By Paul Macrie, Sports Talk Philly staff writer 
As the "legal tampering" period continues in the NFL, the Eagles have been connected to numerous free agents, particularly those that play wide receiver and corner. Per the NFLPA, Philadelphia currently possesses $8,457,224 of cap space, which is about $2-3 million less than previously thought.
Of course, that number can increase within the next several days with several names possibly being released or traded. Those names include Ryan Mathews, Connor Barwin, Mychal Kendricks, Allen Barbre and Jason Kelce.
If the Eagles release or trade at least two of these players, then that could free up valuable space needed to sign a couple of free agents.
Though Howie Roseman can get creative in how he offers contracts so that it would lessen the cap hit in the short-term, it is unlikely the team spends the money it did during the last several offseasons. It is important to target quality instead of quantity when it comes to this year's free agency period.
To this point, the Eagles have certain levels of interest in free agent wide receivers Alshon Jeffery, Terrelle Pryor, Kenny Stills, DeSean Jackson and Kenny Britt. It has been reported that they have had preliminary contract talks with Jackson, according to NJ.com.
Philadelphia is also doing their due diligence by scanning the cornerback market with names such as A.J. Bouye and Kayvon Webster as possibilities. There has also been reports about interest in trading for Saints wideout Brandin Cooks and Rams corner Trumaine Jackson, who was slapped the franchise tag by Los Angeles last week.
It isn't surprising at all that the Eagles are connected to these names at wide receiver and corner. In fact, it has been well-documented for months about what are their biggest positional needs. Realistically, they will only be able to sign or trade for a few of these free agents due to cap restraints. As the front office continues to contact these names and their agents during the legal tampering period, it will be about practicing patience and locking up these players at the ideal price.
Let's go through where some of these free agents may land, which can officially occur as soon as Thursday afternoon at 4:01 p.m. when free agency and the new league year get underway.
Alshon Jeffery reportedly has been in talks to return to Chicago, but it remains likely he goes elsewhere in the next several days. San Francisco and Tennessee have expressed interest, along with Philadelphia. His $14-15 million a year demand will make it difficult for the Eagles to lure him away from the Bears. The Titans and 49ers will gladly get into the bidding war with ample amounts of cap room. Those two teams make more sense for the top prized receiver.
DeSean Jackson has received interest from the Bucs, Eagles, Patriots and Cowboys, as of Tuesday night. Tampa Bay has been "making a strong push" for the veteran wideout, and they make the most sense due to significant cap flexibility and the need for a No. 2 pass catching option. Mike Evans would greatly benefit from having a player like Jackson lined up opposite from him. It could lessen the double teams Evans faced a lot of during the second-half of 2016. Dallas makes some sense, but they don't have much cap room. New England would be an intriguing destination, and they always have the necessary cap space. The Eagles make sense for obvious reasons, but they would benefit from having a younger option that is either emerging or in the prime of his career.
Kenny Stills market has been quiet thus far after initial reports the Eagles were expected to make a run for the speedy wideout. Miami would like to re-sign him, but they are thinking ahead to extending fellow skill player Jarvis Landry who is due for a big payday. Stills should get somewhere between $10-12 million a year on the open market, and he can classify as an emerging player entering his mid 20's. He is a player that can grow with second-year quarterback Carson Wentz, but the current price tag could be a bit rich for the Eagles' blood.
Kenny Britt is a solid secondary receiver market play. The veteran wideout had a career season in Los Angeles last year, where he excelled despite terrible quarterback play and a below-average offense overall. He built a relationship with the Eagles new wide receiver coach Mike Groh, who was the passing game coordinator for the Rams in 2016. Adding Britt wouldn't necessarily take Philadelphia out of the running for a pricier receiver such as Jackson, Jeffery, Stills or Pryor.
Meanwhile, Terrelle Pryor is an interesting case for the Eagles. His current asking price is believed to be in the $10 million a year range, which can be considered a risk for a player that just made the full-time move to receiver last season after years as a quarterback. Pryor excelled despite playing for the worst team in the NFL in Cleveland, compiling 77 catches for 1,007 yards and four touchdowns. The 27-year-old has made the successful transition to receiver in the most difficult of circumstances. He should get paid handsomely for his breakout year. The Eagles are interested, while the Browns haven't ruled out a reunion, but it is looking unlikely as of now. The Giants, 49ers and Titans are also in the mix.
A.J. Bouye is regarded as the top cornerback in this year's free agent class. Bouye opened last season as the Texans' fourth corner, but battled his way as a starter thanks to some injuries in Houston's secondary. He played lights out for the top defense in the NFL in 2016. The former undrafted free agent is expected to haul in a $13 million or more a year contract from a team. Houston is trying to lock him up before free agency begins tomorrow afternoon, but the Eagles have shown some interest. The overall expectation, despite the Eagles making a call to Bouye's representation, is that they won't be serious suitors.
The Eagles should concentrate on enhancing the roster via free agency, but they shouldn't break the bank on the corner market. With a well-regarded cornerback class in this year's NFL Draft, it will be best to invest early round picks on that position, and spend more on receivers in free agency.
Whether it is the addition of Cooks via a trade, signing Jeffery, Stills, Jackson, Pryor or Britt, the Eagles should be able to land one of these players within the next few days.
Though they should add several players in free agency, don't expect the organization to be overly active. It just doesn't make much sense to do so with the current state of the team and the direction they need to head in order to become a serious contender.
