Eagles Free Agency: Grading Saquon Barkley, C.J. Gardner-Johnson Signings
PHILADELPHIA – Freed from the tight salary-cap constraints of last year, when Howie Roseman could nothing more than watch key players leave in free agency only to be replaced by a slew of others on one-year deals, the Philadelphia Eagles general manager was back to his gunslinging ways this week.
He remade this roster more than at any time in recent memory and gave three of the six players he signed multiyear deals.
Those three are running back Saquon Barkley, defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and edge rusher/linebacker Bryce Huff. Those three each got three-year contracts.
Not only did Roseman do some serious shopping, but he also took care of five of his own players.
Here is a recap of what has, so far, been a busy week for Roseman and the Eagles:
Saquon Barkley
@saquon - Instagram
OFFENSE (free agents)
Saquon Barkley, RB. The contract isn’t as bad as some may have originally thought. It’s basically a two-year deal then we’ll see. His cap charge for this season is just $3.9 million. This and the player could make the Eagles’ offense dangerous again.
He is the plum of the class and was the first player the Eagles announced they were signing when they were allowed to do so at 4 p.m. on Wednesday.
Contract: 3 years, $37.75M
Grade: B+
DeVante Parker, WR. The latest shot at finding a third receiver, descending from the line of previous one-year hopefuls Zach Pascal and Olamide Zaccheaus. Parker is 31 and has been ranked dead last among all receivers in terms of separation the previous four seasons, per Next Gen Stats.
Contract: The Eagles are paying just $1.2 million of the $4.7M with the New England Patriots picking up the rest. It’s a one-year deal.
Grade: C
Matt Hennessy. I liked him coming out of Temple. He was drafted in 2020 by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round but battled injuries in his first three years. He missed all of last season with a knee injury. In 2021, he started all 17 games for the Falcons at center but played some guard in his other seasons. He brings interior line depth, but his health is a concern.
Contract: One year, $2M
Grade: B (if he’s healthy)
DEFENSE (free agents)
Chauncey ‘C.J.’ Gardner-Johnson, DB. Parting was such sweet sorrow for both the versatile defensive back and Roseman, and contentious with the fans, who Gardner-Johnson ripped last summer. Roseman wanted him back but couldn’t find the money to appease CJGJ, so the DB left for a one-year deal with the Detroit Lions.
He can play slot or safety and figures to be an even bigger playmaker than he already is in defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and the Eagles.
Contract: Three years, $33M
Grade: A
Bryce Huff, edge/linebacker. The undrafted free agent from 2020 cashed in on one year’s worth of high-end production as a pass rusher. As a run defender, not so much. Still, just 25 the questions are: can he keep developing his pass-rush technique and will he ever be god enough to play all three downs?
Contract: Three years, $51M
Grade: B-
Zach Baun, LB. A former third-round pick, Baun excels on special teams. Can he insert himself into the conversation for defensive snaps? The Eagles can hope.
Contract: One year, $1.2M
Grade: B
TAKING CARE OF THEIR OWN
Landon Dickerson, OL. The guard market exploded in this free agency period, so the Eagles were wise to lock up their second-round pick (37th overall) in 2021 to a long-term deal.
Contract: Four years, $84M
Grade: A
Brandon Graham, DL. Graham isn’t the same player he was earlier in his career. Still, his leadership plays well in the locker room for a group of defensive linemen much younger than he is now.
Contract: One year, $4M
Grade: B+
Jake Elliott, K. This is a no-brainer. Age doesn’t matter with kickers, so giving their new record holder for field goal percentage (93.8 percent) at 29 was a smart move. He is one of the league’s best kickers, certainly in the top five.
Contract: Four years, $24M
Grade: A+
Braden Mann, P. Mann found a home after being claimed off waivers to replace Arryn Siposs and he had a strong season.
Contract: Two years, $4.2M
Grade: A
Rick Lovato, LS: He was making sandwiches in his family’s hoagie shop in New Jersey when his break arrived, joining the Eagles in 2017 and never looking back.
Contract: One year, $1.2M
Grade: A
Albert Okwuegbunam, TE: Maybe new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore will try to use him, something last year’s staff seemed hesitant to do.
Contract: One year, $1.4M
Grade: C
