Philadelphia Eagles News & Rumors

NFL Draft Rumors: Cowboys, McCarthy, Robinson

The Cowboys hosted a number of 2024 NFL Draft prospects for “top 30” visits this week. The visiting group included potential first-round targets like Taliese Fuaga, Graham Barton, and Darius Robinson as well as projected Day 2 selection Junior Colson.

Fuaga, an offensive tackle out of Oregon State, and Barton, a projected interior offensive lineman out of Duke, make sense considering the Cowboys’ losses on offensive line this offseason of Tyron Smith and Tyler Biadasz. If Fuaga is able to start, this would allow Dallas to keep Tyler Smith at guard, where he earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2023. In order to land Fuaga, though, the Cowboys would likely have to trade up earlier into the first round. Barton played left tackle for the Blue Devils for the last couple of years, but his early college film at center shows the versatility that he could bring at the NFL level.

Robinson, a defensive end out of Missouri, feels like the typical Cowboys pass rusher selection and adds depth to a position that saw Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler follow former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn to Washington. A bigger defensive end, Robinson could provide some versatility across the defensive line and may be available long enough for the Cowboys to trade back to collect some extra picks and still select him. Colson, a linebacker out of Michigan, would be a nice addition to a position that could use some attention with Micah Parsons spending more time at end. While he’s likely a second- or third-round pick, he’s worth note as he’s expected to be the first linebacker off the board.

Here are a couple of other rumors making the rounds in the weeks leading up to this month’s draft:

  • We have seen the draft stock of Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy soaring over the last few weeks. Once considered a tier-two quarterback behind Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Jayden Daniels, the polarizing McCarthy has somehow found himself in consideration for the No. 2 overall draft selection. While his stock continues to inflate, Pro Football Network’s Adam Caplan pointed out some of the red flags that have some scouts feeling less than confident about the former Wolverine. McCarthy has been compared to former Steelers’ first-round pick Kenny Pickett “due to his inability to drive the ball down the field.” His strong sense of timing made up for a lack of arm strength in college, but some worry that it will prevent him from being able to make some throws at the NFL level. While he’s almost guaranteed to be a first-round pick due to the top-heavy nature of the position this year, many don’t have a first-round grade on McCarthy.
  • Chop Robinson is set to be the next pass rusher out of Penn State to be selected in the first round. The projected Day 1 edge rusher had already taken visits with the Eagles, Ravens, and Saints, but Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz informs us that visits with the Giants and Jets were scheduled for this past week, as well. Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 adds that the Texans have Robinson firmly on their radar after meeting with him at the NFL scouting combine.

Eagles To Extend LT Jordan Mailata

The Howie Roseman-era Eagles have been known to act early on offensive line contracts. This offseason has brought more work in that direction. After a record-setting Landon Dickerson extension, the team has an agreement in place with Jordan Mailata.

Already signed to an extension, Mailata now has a more lucrative deal coming his way. The Eagles are giving their veteran left tackle a three-year, $66MM deal, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter reports. Mailata’s new contract will include $48MM guaranteed. This continues one of the NFL’s more remarkable success stories, as Mailata is a former seventh-round pick who transitioned from rugby.

This provides a nice raise for Mailata, who was tied to a four-year, $64MM extension signed back in 2021. This new pact places Mailata in the top five among earners at his position. In terms of AAV, only Laremy Tunsil, Andrew Thomas and Trent Williams surpass this contract. Considering the Eagles have Dickerson at a now-guard-record $21MM per year, this marks a tremendous commitment on a line that still houses stalwart right tackle Lane Johnson.

The Eagles extended Dickerson early in his first year of eligibility, but Mailata had two seasons left on his previous contract. That deal no longer included any guarantees, and the Eagles have seen Mailata become a high-level left tackle since giving him the blindside job. Pro Football Focus graded Mailata as the No. 3 overall tackle last season, viewing his pass- and run-blocking numbers as among the best. Over the past three years, Mailata has landed in the advanced metrics site’s top 10 at the position.

