As the NFL calendar inches closer to free agency, front offices are deep in evaluation mode-balancing draft prep with tough decisions on who to keep, who to let walk, and who might be worth a franchise tag. For the Philadelphia Eagles, three key names have landed on a prominent list of the top 50 unrestricted free agents: edge rusher Jaelan Phillips, safety Reed Blankenship, and linebacker Nakobe Dean. Each presents a unique challenge-and opportunity-as Howie Roseman and the Eagles' brass chart the course for 2026.
Let’s break down what each player brings to the table and why their futures in Philly are worth watching closely.
Jaelan Phillips, EDGE
It didn’t take long for Phillips to make his presence felt in midnight green. After being traded from Miami midseason, the 6-foot-5 pass rusher stepped into Vic Fangio’s system like he’d never left it-because, well, he hadn’t. Familiarity with the scheme allowed him to hit the ground running, and for a defense that desperately needed juice off the edge, Phillips delivered.
He racked up 27 pressures and two sacks in the back half of the season, but the impact went beyond the stat sheet. Phillips consistently set the edge, disrupted timing, and gave the Eagles a much-needed physical presence at a position that had been lacking all year. And perhaps most importantly-he stayed healthy, something that had eluded him during his time in Miami.
Now, with free agency looming, Phillips is poised to command a significant contract. The Eagles don’t currently have a clear successor on the roster, which puts the pressure squarely on Roseman to work some salary cap gymnastics if they want to keep Phillips in the fold. Given his age, upside, and scheme fit, he’s the kind of player you build around-if you can afford to.
Reed Blankenship, S
Blankenship’s rise from undrafted free agent in 2022 to trusted starter in the Eagles' secondary is the kind of story that’s easy to root for. He’s not flashy, but he’s reliable-and in today’s NFL, that’s a valuable commodity on the back end of a defense. Think of him as a blue-collar safety who does the dirty work: filling run lanes, bringing physicality downhill, and consistently showing up where he’s supposed to be.
With Andrew Mukuba sidelined late in the season, Marcus Epps stepped in, and that could complicate Blankenship’s outlook. The Eagles may see a chance to get younger or more dynamic at the position, but that doesn’t mean Blankenship won’t have a role-especially if the price is right.
A short-term deal could keep him in Philly while the team continues to develop its young talent. He may not be the long-term answer, but he’s been a steady hand in a secondary that’s seen its share of turnover.
Nakobe Dean, LB
Dean’s journey has been a bit more complicated. The Eagles had high hopes when they drafted him, and when healthy, he’s shown flashes-particularly as an interior blitzer. But availability has been an issue, and the team’s decision to draft Jihaad Campbell in 2025 speaks volumes about where things might be headed.
Even though Dean got the nod over Campbell when healthy, it’s clear the Eagles are preparing for life beyond him. That doesn’t necessarily mean he’s out the door, but it does suggest his days as a centerpiece of the defense may be numbered.
In a league where linebacker value has been de-emphasized in recent years, Dean’s future likely hinges on fit and cost. If the Eagles believe Campbell is ready to take the reins, they may let Dean test the open market.
What’s Next?
While conversations are surely happening behind closed doors, the real movement starts in March. The “legal tampering” period kicks off March 9-10, when teams can begin negotiating with pending free agents.
The official start of free agency hits on March 11 at 4:00 p.m. ET.
For the Eagles, these next few weeks will be critical. Phillips, Blankenship, and Dean each represent different tiers of value and risk, but all three have made meaningful contributions. Whether they stay or go, their situations will shape how the Eagles approach both the draft and the rest of the offseason.
Stay tuned-this is just the beginning.