Grading the Eagles 2019 offseason: Howie Roseman paints another masterpiece
The Eagles could not have dreamed up a better 2019 offseason. Not only did GM Howie Roseman address the team’s major needs — both through the draft and free agency — but he did so without spending a lot of money or impacting Philly’s compensatory pick formula. It’s so easy to nitpick NFL teams’ moves, but I wouldn’t change one thing about the Eagles’ offseason.
Notable draft picks: OT Andre Dillard, RB Miles Sanders, WR J.J. Arcega Whiteside
Key acquisitions/re-signings: DL Malik Jackson, WR Desean Jackson, S Andrew Sendejo, CB Ronald Darby*, DT Timmy Jernigan*
Losses: WR Golden Tate, QB Nick Foles, LB Jordan Hicks, RB Jay Ajayi
*Re-signed with team
Versatile defensive lineman Malik Jackson was brought in after Jacksonville let him go. He was a productive pass rusher in 2018, but the Jaguars simply couldn’t afford him. Because he was released, he was not a free agent included in the compensatory pick formula. The Eagles also added DeSean Jackson for next to nothing. Tampa Bay parted ways with the deep threat for a sixth-round pick but gave up a seventh-rounder in the process. This was basically a major free agent signing masked as a trade. The Andrew Sendejo pick could end up costing Philadelphia a compensatory pick, but if the veteran safety isn’t producing, the team can avoid that by cutting him prior to Week 10.
Roseman continued his impressive work in the draft, where he landed the best pass protector in the class, Andre Dillard, who will replace the aging Jason Peters at left tackle … eventually. The Eagles added depth in the second round with the Miles Sanders and J.J. Arcega-Whiteside picks. The latter will make it easier for Philly to move on from Alshon Jeffery — my pro comparison for Arcega-Whiteside before the draft — when his cap hit jumps to $15.9 million in 2020.
To round out a fantastic offseason, the Eagles were able to bring back key contributors Ronald Darby and Timmy Jernigan on cheap deals. Philadelphia took a risk by declining Jernigan’s $13 million option for 2019, and it paid off as the defensive tackle chose to return for less money.