4 Bargain Players Who Could Still Interest the Eagles

By Tucker Bagley, Sports Talk Philly staff writer 

When Howie Roseman met with the media earlier this week, the Eagles' general manager said he was surprised by the amount of quality players still available on the free-agent market. 

Despite the Eagles lacking any sort of cap space right now, they could remain players in the free agent market, especially if those deals resemble what they gave Chris Long and Patrick Robinson a couple of days ago. Here's a few names they could go after if they remain unsigned over the next few weeks.

Sean Weatherspoon, LB

Despite Doug Pederson saying he expects Mychal Kendricks to be on the roster in 2017, there's just too much evidence to the contrary to take that statement at face value. It's becoming clear the team is prepared to move on from Kendricks and adding a cheap, veteran linebacker could help shore up a thin unit. 

Weatherspoon is a former first-round pick who has experienced a lot of success in the NFL. However, his career has been derailed by injuries during the past few seasons. In fact, he has played just 18 games over the last three years, and missed all of 2015 with a torn Achilles tendon. Still just 29, Weatherspoon could still offer some decent football to a team, should he be healthy. 

If the Eagles are simply searching for a player who can take over Kendricks' role in their base defense, that could limit Weatherspoon's snaps, preserving his health and giving him a chance to prove his worth to the rest of the league.

Nickell Robey, CB

Standing at just 5'8", Robey certainly doesn't ideal measurables for a NFL defensive back, but he has been a rather productive player during his four years in the NFL. Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz also coached Robey during the coach's lone season in Buffalo, and as we learned before, familiarity goes a long way with Schwartz.

Robey is a skilled slot corner and, despite his diminutive stature, has racked up five sacks in his career. Still just 25, he is another veteran who still has enough time left in his career to be willing to take a one-year, prove-it deal. The Eagles will be taking a few corners in the draft, but adding a young veteran on the cheap couldn't hurt. 

Johnathan Hankins, DT

Hankins is probably the biggest, and most surprising, name on this list. Despite having a pretty respectable reputation around the league and putting up decent numbers early in his career, it seems like the market didn't unfold the way he was expecting. However, it has been reported the New York Giants have had a multi-year offer on the table for weeks.

Hankins refusal to be locked in at what he may deem to be a discount price means he's probably looking for a short-term deal where he can maximize his earning potential. The Eagles reportedly had interest in him at the beginning of free agency, and with no replacement for Bennie Logan on the roster, they would probably still be open to adding him.

Hankins is a penetrating defensive tackle who racked up seven sacks in 2014. His pass-rushing skills could be maximized in Schwartz's attacking scheme and he could earn a big contract if he dons the midnight green in 2017.

Corey White, DB

White has bounced around the league a bit, but he's a young, versatile defensive back who is experienced on special teams. At 26, White is coming off his best season as a pro when he intercepted two passes and added 30 total tackles in a reserve role. 

If the Eagles are able to sign a defensive lineman or a linebacker and still feel like they could use more depth in their secondary, White could be had on the cheap and would be able to plug a lot of holes. 

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