Everything is going to be okay. We know some of you are nervous. Don't be. The Philadelphia Eagles are in good hands. Jeffrey Lurie is the NFL's best owner. Howie Roseman has earned the right to do things that force us to ask questions.
We knew there would be roster turnover, The C.J. Gardner-Johnson trade sort of caught us off guard. Who else would you rather have steer this ship though?
We know some of you believe you can run a football team better than Howie can because you can balance the salary cap on the Franchise Mode in the Madden game. Trust us. We used to feel the same way when we were kids. The truth is we can't.
Still, even with that being said, we'll still throw on our general manager caps and offer unsolicited advice. Two days of legal tampering have come and gone, and there are still intriguing free agents available.
Must read: Under-the-radar, mid-round defensive linemen worth adding to Eagles draft board
Best remaining defensive free agents for the Eagles to consider
Well, this Philadelphia Eagles defense that dismantled the mighty Kansas City Chiefs is going to look much different next season. There's been some turnover, but again we expected that. We are fully confident in Howie Roseman's plan... whatever it is.
Some exciting names are sitting on a list of free agents who are still available. There are diamonds in the rough sitting right under the Birds' noses. If they're interested, all they have to do is sniff.
Azeez Ojulari, edge rusher, 25 years old
At the time of this story's release, Von Miller and Za'Darius Smith are still available, and there's only one reason they are.... age. Joey Bosa has signed with the Buffalo Bills.
We've seen a few glimpses of Azeez Ojulari as he's played for the rival New York Giants since 2021.
He has collected 22 sacks so far in his career. As a member of this Eagles squad, he could truly blossom.
Dennis Gardeck, edge rusher, 30 years old
Dennis Gardeck's name isn't going to pop off the page, but he's a baller with a motor. He'd also be less expensive than guys like Matthew Judon, Dante Folwer, and DeMarcus Lawrence.
Josh Uche, edge rusher. 26 years old (SIGNS A ONE-YEAR DEAL WITH PHILADELPHIA)
Josh Uche spent some time with the Super Bowl-runner-up Chiefs after spending four seasons and the first eight weeks of the most recent NFL season with the New England Patriots.
Now, he is on the move again.
There's a lot to like here. He didn't get much done with the Chiefs as a situational pass rusher, but boasts 20.5 sacks since entering the league in 2020.
Update: This is a nice low-risk signing for Philly. Josh Uche joins the Eagles on a one-year deal.
Levi Onwuzurike, defensive interior, 27 years old (RE-SIGNED WITH DETROIT LIONS)
The interior defensive linemen are being acquired quickly. This one might cost Philly more than they are willing to spend. If he is off the books, we have a few backup options though.
Update: Onwuzurike will remain in the Motor City for one more season after signing for $5.5 million.
Maliek Collins, defensive interior, 29 years old (SIGNING WITH BROWNS)
Maliek Collins is knocking on 30's door. He reaches that plateau in April, but there's still some tread on the tire. The 49ers are expected to release him, and he figures to land on his feet somewhere.
Update: Collins will join the newly-minted Myles Garrett in Cleveland after signing a two-year deal with the Browns.
Larry Ogunjobi, defensive interior, 30 years old (UPDATE: SIGNING WITH BILLS
Larry Ogunjobi is already 30. He turns 31 this summer, but he has proven himself worthy on a continued NFL career following some solid production for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
UPDATE: Per Ian Rapoport, the Bills also add Larry Ogunjobi after reportedly snagging Joey Bosa.
Greg Gaines, defensive interior, 28 years old (UPDATE: RE-SIGNING WITH BUCS
He isn't the owner of one of the more exciting names on this list, but Birds fans will love him for his workmanlike attitude.
Gaines was probably more interesting with the L.A. Rams than he was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers these past two seasons, but he's inexpensive. Add him to this Eagles rotation along the defensive interior as the fourth guy behind Moro Ojomo, and there won't be any disappointments.
Update: Greg Gaines is re-signing with Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a one-year deal
Ta'Quon Graham, defensive interior, 26 years old
Taquon Graham is a better run defender than pass rusher. He didn't register any sacks on 193 defensive snaps last season and only has one career sack to show for his four-year run with the Atlanta Falcons.
If you see him land on the Eagles' roster that would be a sign that something has gone totally wrong, but he's good enough to land on someone's preseason roster.
Tyrel Dodson, linebacker, 26 years old (UPDATE: RE-SIGNING WITH DOLPHINS)
Tyrel Dodson is great in coverage. The Miami Dolphins never asked him to do much as a pass rusher, but he proved he had some ability when given that role. He was decent with the Buffalo Bills and Seattle Seahawks.
Update: Dolphins are re-signing Tyrel Dodson per Jordan Schultz.
Elandon Roberts, linebacker, Las Vegas Raiders (RE-SIGNING WITH RAIDERS)
Roberts does just about everything well, with the exception being what he offers in pass coverage... maybe. We'll get back to you on that. Paired with what the Birds already have at the linebacker position, he could be a sleeper signing who surprises next season.
Update: He signs with the Raiders on a one-year, $3 million deal.
Kyzir White, linebacker, 28 years old (turns 29 on March 24)
Kyzir White enjoyed a respectable season in Philly (2022) then followed Jonathan Gannon to the Arizona Cardinals where he started all 28 regular-season games he appeared in and collected 227 tackles and 4.5 sacks.
Philly dished major coins to Zack Baun, but one man alone does not a second level make. Honestly, we wouldn't be opposed to a reunion.
Asante Samuel Jr., cornerback, 25 years old
The name will excite Eagles fans, but rosters typically aren't built using theories about nepotism. Asante Samuel Jr. does some things well, but if he's the Eagles best option, we'd rather Philly stick with what they have.
Mike Hinton, cornerback, 31 years old
Mike Hinton is getting a little long in the tooth, but that's also true about Stephon Gilmore, Shaquill Griffin, and Kendall Fuller. If we're being honest, if these are the choices, we'd rather Philly run with what they already have or see them draft somebody.
Justin Simmons, safety, 31 years old
A two-time Pro Bowler and four-time Second-Team All-Pro, Justin Simmons isn't what he was. This acquisition would have been more exciting had it occurred last year.
Still, even though he doesn't satisfy Philly's desire to get less expensive or younger, he might be an upgrade over C.J. Gardner-Johnson if the Eagles are interested.
While it seems to be Sydney Brown time, Simmons is better in coverage. Both provide support in the running game.
Here are two questions. Is there any truth to rumors of the Buffalo Bills being interested, and would Philly go as far as to pay as a safety?
Juan Thornhill, safety, 29 years old
Juan Thornhill provides another body at safety. He's also younger than other safeties who are probably in his tier. Harrison Smith is 36 years old. Justin Simmons probably won't be that Pro Bowl player again. Still, if we were Howie Roseman (which we obviously aren't), we'd only look to Juan Thornhill if there's an emergency.