon Barkley's two-year extension.
The plan outside of that seems pretty straightforward. The Birds have looked to offset roster subtractions with low-risk, high-reward signings.
They've done so by trade, free-agency pickups, and by bringing familiar faces home. If you missed anything, here's a look at Philly's first week of the new year.
Returning Eagles
We have often seen the Birds fill roster holes with players they're already familiar with. They have done so again by bringing Patrick Johnson back home and by making sure Ben VanSumeren didn't go anywhere.
Fullback/Linebacker Ben VanSumeren
Versatility always increases one's value in the NFL, and this young man brings that to his Eagles family and locker room. One of the homegrown guys, he was added as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2023. He's a fullback/linebacker hybrid who adds value on special teams.
He has started two of 20 in-game appearances and has both 16 tackles on his resume and one career reception.
GRADE: C+
EDGE/Special Teams Patrick Johnson
No one will ever forget Patrick Johnson's strip-sack vs. the Baltimore Ravens that set up a game-winning field goal. That one would be even more impressive had it not come during a preseason game that had nothing to do with last season's win-loss total.
Johnson was a seventh-round draft choice added by the Birds in 2021. He appeared in 49 games with two starts resulting in 35 tackles and a forced fumble before he was waived on September 16.
He has 892 career special teams snaps on his Eagles resume, and if he survives roster cuts at the end of the preseason, that's no doubt where he'll make his money again.
GRADE: C
Players acquired by trade
Howie Roseman isn't immune to a surprise offseason trade. This time around, he made two during the first wave of free agency.
Guard Kenyon Green
Kenyon Green arrives in the City of Brotherly Love thanks to Philly's March 12th trade with the Texans. The Eagles sent a starting safety, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and a 2026 sixth-round pick to Houston and got a guard and a 2025 fifth-round pick as compensation.
Almost a week later, fans still have a hard time processing this one. Regardless of your take, you have to admit this feels like the Texans won the deal as we aren't even sure Green is any good now.
GRADE: C-
QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson
Philly sent backup quarterback Kenny Pickett to the Cleveland Browns. They received Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a 2025 fifth-round draft choice.
Swapping Pickett for DTR feels like a wash. One doesn't seem any better than the other, but we'll proclaim the Birds the winner of the trade because they gained another draft choice. Truthfully, we never thought trading Pickett would gain that much.
GRADE: B-
Players Eagles officially signed after new league year began
Running Back A.J. Dillon
As proud as we are for what Saquon Barkley accomplished last season, we're a little worried. 436 regular and postseason carries is a ton, and often when guys have run for 2,000 or more yards, there's a drop-off in their production the following season.
Still, if anyone can defy the odds, it's our main man Saquon. Howie got him some help though. A.J. Dillon is a good short-yardage back that can save Barkley some wear and tear.
A.J. is a 250-pounder, and if he's fully healthy after missing the entire 2024-25 campaign due to neck injuries, this could prove a fruitful pickup for Philadelphia.
GRADE: B
EDGE Josh Uche
Don't be shocked if Josh Uche has an enormous impact next season. Don't expect Zack Baun type of results, but look at the bright side. He can't be any worse than Bryce Huff was.
Let's hope we see the Josh Uche we saw in 2022.
GRADE: B
Cornerback Adoree' Jackson
When we think of Adoree' Jackson, we remember his pick-six vs. the Eagles a couple of seasons ago. We also can't help but think he'll be 30 at the start of the season.
Yeah... Dallas Goedert fell down there... Yes, it's true. Adoree' Jackson isn't as good now as he was a couple of years ago.
We can't promise he's better than Kelee Ringo (or vice versa), but he was one of the better free-agent cornerback options still available when Philly made the move. You can't blame them for the effort. Fingers are crossed that this one reaps some return.
GRADE: C
Long Snapper Charley Hughlett
Some of Rick Lovato's snaps at the end of his tenure here left much to be desired, so Philly went in a different direction. Sometimes, we wonder if Rick's issues could have been fixed. Well, that's water under the bridge now. Charley Hughlett appears to be the upgrade.
If Philly's staff trusts him, so do we. We'll give him a passing grade.
GRADE: B
Returner/Running Back Avery Williams
He's listed as a running back and a defensive back. All we know is when we saw him return punts via highlights, we weren't impressed by the speed.
He can return kicks and punts. We don't know much about him other than that except to say he's another low-risk, high-reward signing.
GRADE: C
Tight End Harrison Bryant
Harrison Bryant doesn't excite us other than to mention he once made the Pro Football Writers Association's All-Rookie Team in 2020. He has 98 receptions, 877 yards and ten receiving TDs on his five-year, 78-game resume.
We aren't trying to throw shade here, but if you're interested, those numbers dwarf what Grant Calcaterra has done as Dallas Goedert's replacement.
If we're being fair though, Bryant has more career offensive snaps than Grant does (2,176 vs. 1,1111). Bryant has also played two more seasons.
So, maybe this is much ado about nothing. We just thought you'd like to see some numbers.
GRADE: C
TE Kylen Granson
And, with news of another tight end signing, it's becoming more obvious that Dallas Goedert's time in Philly may be ending, but we love Dallas. Neither of these guys is as good.
Kylen Grant's career numbers: 62 in-game appearances, 17 starts, 1,562 offensive snaps (and another 622 on special teams), 136 targets, 86 receptions, 958 yards receiving, 48 trips past the first-down marker, one receiving touchdown during the 2023-24 regular season.
GRADE: C-
EDGE Azeez Ojulari
If this keeps occurring, we're going to start making jokes about the Giants being Philly's junior varsity squad. James Bradberry left Big Blue and traveled down I-95. Things didn't end how we wanted, but he earned Second-Team All-Pro honors during his first season in green.
Do we even need to bring up what transpired when they let Saquon Barkley join the nest? Let's just say that worked out pretty well. Now, Adoree' Jackson can feel comfortable knowing he already has a friend in the locker room.
Ojulari notched six sacks during the 2024 season while mostly playing in reserve duty. We're willing to offer a bold prediction right now. He'll notch at least one during two games vs. the Giants next season, and somewhere along the line, he'll add a forced fumble.
GRADE: B+
