The Philadelphia Eagles have had a solid offseason and Chip Kelly now is looking to bolster the pass rush and in the draft, a trade up could be in order for names like Khalil Mack, Anthony Barr or Jadeveon Clowney, while the team also could look at free agent options like Anthony Spencer, Shaun Phillips, Robert Ayers or Vince Wilfork if he is released from the Patriots.
The Eagles were 20th in the league in sacks last season with nearly 40 and while that isn't terrible for a team like Kelly's, he realizes that this year the Eagles need to focus a bit more on the defensive side of the ball. The offense is fine, everyone knows that after it ranked in the top 10 in both rushing and passing yards per game, including first in rushing last season, but the D was a mess at times, ranking last in the league in passing yards allowed. Adding more to the pass rush will help the secondary, as opposing quarterbacks will not be able to settle in as much when passing the ball.
The team has made a number of moves in free agent, including keeping and signing names like Malcolm Jenkins, Nolan Carroll, Jason Kelce, Riley Cooper, Jeremy Maclin and Nate Allen and now they could look to add more on the market before the draft. The team had Trent Cole leading the line with eight sacks and he has been a consistent force over the years, but DeMeco Ryans, Mychal Kendricks and Vinny Curry did not do enough and while Connor Barwin was solid with five sacks, he could use more production as well.
DeMarcus Ware, Julius Peppers and Jared Allen were potential options for the Eagles, but now all those players have signed. Allen is now with the Bears after signing a four year deal and he was also being courted by the Seahawks, while Ware is now with the Broncos on a big deal and Peppers is with the Packers. All those players are on the backside of their careers, which is why Kelly may be looking at the draft instead. Names like Mack, Clowney and Barr will only be had if the team opts to trade up and while they could do that, it's more likely Kelly sits tight.
ESPN.com writes that the team could have interest in signing someone like Shaun Phillips, who has played in the same system the Eagles use and he is coming off of a solid season with 10 sacks. That would have led the Eagles and after playing with the Chargers and the Broncos he could be a potential fit for the team as well. Ayers is also on the free agent market, while the Cowboys have shown interest in keeping Spencer, but only at the right price.
The team wants to generate more of a pass rush and Clowney would be amazing, but the team would have to likely trade into the top five to get him and both Mack and Barr are expected to go in the top 10. If Kelly is feeling frisky, he could use that rumored DeSean Jackson trade as an option, but that isn't likely to happen. Either way, the team will add someone in the pass rush at some point this offseason.