In each of the past two seasons, ESPN’s run block win rate metric has ranked Mailata second. Last year, the Eagles’ tackles ranked first and second in this area. Although Jason Kelce‘s retirement brings a new challenge for the Eagles, their offensive line will present Saquon Barkley with a wildly improved setup compared to the lines he ran behind as a Giant. The Eagles are paying up for it as well and doing so despite having Jalen Hurts in the $50MM-AAV club.

Mailata’s ascent doubles as one of the most unlikely in NFL history. The Eagles took a flier on the 6-foot-8 Australian in the 2018 seventh round, and the rugby convert sat for two full seasons developing behind Jason Peters. While the team traded up to make Andre Dillard their Jason Peters heir apparent in the 2019 first round, Mailata instead proved readier for the gig. The 365-pound tackle did not play in 2018 or ’19, spending the latter season on IR. When Peters went down early during the 2020 season, Mailata stepped in and began his climb to this point. The Eagles turned Dillard into a swing tackle and let him walk in 2023.

Despite being in the NFL for six seasons, Mailata only turned 27 last month. The ascending tackle should have a chunk of his prime remaining on this third contract. The Eagles now have three blockers tied to $20MM-AAV deals, representing new territory for O-line investments. Johnson remains attached to a $20MM-per-year extension he agreed to in 2023. The Eagles are proponents of void years, using four on Mailata’s previous deal. It would seem likely, given the team’s expenses on an offense that also includes upper-crust deals for A.J. Brown and Dallas Goedert — that more voids are present in this contract.

Having seen the likes of Peters, Kelce, Isaac Seumalo and Brandon Brooks depart, the Eagles have successfully reloaded. While Johnson remains the senior presence up front, the Eagles finding Mailata and Dickerson has been integral to their Hurts-era success. Beyond Johnson, Mailata is the Eagles’ oldest O-line starter.

Eagles To Bring Back CB Avonte Maddox

Roughly one month ago, the Eagles released Avonte Maddox in a cost-shedding move. That decision came with the prospect of a reunion later in the offseason, something which has now come to pass. The veteran corner has agreed to a new, one-year Philadelphia deal, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.

Maddox – whom Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.football notes visited the Saints as a free agent – was on the books for the 2024 season before he was cut, but he was due to carry a cap charge of $9.68MM. That figure helped inform the Eagles’ decision to at least temporarily move on, but reports indicated the parties could work out a new arrangement at a lower cost. Given today’s news, that has no doubt taken place.

The 28-year-old has 64 games and 38 starts to his name, all with the Eagles. Maddox has proven himself to be a capable contributor in the slot when on the field, but injuries have been an issue during each of the past two seasons. In 2023, a torn pectoral muscle forced him onto injured reserve and limited him to just four regular season contests. Maddox will now be able to compete for a starting role during training camp, but at a minimum he could serve as an experienced backup.

The Eagles entered Thursday in better cap shape than most other teams around the NFL. With over $31MM in available funds, the team could easily have afforded bringing Maddox back in addition to a lucrative move on the free agent market. Of course, the team has already been active in the secondary by bringing back C.J. Gardner-Johnson on a three-year deal. The latter could step in as a safety or slot corner after the team recently extended Reed Blankenship.

Improvements in the secondary were seen as a priority for the Eagles after the team’s defense played a key role in their late-season collapse. It came as little surprise when trade acquisition Kevin Byard was released, but veteran corners Darius Slay and James Bradberry are still in place as cornerback starters. The upcoming draft will provide Philadelphia with the opportunity to add young options at that spot, but Maddox will be in the fold for at least one more season.

Jets’ Haason Reddick Addresses Trade From Eagles

Haason Reddick was the subject of trade speculation leading up to free agency. When the Eagles inked Bryce Huff to a lucrative deal, signs increasingly pointed to Reddick playing out the remainder of his contract with a new team.

That was confirmed last week when the Jets acquired Reddick for a conditional 2026 draft pick. The value of that selection (a third-round pick which can become a second-rounder) will depend on the 29-year-old’s playing time and sack production, but expectations will be high for both he and the Jets in 2024. Reddick spoke about the deal during an introductory press conference.

