Notable Free Agents: Sam Bradford, Walter Thurmond, Nolan Carroll

Primary Candidates for Release or Re-Structure: Malcolm Jenkins, Mark Sanchez, Jason Peters, Darren Sproles, DeMeco Ryans, Kiko Alonso

Projected Cap Space: 25M

It’s going to be very interesting to see what happens with Sam Bradford. Either way, the Eagles are strong contenders to make a move on a QB early in the NFL Draft. The team recently started locking up the core of its roster, doing new deals with RW All-Senior Bowl Alum Lane Johnson, Vinny Curry, Zach Ertz,and Brent Celek.

The word out of Philadelphia today is that new DC Jim Schwartz wants to take the handcuffs off of the newly signed Curry. We reported a similar sentiment from high level sources at the Senior Bowl, that Schwartz was ready to unleash the front 7 – and that he particularly wanted to square-up Fletcher Cox’s stance, get his butt in the air, and let him rip. Cox is the next priority for contract negotiations on the defensive side of the ball. Expect the Eagles to be among the lowest blitz % in the league in 2016.

The new coaching staff will be left to maximize Chip’s recent signings in – Byron Maxwell, DeMarco Murray, and Ryan Mathews – as well as 2014 Round 1 pick Marcus Smith. Kelly has tried to distance himself from the Smith selection, but we don’t buy it as we were there to film to Teddy Bridgewater’s reps, and Kelly was like white on rice with Smith at Louisville Pro Day. Philly may sniff around trading Smith in the draft, but he won’t command more than a Round 6/7 pick- making it most likely the team gives him some more time to develop under a cheap rookie deal. Some teams may have had a high grade on Smith coming out, similar to the Eagles, and could view him as a reclamation project on the cheap.

Even with the big contract Lane Johnson inked, OT Jason Peters could stick around for another season under his current contract, although it’s not a certainty. Discussions about lowering his cap number are more likely to occur next offseason. Still, OL – especially OG – are needs that must be addressed this offseason.

Jordan Matthews heads into the last year of his rookie deal next offseason. Chances are, the new offensive regime will see if he irons out the drops and how he fits in new offensive scheme before entering negotiations next offseason. The release of Riley Cooper only furthers our theory that Nelson Agholor is in for a big year two breakout in the Jeremy Maclin-role under new HC Doug Pederson.

Finally, following the trade for Kiko Alonso and the draft selection of Jordan Hicks, the LB corps was crowned as Philly’s deepest position group last summer. Injuries derailed that train. Ever since, there have been questions about how things will unfold- and we expect some movement this offseason. Mychal Kendricks and Brandon Graham are locked up, and Jordan Hicks played lights out as a rookie. DeMeco Ryans and Kiko Alonso could be on the outside looking in, and are players to monitor. We’ve heard whispers that Jim Schwartz thought Alonso was a “box of rocks” in their time together in Buffalo.