Eagles 2026 Free Agency Report Card: Howie's Calculated Gamble

The new league year is three days old, and the Eagles' offseason already has a clear identity: calculated, secondary-heavy, and still dangerously incomplete at edge rusher. Let's grade every move Howie Roseman has made so far — and the ones he didn't.

The Headliner: Riq Woolen (CB, 1-Year/$15M) — Grade: B+

This is the most Howie Roseman signing imaginable. A one-year prove-it deal for a former Pro Bowler whose stock cratered after losing his starting job to Josh Jobe in Seattle. The upside is absurd — Woolen's 6-foot-3 frame and 4.26 speed give the Eagles arguably the most physically imposing cornerback trio in NFL history alongside Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean.

The risk? Woolen was benched for a reason. His technique lapses and inconsistent ball tracking plagued him in 2024 and 2025. But at $15 million for one year, Philadelphia isn't married to anything. If Woolen rediscovers his 2022 rookie form — six interceptions, Pro Bowl honors — this becomes the steal of free agency. If he doesn't, they move on. Low commitment, enormous ceiling. That's the Roseman special.

The Losses: Phillips, Blankenship, Dean, Dotson — Grade: C-

Here's where it stings. Jaelan Phillips walking to Carolina leaves a gaping hole on the edge that Arnold Ebiketie alone cannot fill. Phillips was Philadelphia's most explosive pass rusher when healthy, and losing him without a clear replacement is the kind of move that keeps defensive coordinators up at night.

Reed Blankenship's departure hurts differently. He wasn't flashy, but he was the quarterback of the secondary — the guy who got everyone lined up and made the calls. Sydney Brown is talented but unproven as an every-down starter. That's a real transition.

Nakobe Dean leaving feels like the right call given his injury history, and Jahan Dotson was never more than a rotational piece here. But when you add it all up, Philadelphia lost four starters and replaced them with one proven commodity (Woolen) and a bunch of depth pieces. The math doesn't quite work yet.

The Depth Plays: Ebiketie, Mundt, Jonathan Jones, Calcaterra — Grade: B-

Arnold Ebiketie at one year, $7.3 million max is a solid addition to the edge rotation. Back-to-back six-sack seasons in 2023-24 show he can produce, even if 2025 was a down year in Atlanta. He slots in alongside Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith Jr. as part of a committee approach — not ideal, but functional.

Johnny Mundt addresses a real need at blocking tight end. The run game cratered in 2025 partly because the tight end room couldn't sustain blocks at the second level. Mundt won't catch many passes, but he'll move bodies. Grant Calcaterra returning provides continuity behind Dallas Goedert.

Jonathan Jones is a veteran insurance policy at corner. At 32, he's not starting over Mitchell, DeJean, or Woolen, but he's a smart, reliable fourth option. No complaints.

The Misses: Crosby and Hendrickson — Grade: F

This is the elephant in the room. The Eagles pursued Maxx Crosby aggressively, and the entire saga ended with Baltimore swooping in for Trey Hendrickson while Philadelphia was still negotiating. Two elite edge rushers. Zero acquired. In an offseason where the Eagles' biggest need was pass rush after losing Phillips, coming away empty-handed from both pursuits is a significant failure.

The front office will point to the draft — pick 23 overall, with edge rushers like Cashius Howell, Keldric Faulk, and Dani Dennis-Sutton potentially available. But banking your entire pass rush plan on a rookie is a dangerous game, especially for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.

The Extension: Braden Mann (P, 4-Year/$14M) — Grade: A

This one flies under the radar, but it matters. Mann was a top-seven punter in virtually every category last season, and for a defense-first team that led the league in three-and-outs on offense, field position is everything. Locking him up at $3.5 million per year is smart, boring, essential business.

Overall Offseason Grade: C+

The secondary looks elite on paper. Mitchell, DeJean, and Woolen might be the best cornerback trio in football, with Jonathan Jones and Michael Carter II providing quality depth. That's a genuine strength.

But the pass rush situation is genuinely concerning. The Eagles are rolling into 2026 with Jalyx Hunt, Nolan Smith Jr., Arnold Ebiketie, and whatever rookie they draft as their primary edge options. Compare that to the NFC East — the Cowboys still have Micah Parsons, Washington's front is loaded — and Philadelphia looks thin where it matters most.

The draft is now carrying enormous weight. If Roseman nails pick 23 on an edge rusher and finds a safety to replace Blankenship's leadership, this offseason transforms from mediocre to masterful. If the draft picks need time to develop, the Eagles could find themselves in a familiar position: elite secondary, dominant offensive line, and not enough heat on the quarterback.

Howie Roseman has earned the benefit of the doubt. But right now, the report card reads: incomplete.