Three Under-the-Radar Free Agents Who Would Be Perfect Eagles Fits

# Three Under-the-Radar Free Agents Who Would Be Perfect Eagles Fits

**Slug:** eagles-free-agent-targets-kolar-monterick-brown-march-2026

**Excerpt:** The Eagles aren't going to make a big splash in free agency. But these three cost-effective signings could quietly fill critical holes and make the roster significantly better.

**Category:** news

**YouTube:** https://youtu.be/1ZmLnRzfiM0

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Don't expect fireworks from the Eagles in free agency. Howie Roseman's philosophy hasn't changed and isn't going to change: draft well, re-sign your own, and supplement with smart additions. Last year's "table offseason" — a phrase coined right here on Birds 365 — is likely getting a sequel in 2026.

But quiet doesn't mean unproductive. With 21 of their own free agents hitting the market, Philadelphia needs to find role players who fit the system without demanding premium money. The Eagles don't think this is a deep free agency class. Nobody around the league does. The smart teams are going to find the hidden gems — players who fit their specific system at the right price point.

Here are three names that make too much sense for the Eagles.

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Charlie Kolar, Tight End (Ravens)

This is the one. Kolar is young, affordable, and fills the exact hole the Eagles have at tight end — blocking. He's not going to replace Dallas Goedert's receiving production. That's not the point. That's not what this offense needs.

Kolar would be the 12-personnel starter, the second tight end who can seal the edge and create running lanes for Saquon Barkley and the ground game. He has good hands and catches the ball when you throw it to him, but he's not a pass-catching specialist who's going to run seam routes and split safeties. For an Eagles offense that wants to dominate on the ground in 12 personnel, that's a feature, not a bug.

Roseman admitted at the combine that he needs to evolve his thinking at tight end. His history is falling in love with receiving tight ends — the Zach Ertz, Dallas Goedert mold. He essentially said on the record that improving at the position means opening his mind to the blocking-first tight end. Kolar is what that evolution looks like in practice. And at his projected price point, this is a no-brainer signing.

Monterick Brown, Cornerback (Jaguars)

The Eagles' cornerback room is solid but not deep, and if you're looking for a cost-effective upgrade at cornerback two, Brown is the answer. He's very long, very lengthy, and brings the kind of physical profile that translates well to the NFL's zone-heavy defensive schemes.

Brown isn't the fastest corner in the world — that's the knock. But the Eagles play so much zone coverage under Vic Fangio that they can scheme around pure speed deficiencies. What they can't scheme around is a lack of length at the position, and Brown has it in abundance. He's been productive in Jacksonville despite playing on a bad team, which says something about his individual ability.

The contract would be middle class — probably a two-year deal that doesn't break the bank. That's the sweet spot for the Eagles in this market. You're not committing long-term premium money, but you're getting a player who can compete for the CB2 role immediately and push the entire cornerback room to be better.

The Edge Insurance Plan

If Jaelan Phillips walks, the Eagles have edge defender money already budgeted that needs to go somewhere. The contingency plan involves second-tier edge free agents — younger players who can provide multiple years of production without commanding the $25 million price tag that Phillips is expected to earn.

The interesting wrinkle: because the Eagles already budgeted for a premium edge signing, pivoting to a cheaper alternative actually frees up cap space for other positions. It's not ideal — Phillips is clearly the preference and the number one priority — but Roseman always has contingencies ready. He's never operating with just one plan.

Why This Approach Works

The Eagles have proven over the last several years that you win through the draft, not free agency. The big signings get the headlines, but it's the smart, system-specific role player additions that fill out a contending roster. Kolar, Monterick Brown, and edge insurance if needed — none of these moves will generate national headlines. All of them could make the Eagles measurably better.

That's the Roseman way. And it's worked pretty well so far.