“I believe I have a lot left in the tank. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be here. That’s pretty much that,” the two-time Pro Bowler said (via NFL.com). “I feel like when I don’t have any more left to give, I’ll retire. Until that point, I’m going to continue to try to play my best ball.

“As far as the Eagles go, though, it wasn’t about what [is] left in the tank or anything like that. It’s a business, and sometimes hard decisions have got to be made, even if you don’t like them.”

Reddick was granted permission to seek a trade, but he quickly clarified his desire to remain with the Eagles on a new deal. No agreement on an extension could be worked out, though, something which furthered speculation he would be dealt and no doubt informed Philadelphia’s decision to hand Huff a deal worth just over $17MM per year. One year remains on Reddick’s pact (a three-year, $45MM agreement which gave the Eagles a top sack producer at less than market value), and it will be interesting to see if a long-term arrangement with New York can be worked out.

For the coming campaign, at least, Reddick will give the Jets an accomplished sack artist. The former first-rounder has notched between 11 and 16 sacks in each of the past four seasons, but New York will be his fourth team in the past five years. Reddick will help his free agent stock with another strong season if he proves to be a one-and-done with the Jets, but in any case his remarks confirm he intends to continue playing for years to come with New York or another team.

NFC Contract Details: Bucs, Mayfield, Eagles, Sweat, Parker, Rams, Garoppolo, Saints

Here are the details from some of the recently agreed-upon contracts around the NFC:

  • Baker Mayfield, QB (Buccaneers). Three years, $100MM. Of the $50MM in Mayfield guarantees, $40MM is fully guaranteed. The other $10MM will shift from an injury guarantee to a full guarantee on Day 5 of the 2025 league year. Mayfield can also earn $5MM per year via incentives, Fox Sports’ Greg Auman notes. Half of those are stat-based incentives. If Mayfield finishes in the top 10 in the NFL (or top five in the NFC) in passer rating, TD passes, yards, yards per attempt or completion percentage in any of the three years, he would earn $500K per category, Auman adds. The other $2.5MM per year comes through playoff incentives. Mayfield would earn $500K for a Bucs wild-card win, $750K for a divisional-round conquest and $500K for an NFC championship game win. If the Bucs are to win a Super Bowl with Mayfield at the helm, he would collect another $750K.
  • Darious Williams, CB (Rams). Three years, $22.5MM. Only $7MM of Williams’ $15MM guarantee is locked in at signing, per The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue. This contract’s key date will come on Day 5 of the 2025 league year, when the remaining $8MM will shift from an injury guarantee to a full guarantee. Barring injury, this effectively makes 2024 a “prove it” year for the now-two-time Rams CB.
  • Josh Sweat, DE (Eagles). One year, $10MM. The Eagles’ Sweat rework will bring $9.5MM guaranteed for the veteran defensive end, per OverTheCap. Philly used four void years to spread out the cap hit, which sits at $8.1MM for 2024. If Sweat signs elsewhere before this contract’s March 2025 expiration, the Eagles will be tagged with $16.4MM in dead money.
  • Cedrick Wilson, WR (Saints). Two years, $5.75MM. The Saints are guaranteeing Wilson $2.85MM, ESPN.com’s Katherine Terrell notes. The second-generation NFL wideout will be due a $200K roster bonus in 2025; none of Wilson’s ’25 salary ($2.7MM) is guaranteed.
  • Jimmy Garoppolo, QB (Rams). One year, $3.18MM. Previously reported as including $4.5MM in base value, the Rams’ Garoppolo contract (via Ben Volin of the Boston Globe) contains $3.18MM in base pay.
  • Ben Bredeson, G (Buccaneers). One year, $3MM. Bredeson’s Bucs pact includes $1.75MM guaranteed, The Athletic’s Dan Duggan tweets.
  • DeVante Parker, WR (Eagles). One year, $1.21MM. The Patriots are paying most of Parker’s deal, with $3.19MM guaranteed remaining on his 2023 extension. The Eagles are not guaranteeing the former first-rounder anything, Volin tweets. The Pats will receive a $1.98MM cap credit if Parker plays the whole 2024 season.

