Skip to main content
Premium membership is live —Join JAKIB FAN from $4.99/mo

Eagles Free Agent Rankings: Where Jaelan Phillips, Goedert and Nakobe Dean Stack Up

The Eagles have a significant chunk of their roster hitting free agency, and the latest rankings from Pete Prisco paint a picture of what Philadelphia is...

Analysis
JAKIB

Eagles Free Agent Rankings: Where Jaelan Phillips, Goedert and Nakobe Dean Stack Up

The JAKIB Staff·February 24, 2026
JAKIBSPORTS.COM
T

The JAKIB Staff

contributor

February 24, 2026
2 min read

The Eagles have a significant chunk of their roster hitting free agency, and the latest rankings from Pete Prisco paint a picture of what Philadelphia is working with — and what they might lose.

Here's where the key Eagles free agents stack up in the overall rankings heading into the 2026 free agent market.

Jaelan Phillips — #6 Edge Rusher

Phillips is the biggest name on the Eagles' free agent list and he's ranked as the sixth-best edge rusher available. For a team that needs to maintain its defensive identity, losing Phillips would be a significant blow.

The question is whether the Eagles can afford to pay him what the open market will demand while also managing the AJ Brown situation and potential draft investments.

Dallas Goedert — #67 Overall

Here's where it gets interesting. Goedert's market value has dropped significantly. A year ago, he would have commanded top-tier tight end money. Now? The Eagles are meeting with his agent at the combine, and the conversation is likely centered around a team-friendly deal.

The market says Goedert is worth about $6-8 million annually. That's a far cry from the premium tight end contracts we've seen in recent years. Howie Roseman saw this value decline coming a year ago.

Nakobe Dean — #34 Overall

Dean is an interesting case. He's developed into a solid contributor, but at 34th overall in the free agent rankings, he's not in the top tier. The Eagles could let him test the market and potentially bring him back at a reasonable number.

The Saquon Factor

The elephant in the room remains Saquon Barkley's contract. As discussed on The National Football Show, the value comparison between Barkley and DeAndre Swift is eye-opening. Swift produced nearly identical numbers in Chicago — 1,087 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns compared to Barkley's 1,140 yards — for $12 million less per year.

That's how general managers think. You essentially got the same production from a player making significantly less money. It's a conversation the Eagles need to have internally as they allocate cap space this offseason.

The Bottom Line

The Eagles' free agent class isn't elite, but it's significant. Phillips is the priority retention. Goedert can be brought back cheaply. Dean is replaceable. And the Barkley contract continues to loom over every financial decision this team makes.

Enjoying this article?

JAKIB members get premium articles, exclusive content, and community access. Starting at $4.99/mo.

Join Premium
T

The JAKIB Staff

AI-powered content assistant for JAKIB Sports. Articles generated from show transcripts and Eagles coverage.

Share this article

Related Articles

News
JAKIB

Jonathan Greenard's Injury Is Now an Eagles Week One Concern

The JAKIB Staff·August 24, 2026
JAKIBSPORTS.COM
News

Jonathan Greenard's Injury Is Now an Eagles Week One Concern

Jonathan Greenard opened Eagles training camp on the PUP list and has yet to provide a visible ramp toward Week One. Philadelphia does not need to guess at a diagnosis to recognize the football problem: its new veteran edge rusher is running out of preparation time.

Analysis
JAKIB

Why Landon Dickerson Is the Key to the Eagles' New Run Scheme

The JAKIB Staff·August 21, 2026
JAKIBSPORTS.COM
Analysis

Why Landon Dickerson Is the Key to the Eagles' New Run Scheme

Outside zone puts Landon Dickerson's timing, mobility and reach blocks at the center of Philadelphia's run game. His execution will shape the space available to Saquon Barkley.

Analysis
JAKIB

Why Jalen Hurts' Three Practice Interceptions Need Context

The JAKIB Staff·August 20, 2026
JAKIBSPORTS.COM
Analysis

Why Jalen Hurts' Three Practice Interceptions Need Context

Three interceptions against New England sound alarming until the practice is examined play by play. Receiver responsibility, deliberate experimentation and a productive Eagles running game make the raw total a poor forecast for the offense.

Analysis
JAKIB

Why the Eagles Need a Clear Offensive Chain of Command

The JAKIB Staff·August 19, 2026
JAKIBSPORTS.COM
Analysis

Why the Eagles Need a Clear Offensive Chain of Command

Sean Mannion's booth-or-sideline decision matters less than whether the Eagles give their offensive coordinator clear authority. Philadelphia needs one coherent process connecting game planning, play calling, adjustments, and Nick Sirianni's oversight.

Analysis
JAKIB

Why Makai Lemon's Return Has Become an Eagles Necessity

The JAKIB Staff·August 19, 2026
JAKIBSPORTS.COM
Analysis

Why Makai Lemon's Return Has Become an Eagles Necessity

DeVonta Smith's return gives Philadelphia stability, but the Eagles still need Makai Lemon to rejoin meaningful work. The rookie has a realistic path to WR3 because the depth chart behind Smith lacks a proven ceiling.

Analysis
JAKIB

Why Copying the NFL's Favorite Offense Could Cost the Eagles Their Edge

The JAKIB Staff·August 17, 2026
JAKIBSPORTS.COM
Analysis

Why Copying the NFL's Favorite Offense Could Cost the Eagles Their Edge

The Eagles built an offensive advantage by leaning into personnel strengths that opponents could not easily copy. Following the NFL's under-center trend risks trading that identity for a system defenses see every week.