Even though the NFL's tagging window is now open, it's still a relatively quiet period for the Eagles. That will change next week when the NFL takes over Indianapolis for the annual scouting combine.
But until then, we got plenty of questions for our latest mailbag. We split them up, so just the first bunch today.
Here we go:
Will the Eagles sign Nelly or Tate? Or both?— Rodolfo Sixel (@RodolfoSixel) February 20, 2019
I don't think both will be back. I'm not going off any information there, just my thought on the situation. To me, it wouldn't make much sense to bring both of them back because the Eagles had half a season to figure out how to use them together and never did.
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If I'm the Eagles, I'd stick with Agholor and let Tate walk for a few reasons. First, Agholor is younger. He's just 25, while Tate has already turned 30, which is important when we're talking about a possible extension.
I also think Agholor is already the more explosive player with big-play potential, which is pretty important. Over the last two seasons, Agholor has seven catches of 50-plus yards, good for third in the NFL. Tate has 11 such catches in his nine-year career. So they're different types of players who play in the same spot. I'll take explosiveness.
But the biggest thing for me is that I think Tate's best seasons are probably behind him, while Agholor has more room to grow. Agholor hasn't had a 1,000-yard season in the NFL and Tate has had three. But Agholor got off to a slow start for a first-round pick. He has the talent to become a much better player, especially in an offense that figures out how to use him correctly.
So I'd let Tate walk and extend Agholor to help alleviate what would be a cap hit of over $9.3 million in 2019 on his fifth-year option.
What do the Eagles do with Mack Hollins ?— Jason Deger (@Gold_Deger) February 20, 2019
Hollins has become somewhat of a forgotten man and for good reason. The young receiver missed his entire second season under somewhat mysterious circumstances. When Mike Wallace went down early in the season, they really could have used Hollins and that deep threat ability he was supposed to bring with him from North Carolina. As a rookie in 2017, Hollins had just 16 catches for 226 yards and a touchdown and then missed all of 2018.
But he's set to have a cap hit of just north of $800K in 2019, so I expect him to be back on the roster in Year 3. Even if he's not a candidate to produce offensively, he's a pretty good special teams player, which most bottom-of-the-roster receivers need to be. Can he become a contributing player on offense? I think so; don't know. But with a low price tag and with at least some ability, the Eagles will try to find out.
What is the Eagles' least dire draft need (excluding special teams stuff)? What player(s) at that position would you take (as a best player available selection) in 1st round?— Azz U Like It (@jerrytheazzman) February 20, 2019
The Eagles' least dire positions of need would probably be quarterback and tight end. There's not a BPA I would take in the first round, but I think there's a chance they take a developmental QB later in the draft and possibly a tight end, although I don't think they need to.
I guess the least dire position I would at least entertain drafting in the first round would be cornerback. For some reason, that has been a trendy pick among national types who didn't really watch the Eagles' season and thought their secondary was horrible. It was for a while, but they have some young talent that finished out the season strong. Rasul Douglas, Avonte Maddox and Cre'Von LeBlanc return. Sidney Jones is still young and Jalen Mills is still under contract. I don't think it's a big need to take care of in the first round, but if Greedy Williams fell for some reason, I think he'll be very good. And Byron Murphy from Washington might be available at 25. Wouldn't hate that pick, but there are bigger needs.
How would AB fit in our offense scheme— i forget (@StephinMcC) February 20, 2019
Antonio Brown is the best receiver in the NFL (if he isn't, he's second), so I wouldn't be too concerned about fit on the field. I think AB could fit in any offense; he's that good. But that doesn't mean I think the Eagles are going to trade for Brown. There are several reasons why that seems unlikely, among them: salary cap space, fit in the locker room and other more pressing needs.
When is Bryce signing with the Phillies?— N. P. Perry (@patenerry) February 20, 2019
Soon, I hope.
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