Yannick Ngakoue. Robert Scheer/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

Potential free-agent additions for Eagles include star pass-rusher

By Bruce Ewing | Last updated 1/27/23

Free agency begins March 15 at 4 p.m. ET.

Positional needs for Philadelphia Eagles: Defensive line, cornerback, running back

The Eagles have 20 impending free agents, a franchise quarterback due for a raise and not much cap room. It’s not ideal, but general manager Howie Roseman has been here before. Will he chase a big-money free agent, as he did with LB Haason Reddick, or wait for someone more reasonably priced, as he did for CB James Bradberry? Knowing Roseman, he’ll do both.

Yannick Ngakoue, DE, Indianapolis Colts

Roseman likes to swing for the fences, and he loves defensive linemen. Ngakoue led the Colts with 9.5 sacks in 2022. For his career, he has 65 sacks and 21 forced fumbles and is the fifth player in history to record eight or more sacks in his first seven seasons.

According to Spotrac.com, his market value is just under $15 million per year, slightly above what the team gave Brandon Graham for one year. With six free-agent defensive linemen, Philadelphia will definitely look at the 27-year-old pass rusher.

Applying pressure.#ProBowlVote x @YannickNgakoue pic.twitter.com/54nr1LOPqR
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 1, 2022

Marcus Peters, CB, Baltimore Ravens

Roseman likes a bargain, too. In 2022, Philadelphia signed James Bradberry to a one-year, $7,250,000 contract. He has had the best season of his career, but he has likely played his way out of Philadelphia. Peters is a year older than Bradberry, but his market value, per Spotrac, is substantially lower.

Peters has 32 interceptions and 12 forced fumbles in his career, but in 2022 he missed four games and had just one interception. Otherwise, he could expect a much larger deal. Pairing Peters with Darius Slay and drafting a young corner would be smart for Philadelphia.

Raheem Mostert, RB, Miami Dolphins

Sometimes Roseman likes a steal, and it’s not often you can sign the leading rusher from a playoff team for just over $2 million per year.

Mostert led the Dolphins with a career-high 891 rushing yards on 181 carries as the Dolphins' lead back. He started his career as an undrafted free agent with Philadelphia but never made the team.

Injuries have dogged him throughout his career, forcing him to miss significant time, but he missed only one game in 2022. With Miles Sanders and Boston Scott both reaching free agency, the Eagles can surely find a role for a talented and inexpensive player such as Mostert.

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