How the Eagles Free Agent Signings Fit

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

After pledging to build the Philadelphia Eagles through the draft, Howie Roseman went out on the first day of free agency and signed three players who will aid the development of Carson Wentz in 2017.

The Eagles still have a lot of holes to fill on the defensive side of the ball, but with a pair of proven wide receivers now in the fold, the Eagles are one step closer to competing for a playoff spot.

These players aren't exactly band-aids either. Instead, they are guys who may still be around when the Birds are ready to be Super Bowl contenders. Here's a look at what made them decide to come to Philadelphia and how they will help the Eagles in 2017.

Alshon Jeffery

2016 Stats: 52 catches, 821 yards, 2 touchdowns

Why He's Here: "[Carson Wentz] had a lot to do with it. I mean, the sky's the limit for him. Me and him texted back and forth, I told him that my job is to help him win the MVP, which I truly believe. The sky's the limit for him."

Jeffery was the prize of this year's free agency. He's the best receiver this franchise has had since DeSean Jackson departed in the winter of 2014. When healthy, Jeffery is a star. With his size and impressive vertical leap, the receiver is capable of dominating defensive backs and taking over a game. 

Signing Jeffery for just one season may scare some fans, but coming off a season in which he served a four game suspension for PED-use, and another season where he was limited to nine games due to injury, a one-year contract eliminates any penalty the Eagles would incur if he were to falter again.

From day one, Jeffery will be the Eagles No. 1 wide receiver and I'm sure fans are giddy about what he and Wentz can do on the field together. On a team that was lacking elite offensive weapons a season ago, Jeffery is a guy who will make opposing defensive coordinators labor through some sleepless weeks.

Torrey Smith

2016 Stats: 20 catches, 267 yards, 3 touchdowns

Why He's Here: "Obviously, we've been brought in to help and enhance the room. To make the receiver room as good as it can be. Everyone's a part of that. We're going to bring competition to the room, and we'll see what happens."

In addition to being a veteran presence, Smith is the deep threat the Eagles' receiving corps has desperately missed over the past few years. Now, with him and Jeffery in the fold, Wentz has a pair of proven, veteran weapons who can get open and stretch the field. 

It's no secret Smith struggled mightily in his two years in San Francisco. After averaging 53 catches, 898 yards and eight touchdowns during his four seasons in Baltimore, Smith tallied 54 catches, 930 yards and seven touchdowns in his time as a 49er.

However, Smith led the NFL in yards per catch during 2015, so there's reason to believe his dip in production was due to him being in a toxic environment. He'll be second on the Birds' depth chart behind Jeffery and could find a lot of space down the field with Zach Ertz and Jordan Matthews occupying the middle. 

Chance Warmack

2016 Stats: 2 games started

Why He's Here: "I feel like coach [Jeff] Stoutland, he's going to take me to the next level in terms of our communication, and I honestly feel like this was the best option for me."

Warmack's signing was a bit of a surprise, but after missing almost all of 2016 with a finger injury his price was relatively low for a former first-round pick. Even though Warmack never really lived up to his Top-10 pick pedigree, he is still a quality lineman that will, at the very least, help the team's depth along the interior of their offensive line.

With the signing of Warmack, and the re-signing of Stefen Wisniewski, the Eagles now find themselves with at least five interior linemen who have been starters in the NFL. Maybe Roseman will try to move one of those guys in order to help fill one of the holes on this roster, but for now, we can simply expect a lot of competition during training camp.

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