Eagles shouldn't panic because of free-agency losses

The Philadelphia Eagles have already lost three key defensive starters in free agency. But there's no reason for the NFC powerhouse to panic — yet.

After a disappointing season in which the Eagles lost in the wild-card round, the losses continued into the offseason when EDGE Jaelan Phillips (Carolina Panthers), linebacker Nakobe Dean (Las Vegas Raiders) and safety Reed Blankenship (Houston Texans) agreed to sign elsewhere in free agency. As dispiriting as those losses are for Eagles fans, they shouldn't be surprised by any of them.

Philadelphia reportedly wanted to re-sign Phillips if the price was right, but general manager Howie Roseman was never going to match the Panthers' four-year, $120 million deal. The Eagles still believe in their young pass-rushers — Jalyx Hunt, Nolan Smith Jr. and Jihaad Campbell — and still could explore a trade for Minnesota's Jonathan Greenard or Las Vegas' Maxx Crosby. Philadelphia's scouting department is also excellent at identifying pass-rushers in the draft. 

As good as Dean was when he was healthy, the Georgia product had trouble staying on the field. The Eagles are already financially invested in LB Zack Baun, too, so Roseman wasn't going to break the bank for another linebacker.

As for Blankenship, he was much more of a beloved locker-room figure than a great player. The undrafted free agent ranked 92nd out of 98 qualified safeties in overall Pro Football Focus grade last season. His on-field production won't be difficult to replace. 

Roseman was likely expecting all three of those dominoes to fall, so it's safe to assume he's prepared to replace them.

Eagles fans have no reason to worry