Eagles Extend S Reed Blankenship

3:07pm: The Eagles will give Blankenship $3.94MM fully guaranteed over the next two years, NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo tweets. Another $1.38MM is available in Pro Bowl- and playing time-based incentives. The third-year safety would receive $375K by playing 70% of the Eagles’ defensive snaps, which he did last year. That number would spike to $875K if Blankenship reaches the 90% rate; he fell short of that in 2023. The Pro Bowl component would bring a $500K bonus.

2:14pm: Reed Blankenship spent last season as a full-time safety starter for the Eagles. The team is making a move that will keep the former UDFA under contract beyond the 2024 season.

Blankenship’s rookie deal runs through 2024; he entered Monday eligible for restricted free agency next year. The Eagles reached a deal that will bypass the RFA process; the new contract runs through 2025. This will keep Blankenship signed until he is eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2026.

While the Eagles ran into considerable trouble on defense last season, Blankenship was a bright spot. He intercepted three passes, made 113 tackles (18 more than any other Eagle last season) and added 11 pass breakups. The Middle Tennessee State product finished the season ranked as Pro Football Focus’ No. 19 safety.

The Eagles saw Blankenship, a 2022 post-draft signee, become a locked-in starter after they let Super Bowl LVII regulars C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Marcus Epps walk in free agency. Despite Philly signing Terrell Edmunds and drafting Sydney Brown in Round 3, Blankenship remained a regular whom Kevin Byard joined upon being acquired before the trade deadline.

The Eagles have made some changes at safety once again. Brown went down with an ACL tear in January, and the team released Byard despite trading two draft picks for him in October. Philly turned back to Gardner-Johnson this year, giving the brash DB a three-year, $27MM deal that includes $10MM guaranteed at signing. Brown may well begin next season on the reserve/PUP list.

Blankenship, 25, was set to make $985K in base salary this season. While the Eagles’ 2022 draftees are not extension-eligible, Blankenship is due to his UDFA status. Considering this move merely shifts his RFA year — one that would have required a tender for retention — into a contract campaign, it would surprise if this was a substantial raise. But it will prevent Philly from needing to consider a second-round RFA tender in 2025. That number ballooned to $4.89MM this year, making it likely it would cost more than $5MM to use in ’25.

Draft Notes: Barton, ’30’ Visits, Wilson

The 2024 tackle class has drawn rave reviews in the lead-in to this month’s draft, but Graham Barton is among those expected to play on the inside upon entering the NFL. The Duke product has nevertheless helped his draft stock recently.

Barton was already gaining steam as a rising prospect before his Pro Day, as noted by ESPN’s Jordan Reid. He battled injuries during the 2023 season and was forced to miss the Senior Bowl as a result, but the two-time All-American managed to take part in the Blue Devils’ Pro Day last week. Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda reports Barton’s performance was highly impressive, and it secured his status as a Day 1 prospect.

Following up on the strong workout, Reid notes Barton could now work his way into the top 15 come draft night. Many NFL teams view the first-team All-ACC selection as a center, but he could also see time at guard at the pro level. Wherever he lines up as a rookie, Barton will face high expectations and no doubt draw the attention of many teams near the top of the order in need of reinforcements up front.

Here are some other draft-related notes from around the NFL:

