5 bargain free agents Eagles should target to fix their biggest needs

Julian Blackmon, safety

Say what you will about C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Philly missed him last season. Sure, we love Reed Blankenship and Sydney Brown, but they can't cover. Plus, Brown will miss the early stages of the Eagles 2024 regular season as he recovers from injury.

Julian Blackmon won't be the splash signing that someone like Kamren Curl will be (much of the Philly media and Eagles fan base is in love with Curl now). Blackmon is the real deal though.

A two-year starter at cornerback during his NCAA career, Julian spent plenty of time alternating between snaps as a single-high safety and one that plays in the box. He's also fully capable of filling in at slot corner if there's a need, and that's exactly what the Eagles are missing in their safeties.

Darnell Mooney, wide receiver

Once upon a time, Darnell Mooney was a WR1. That didn't work out that well. He was moved to the WR2 position this season after the Chicago Bears scooped D.J. Moore. That didn't work either.

Some of that was the result of playing an offense that didn't trust its quarterback to throw the ball. Welcome to a very intriguing discussion.

Mooney stacked 1,000 yards in his second season (2021). He hasn't come close to repeating that feat since, but he's also dealt with injuries.

It's for that reason that he'll be less expensive than Marquise 'Hollywood' Brown and Calvin Ridley, which may or may not be a good thing. Remember... You sometimes get what you paid for. Still, few create separation on deep and intermediate routes better than this guy.

Very honorable mention: Olamide Zaccheaus, wide receiver

Yep! We're going to bring this up every time we mention the Philadelphia Eagles and their needs at wide receiver. Regardless of who's out there, it's hard to find a better third wide receiver than Olamide Zaccheaus who fits what the Birds are trying to do.

He's unselfish. He makes the plays when the ball comes his way. He did what Quez Watkins couldn't do. Come of Philly! Do the right thing! Bring O.Z. back.

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