Ranking the Seven Biggest Eagles Offseason Acquisitions

We are nearly halfway through the Eagles 2024 season, and some players have used this time to shine, while others haven’t. When looking at the additions the Eagles front office made this season through trades and free agency, we can see several examples of players who have worked out extremely well, while others haven’t. Let’s look at the five biggest moves the Eagles made prior to this season and check how they’ve gone so far.

Note: This list will not include players such as Matt Hennessy, Parris Campbell, and Kenny Pickett, as they were either signed as potential high-upside practice squad players or backups.

7. Devin White

We start this list with a player who was signed to be a starter and is no longer a member of the team. More than that, White never even played a snap for the Eagles. After being drafted fifth overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, White has had an up-and-down career. In 2020 he was a member of the All-Pro Second Team, and in 2021 he was a Pro Bowler. Other than that, his career has been considered underwhelming for where he was drafted.

When he signed a 1-year, $4 million contract with the Eagles, it was seen as a prove-it deal. If he could prove that he was the player we saw in 2020 and 2021 he could earn himself a big payday, either with Philadelphia or somewhere else. When training camp started, all signs pointed to White being the starting middle linebacker, but an injury just prior to the start of the season led to Nakobe Dean and Zack Baun taking the starting spots. Unfortunately for White, those two played really well. So well in fact that after Week 4, the Eagles decided they no longer needed his services and released him. Some people may feel that the poor play of others on this list should put them lower but it’s hard to beat a guy who literally did nothing for this team.

6. Jahan Dotson

After it was clear that the Eagles had no viable wide receiver three, Howie Roseman decided to trade for Jahan Dotson at the end of August. While he did not live up to his potential as a first-round pick in Washington, he was still seen as a solid receiver, especially if he would be the third option. However, through seven games, Dotson only has six receptions for 35 yards, with zero touchdowns. Devin White may have done nothing for this team, but with numbers like this, Dotson has virtually done the same for this Eagles offense.

It is worth noting that this is probably not all on Dotson. Jalen Hurts has proven himself to be a quarterback who needs to build trust with his receiver before he will consistently throw to him, so it is safe to assume that Hurts doesn’t think he can truly rely on Dotson now. In two seasons with Washington, Dotson was able to notch over 500 yards both times, so the talent is there, we just haven’t seen it yet.

5. Bryce Huff

Huff has gotten the brunt of the criticism from Eagles fans in terms of offseason additions, mostly because of his contract. His three-year, $51.1 million contract was far and away the biggest on the team, but he has since underperformed for a contract that large. After collecting 10 sacks last year, Huff did not collect any with the Eagles until Week 6. Through seven games he currently only has 1.5, and more than that, he has not been getting the pressures or hurries that would excuse low sack numbers. Fair or not, Huff is going to be viewed as Haason Reddick‘s replacement, and so far he is nowhere close to that level. This is his first season as a full-time started and you have to wonder if these new responsibilities and large contract are negatively impacting his level of play.

There is hope, however, as since the bye week Huff has been noticeably better. He has since reverted back to starting from a four-point stance to generate more power off the snap and that seems to be working. While that diminishes his effectiveness as a run stuffer, getting any production from him as a pass rusher right now is a positive.

4. C.J. Gardner-Johnson

The players mentioned previously have been bad. In the case of C.J. Gardner-Johnson, he’s been just okay. In his second stint with the Eagles, CJGJ had a lot to live up to when compared to his 2022 self. So far he has not been at that level, where he recorded six interceptions in 12 games played, but he has still been solid. You sign a player like him for the splash plays, and when he doesn’t make them you notice his deficiencies more, and there is no doubt that his biggest deficiency is his tackling. There have been some ugly moments, bad angles, and flat-out whiffs that make you scratch your head. But at the same time, you see the lockdown coverage, you see him come flying in to make a huge fourth down stop against the Falcons in Week 2, and most recently you see his first pick of the season, where he was able to secure a ball that would have bounced off of most guys’ chests. As this defense continues to improve, you can expect Gardner-Johnson to improve with it.

3. Mekhi Becton

Becton was viewed as a potential backup guard when he was signed by the Eagles, now eight weeks into the season he has started all but one game at right tackle, where he was sidelined with a concussion. Jeff Stoutland’s ability to find offensive linemen and turn them into absolute studs genuinely needs to be studied. The right guard position was vacant coming into 2024, but virtually everyone assumed it would be filled by the Eagles’ 2023 draft pick, Tyler Steen. For a few weeks during training camp, those people were right, but after Steen went down with an injury Becton came in and never let go. Obviously, when it comes to offensive linemen it’s very hard to evaluate their play compared to other players due to their lack of quantifiable stats, but just watch Becton play and you’ll see how good he is. This is a massive human being and he uses his size to regularly overpower his opponents. Hats off to him for being receptive to learning a new position and thriving in it.

2. Zack Baun

I don’t think anybody saw this coming. Zack Baun was signed by the Eagles as a potential extra edge rusher. As training camp rolled around he was shifted to the linebacker position in a move that confused everyone. No one is questioning it now though, as Baun has started every game at linebacker next to Nakobe Dean and has been one of the most consistently reliable players on the entire defense. Baun leads the team with 69 tackles, which also has him tied for 11th in the league. His 45 solo tackles also put him tied for sixth in the NFL. In addition to that also has two sacks and forced a fumble in Sunday’s game against the Bengals. With the way he has been playing, I would not be surprised to see a contract extension in his future. In a position where the Eagles have been notoriously bad these last few years, Zack Baun is a breath of fresh air that Eagles fans should thank their lucky stars for every day.

1. Saquon Barkley

How could it have been anyone else? After six seasons where he basically carried the entire Giants’ offense, many people wondered if Sequin had any tread left on the tires. These questions were not unfounded, as Barkley was known to be a weapon when he was healthy, but seemingly always had trouble staying on the field. Howie Roseman also proved himself to be a general manager who will not pay for a running back but would rather find a cheap player or a draft pick and trust them behind Philly’s always-reliable o-line. This is why it shocked everyone when Barkley signed a three-year, $37.75 million contract with the Eagles. This had the potential to be a massive steal for the Birds but it could just as easily blow up in their faces.

So far through the first seven games, the Saquon Barkley signing has been a match made in heaven. Twice he has been named as the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Week. He trails only Derrick Henry in rushing yards with 766, he has five touchdowns, and he would have several more if it weren’t for the brotherly shove. To put this into perspective, last year with the Giants Saquon’s longest run went for 36 yards; through seven games this year, he has five runs of 35 yards or more, including his season-high 65-yarder against the Saints. It’s amazing what he’s been able to do when he’s actually surrounded by talent, and it has been an absolute joy to watch. I truly don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that the sky is the limit for Saquon Barkley with the Philadelphia Eagles.

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