  • Missouri’s Darius Robinson has also seen his stock rise in the wake of the Senior Bowl, and NFL teams are keeping an eye on him. The Steelers recently hosted him on a ’30’ visit, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. He adds Robinson has 20 meetings with teams on the books, making him one of several potential first-rounders who will remain busy as the draft approaches. O-lineman Taliese Fuaga is among the prospects who also met with the Steelers, as noted by Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  • Staying in Pennsylvania, the Eagles hosted Laiatu Latu on a ’30’ visit, Geoff Mosher of Inside the Birds reports. The UCLA product is one of the best edge rushers in the 2024 class, having earned Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2023. His college resume includes a medical retirement, however, so there will be risk involved in selecting him. Philadelphia and all other prospective suitors will no doubt have a vested interest in Latu’s medical examinations. The Eagles traded Haason Reddick to the Jets, creating the need for a new investment along the edge.
  • The inside linebacker class is not believed to have a Day 1 prospect, but Edgerrin Cooper is among the top options teams will have to choose from. The Texas A&M product had a strong Pro Day showing, and he has a number of ’30’ visits lined up. Per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, the list of interested teams includes the Texans, Eagles, Cowboys, Panthers, Chargers and Buccaneers. Cooper was a consensus All-American in 2023 after racking up 84 tackles (including 17 for loss), eight sacks and a pair of forced fumbles.
  • Pittsburgh, Dallas, Carolina and Tampa Bay are among the teams also set to host Western Kentucky wideout Malachi Corley, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo notes. Garafolo adds the Browns, Ravens, Seahawks and 49ers have also booked a visit with the small school standout. Corley is a member of a very deep receiver class, but his 180 catches, 2,279 yards and 22 touchdowns over the past two seasons along with a strong pre-draft process has put him firmly on the draft radar.
  • Marshawn Kneeland has also drawn considerable pre-draft attention. The Western Michigan defensive end has either already met with (or plans to visit) the Eagles along with the Chiefs, Saints, Jaguars, Jets, Vikings, Colts and Commanders, per Pauline. Kneeland spent four years with the MAC program, totaling 12.5 sacks and 28 tackles for loss while establishing himself as a power rusher and strong run defender.
  • While a number of prospects have helped their stock recently, the opposite is of course true of others. Michigan receiver Roman Wilson appears to have fallen into the latter category, per ESPN’s Matt Miller. He notes Wilson is in danger of falling to the late second round or early in the third, something which could become increasingly possible if a run on the draft’s other pass-catchers takes place. Wilson averaged 16.4 yards per catch and scored 12 touchdowns on a run-heavy Wolverines offense last season, but his size (6-0, 180) and mediocre statistics from his three other campaigns could make him less appealing than other WR options.

Eagles Trade Haason Reddick To Jets

The uncertainty surrounding Haason Reddick‘s future has come to an end. The Pro Bowl edge rusher is being traded from the Eagles to the Jets, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The deal is now official.

With respect to compensation, Schefter notes New York will send Philadelphia a conditional 2026 third-round pick. The selection will become a second-rounder if Reddick plays at least 67.5% of defensive snaps this season and records at least 10 sacks.

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo notes New York will take on $14.5MM of Reddick’s compensation. The Eagles, meanwhile, could also be off the hook for a $1MM roster bonus which was due to be paid out earlier this month but was delayed to April 1. 2024 marks the final year of the 29-year-old’s deal, but Garafolo’s colleague Ian Rapoport reports he is expected to land a new contract in the wake of this trade.

Reddick has drawn attention this offseason with it being known the Eagles were willing to move on from him. While he made it clear he did not request a trade, signs pointed to another lucrative Philadelphia agreement not being in the cards. That seemed to be confirmed when the Eagles landed ex-Jet Bryce Huff early in free agency, a move which added a noted sack artist to the mix. The team has also has Josh Sweat and Brandon Graham on the books for 2024, while New York was left in need of an edge addition prior to today.

Huff seemed destined to depart the latter team after a strong contract season. The Jets were one of the interested suitors in Jadeveon Clowneybut no deal materialized. Not long after seeing Clowney sign a deal with the Panthers, New York has pivoted to Reddick. Expectations will be high for the team’s edge contingent heading into the 2024 campaign as a result.

Reddick has posted at least 11 sacks in each of the past four seasons, a stretch split between his time in Carolina and Philadelphia. The former Cardinals first-rounder was a Pro Bowler in each of his two Eagles seasons, proving to be a valuable free agent addition. He is attached to a deal worth $15MM per year, but a new agreement will no doubt check in at a figure closer to the top of the market. Reddick’s 27 sacks and 76 pressures during the past two years will help his bargaining position with his new team.

New York’s two most frequently used edge rushers from last year – Jermaine Johnson and John Franklin-Myers – are each on the books for another two years on their respective contracts. The latter enjoyed a breakout season last year with 7.5 sacks, while the latter remained a consistent secondary producer in that regard. Adding Reddick to the fold will help offset the loss of Huff and give the team another sack artist to work with.

