An argument for and against Philadelphia Eagles adding Yannick Ngakoue

Here’s the argument for leaving Ngakoue right where he is.

Just throw on your imaginary general manager cap for a second. Jacksonville just used the franchise tag on Ngakoue. That means Philly’s only way of landing him is to trade for him (or they can wait until the current season ends and spend a bunch of money on him during the free agency’s signing period in 2021).

Had he not been franchised, Ngakoue would have been one of the biggest names in the free-agency pool at the defensive end position. He figures to be equally as sought after in 2021 if the ‘Birds’ choose to wait. Though that does nothing to help them win in 2020, it makes more sense financially, and it means the Eagles give up less to get him.

We’re talking draft compensation here. He has a chance to earn more than the $17.7 million the Jags are going to pay him if he hits the open market. He could get quarterback-type money, and that may be a turnoff to the Eagles, who already have so much money tied up in their defensive line already.