Life is about choices (and regrets). Sometimes, we know the road leads to a dead-end and choose to travel its path anyway. Sometimes, the road leads to a fork and we're forced to make decisions on which way to turn. You probably won't think about the Philadelphia Eagles and roster-building when you read that, but that's exactly where our head has been as we reminisced recently about free agency.
Putting an NFL roster together also forces those who do so to make tough choices. They aren't certain of where decisions will lead. Fortunately, we entrust that task to Philly's GM, Howie Roseman.
Howie's been known to hit the bull's eye, but he isn't perfect. He's also missed the target entirely. The jury is out on his recent free agency haul, while it's too early to tell where this road may lead, one thing is certain. There's no way we aren't getting in the car and going along for the ride.
Is it possible the Eagles may regret the Devin White and Bryce Huff acquisitions?
Who would have thought? The Eagles really paid more than $10 million per season for an NFL running back. Now, it helps that running back is Saquon Barkley, but decisions had to be made. Was this a wise decision?
Barkley is one of the game's best players at his position when he is healthy, but there's often this fear that he may not be. Plus, in the current NFL, no one wants to invest heavily in a running back, right? As it turns out, adding Saquon was a wise decision that figures to pay off.
Give Howie and his team the gold star for that one. Give them another for Zack Baun, and while you're at it, how about some kudos for Vic Fangio who moved him from edge rusher and made him an off-ball linebacker.
No GM is perfect though, and early in the season, there are whispers about two other Eagles 2024 FA acquisitions. Philly has invested in both Bryce Huff and Devin White, and there are mixed reviews about the early returns.
Might their additions lead to some buyer's remorse? Let's take a moment and weigh both sides of the argument.
The only reasons why one might doubt Bryce Huff
The spotlight on Huff is brighter than it has ever been. Some of that is because he plays in a frenzied media market like Philly. Some of that is because he makes so much money and is being asked to replace an elite pass rusher in Haason Reddick.
Let's make something clear. Bryce Huff isn't as talented as Reddick, but he's also younger. He's gotten off to a slow start, but partnering him with Vic Fangio could still lead to favorable results.
The argument for believing in Bryce Huff
Bryce Huff is talented, overlooked but talented. Don't worry. He's kind of gotten used to that. He was part of a 2020 Jets undrafted rookie free agent class in 2020.
Hard work would eventually pay off. He'd work his way onto the roster, and in 54 games with seven starts (with one coming in Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season), he has tallied 66 tackles and 17.5 sacks on 1,333 defensive snaps and another 391 on special teams.
Huff has plenty of tread on the tire, and he was one of the more sought-after pass-rushing free agents of the most recent free agency frenzy.
The only reasons why one might doubt Devin White
Talent is one thing, but you can't teach desire and attitude. Sadly, recently questions have been asked about both when discussing the former fifth-overall selection.
White recently was benched by Tampa Bay during a playoff run. The Bucs also allowed him to walk during the most recent NFL offseason. We'd thought he'd win a starting job in Philly, but nope! He's been outplayed by Nakobe Dean and Zack Baun.
The expected starting role has been given to another, but kudos to White. He's demonstrated a team-first attitude. He says he'll be ready if his number is called, and that's good news.
The Eagles could do much worse than having a former first-rounder as a backup option.
The argument for believing in Devin White
We know Devin White has some ability. That's the thing. We know this because we have seen it. In 2019, he was named to the Pro Football Writers Association's All-Rookie Team.
In 2020, he was named a Second-Team All-Pro, and in 2021 he earned a spot on the Pro Bowl roster. In Super Bowl LV, he was one of the best players on the field.
He's been given up on by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Some of Philly's fans have done the same, but even though he's been passed on the depth chart by a couple of teammates, we'd never question the moxy of a competitor, especially one with this level of talent who is currently playing on a prove-it deal.
we're headed either way, but there's no way we aren't jumping in and enjoying the ride. That's probably how the Philadelphia Eagles felt with some of their roster additions.
