Philadelphia Eagles – Cap Space: $22,731,499
Perhaps the favourites beside Dallas. Philly has a need at the position having released Malcolm Jenkins from the team in March. Jenkins had been with the Eagles for six seasons, but Howie Roseman clearly felt it was time to move on, leaving Jalen Mills as the starter at strong safety.
Mills not familiar with the position and so an addition such as Jamal Adams would be a real statement as a direct replacement for Jenkins’ 2.5 sacks and 81 combined tackles from last season.
The Eagles secondary needs a young, vocal spark to energise the unit and he would fit perfectly alongside veterans Darius Slay, Rodney McLeod and Nickell Robey-Coleman. Sidney Jones has yet to fulfil potential but could be inspired to lift his game to match his talent by a leader such as Adams.
Due to Adams’ prolific accumulation of key stats whilst playing in the box, he would also be an excellent complimentary piece playing alongside Philadelphia’s linebacking corps. The team is seemingly trying to make an attempt to get younger and faster at this position and so Adams would make a lot of sense to help continue to infuse this philosophy further.
A genuine sticking point however, could be the salary cap. Cap space is plentiful right now, but the Eagles have roughly a $50m deficit in 2021 which could possibly be even more restrictive due to the COVID-19 impact on the league-wide cap number.
Howie Roseman does have a reputation as a cap magician though and it would be possible to bring that number back to a controllable level. The drafting of Jalen Reagor this year signifies that in all likelihood, the Eagles will attempt to bridge this deficit by cutting Alshon Jeffery ($8m in savings), Desean Jackson ($5m) and Marquise Goodwin (estimated $7m). Further casualties could include Derek Barnett ($10m), as well as moves to extend and restructure Fletcher Cox ($22m cap hit as things stand) and possibly Carson Wentz.
It is also tricky to predict a trade deal. Young, inexpensive wide receivers will be needed to replace the likes of Jeffery and Jackson and the 2021 draft will be ample opportunity to find a compliment to Reagor. The Eagles do not have a 2021 4th rounder as a bargaining token due to the trade for Genard Avery and so will have to invest their high picks in a new weapon, leaving them hamstrung in any bidding war for Adams’ services.
A bit of imagination would be required, but it would not be surprising to see Adams don a different shade of green this fall.
Likelihood: 7/10
