Philadelphia Eagles best and worst free agent options by position
Defensive tackle
55. . . . Best option: Javon Hargrave. . player
Honorable mention: D.J. Reader (Yes we know both played in a 3-4)
There are some nice options at the defensive tackle position if you’re looking for one in free agency. Malik Jackson should be back in 2020, but the ‘Birds’ still need somebody to spell both him and Fletcher Cox from time to time. As good as ‘Fletch’ has been, he’s no longer the game’s second-best defensive tackle behind Aaron Donald. is no longer the case. That designation now belongs to Chris Jones.
When this story was originally published, the theory was the Eagles should exhaust every option to get Jones in a green jersey. Well, you know how quickly things change in the NFL. Ian Rapoport has since reported he’ll be franchised by the Kansas City Chiefs.
With that being said, D.J. Reader is one of the best nose tackles in the NFL, and he normally plays in the 3-4 scheme, but might there be any way that Philly can move him a foot or so to the right or left and get good production? He’s a stud versus the run.
Throw Javon Hargrave in the conversation as well. Like Reader, he’s played in the 3-4 scheme, but with his ability to rush the passer and stuff the run the hope is Philly could add him and make him part of a nice rotation at defensive tackle.
. . Worst option: Timmy Jernigan. . player. 54.
Dishonorable mention: Tyeler Davison
Face it Eagles fans. Timmy Jernigan is never going to be the guy that he once was again, and that’s unfortunate because he was a monster before that back surgery.
The long and the short of it is this. Philly doesn’t need him back for a third stint. Tyeler Davison is a solid run-plugger, but he isn’t going to offer anyone anything from a pass-rushing perspective.