A free agent suggestion for every position for Eagles

By March 17, the Eagles should be far enough below the NFL's salary cap to go after some free agents.

But we're not talking about the marquee players like wide receivers Chris Godwin, the Middletown High School and Penn State star, or Allen Robinson, or a top backup quarterback like Marcus Mariota to battle with Jalen Hurts for the starting job.

After all, the Eagles are still well over the cap, even after restructuring the contract of cornerback Darius Slay to save $9.1 million this season, along with center Jason Kelce. There are likely more to come as Lane Johnson reportedly is restructuring his deal, and it's possible that Brandon Graham and Fletcher Cox will restructure as well.

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Keep in mind that teams like the Jets are more than $70 million under the cap, meaning they can easily outbid the Eagles for top players.

Still, there are lower-cost players who can help the Eagles. Here, then, is a free agent suggestion for each position, keeping in mind that the player has to be someone on a relatively cheap contract:

Quarterback

Tyrod Taylor

If the Eagles are truly going with Jalen Hurts as the quarterback for this coming season at least, it would help to have someone familiar with the coaching staff. Taylor fits the bill in that he was the Chargers' starter last season under offensive coordinator Shane Steichen, who's now the Eagles' offensive coordinator.

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Taylor started the opener last season before suffering an injury, allowing Justin Herbert to play.

Another possibility would be Jacoby Brissett, who has been with new Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni in Indianapolis the past three seasons, when Sirianni was the Colts offensive coordinator.

Running back

Marlon Mack

The Eagles would be taking a chance on Mack, who tore his Achilles in the season opener. But as someone with ties to Sirianni with the Colts, Mack might be willing to accept a one-year prove-it type deal to show he's back. 

For the Eagles, Mack is still 25 years old, and he can work in with Miles Sanders, whom the Eagles would like to have as an every-down back. Sanders, however, has missed games in each of the last two seasons with injury.

Another point of intrigue would be that in the fourth round of the 2017 draft, the Eagles traded up to select Donnel Pumphrey 132nd overall. Pumphrey never played a down in the NFL. At No. 143, the Colts selected Mack, who rushed for 1,091 yards in 2019.

Wide receiver

Zay Jones

The Eagles drafted three wide receivers last spring and added a second-year player in Travis Fulgham. While there is potential for the young group, they do need a veteran presence now that DeSean Jackson and Alshon Jeffery won't be returning.

Jones would fit the mold of a relatively low-cost free agent who's still relatively young at 26 years old. Jones only had 14 receptions last season for 154 yards for the Raiders. But the 2017 second-round pick of the Buffalo Bills did have 652 yards receiving and 7 TDs in 2018.

Tight end

Trey Burton

Yes, the man who threw the famous "Philly Special" pass in the Super Bowl could be an intriguing candidate. Burton played for Sirianni last season in Indianapolis, with 289 yards receiving and 3 touchdows. If both Zach Ertz and Richard Rodgers don't return, Burton could be a second tight end to Dallas Goedert.

Offensive line

Rashod Hill

The Eagles could go with a right tackle like Hill, who could fill in if Johnson were to suffer an injury. Hill had started 17 games in five seasons with the Vikings. That would enable the Eagles to keep Andre Dillard at left tackle with Jordan Mailata as his backup. That would also enable the Eagles to use Jack Driscoll as a swing guard.

Defensive line

Steven Means

The Eagles would be looking for depth at defensive end behind Brandon Graham, Derek Barnett and Josh Sweat. Means, who played for the Eagles in 2016 and 2017, is coming off his best season with 3.0 sacks for Atlanta. He can be the fourth defensive end in the rotation, while helping to groom a drafted defensive end.

Linebacker

Alex Anzalone

The Eagles are in the process of revamping their linebacker corps as they drafted two last spring. But neither Davion Taylor (third round) nor Shaun Bradley (sixth) contributed much, and that means a stopgap like Anzalone, who started nine games last season for the Saints, could help.

In addition, the Eagles would need a veteran, especially if they move on from Nathan Gerry and/or Duke Riley.

Defensive back

Deon Bush

By going with a safety, the Eagles give themselves some insurance in case Rodney McLeod isn't ready to return from a torn knee ligament. If McLeod is ready, it's possible the Eagles could move Jalen Mills back to cornerback – assuming they re-sign the pending free agent.

Either way, Bush, who started eight games in five seasons with the Bears, can give the Eagles depth and experience in the secondary.

Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @Mfranknfl.