It will be interesting to see how urgently the Jets pursue a Reddick extension to keep him in the fold for the intermediate term and avoid a potential free agent departure next offseason. 12 edge rushers currently average over $20MM per year, and Reddick could aim to join that group in New York. At a minimum, the Jets’ front seven will still have a strong rotation next season even with Huff no longer in the picture.

Saquon Barkley Addresses Texans Interest, Free Agent Offers

Saquon Barkley recently appeared on the New Heights podcast with now-retired Eagles center Jason Kelce and his brother Travis. He spoke about his free agent period, which ultimately led to a Philadelphia agreement including $26MM fully guaranteed.

Barkley confirmed, via Matt Ehaly of the New York Post, the Texans were the first team he was drawn to with the new league year approaching. That matches a report from the same time, and Barkley noted he and reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud communicated about a potential partnership. After interest from the Eagles picked up, though, the two-time Pro Bowler’s attention began to shift.

“As it got closer, and you start hearing word and Philly, I probably never imagined myself playing for Philly six years ago, but I get to come back to Pennsylvania,” Barkley said. “My family is from Pennsylvania, my lady, our kids, grandmas all that is from Pennsylvania and we’re already close and we can even get to get closer and get a chance to compete. I got to admire [the Eagles] from afar, admire what he was able to build over there and get to be part of that culture. It was a no-brainer for me.”

Philadelphia had interest in retaining 2023 starter D’Andre Swift, but his market became more lucrative than expected. That led the Eagles to prioritize Barkley, and the sides were able to agree to a three-year, $37.75MM pact on the second day of the negotiating window. The NFL has launched a tampering investigation into the matter, but no developments on that front have emerged.

Barkley also noted that four teams (the Giants not being among them) made a formal offer. The Texans – a team which ultimately traded for Joe Mixon to take the place of Devin Singletary – were a “serious suitor,” as Ehaly notes. In the end, though, Barkley preferred to return to the state of his decorated college career amidst solid interest from a shortlist of suitors.

“I had a good bit of teams that really was like all about me coming there and with the price point being up there,” the Penn State alum added. “I wanted to get what I deserved that I thought was fair for me to take care of me and my family. That’s the goal you want to get to, that second contract. “When I had my offers in place, I was like, ‘Alright, what best fits me? Where can I go and have the best opportunity to win?’… When you put all the pieces together, it made sense to be in Philly.”

Eagles Sign DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson

MARCH 25: The Eagles will guarantee Gardner-Johnson $10MM on this deal, 94WIP.com’s Eliot Shorr-Parks tweets. The team used void years through 2029 to spread out the cap hits.

MARCH 12: C.J. Gardner-Johnson is heading back to Philly. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports that the veteran defensive back is signing with the Eagles.

The veteran is inking a three-year deal worth up to $33MM, according to Pelissero. Following a one-year stop in Detroit, Gardner-Johnson is now back with his former squad.

After getting traded by the Saints to the Eagles prior to the 2022 campaign, Gardner-Johnson proceeded to start 12 games for Philadelphia, missing a chunk of midseason games thanks to a lacerated kidney. Despite the absence, he finished the season with 67 tackles and a league-leading six interceptions. He also started each of the Eagles’ three playoff games, including a Super Bowl loss where he compiled four tackles.

That performance earned him a one-year, $8MM contract from the Lions last offseason. However, his lone season in Detroit was highlighted by injuries. He suffered a non-contact injury during training camp that was expected to wipe out his season, but the MRI provided a brighter outlook. Gardner-Johnson was able to return in time for the start of the regular season, but he suffered a torn pectoral muscle in Week 2 that wiped out most of the campaign.

He got back to the field for the regular season finale, and he subsequently played in at least 50 percent of Detroit’s defensive snaps in each of their three playoff games. The 26-year-old still showed he had something left in the tank during the postseason, collecting 12 tackles and an interception.

The Eagles still have Darius Slay and James Bradberry atop their depth chart, but the team did lose some depth when they cut Avonte Maddox last week. Gardner-Johnson’s experience will likely provide him with a path to plenty of playing time as a backup or nickelback.