By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 
The Eagles were in the market for a wide receiver. So when Torrey Smith signed on, it was really no surprise. He was one of the Eagles many targets and with options starting to make their choices, the Eagles made their pick.
But Alshon Jeffery was still out there too. And the Eagles weren't done.
The Eagles made a splash early in free agency, signing the coveted wide receiver. Jeffery's deal was for one year, $14 million. Smith's deal was for three years, $15 million, with the last two years being option years.
What was clear by those two deals was that Howie Roseman was taking a conservative approach to free agent signings while also trying to improve the Eagles next season and he accomplished both.
Jeffery is coming off a season where he performed as well as could be expected. Jeffery missed four games with a suspension. He played for a very poor Chicago Bears team. The market never panned out as expected.
So instead of a lengthy multi-year deal for upwards of $15-17 million per year, Jeffery takes a one-year deal that sets him up for more in the coming year. This is a chance for both the Eagles to see what they can get with Jeffery and for Jeffery to prove his value. It could pay huge dividends in the long run if Jeffery emerges as the No. 1 receiver the Eagles expect him to be.
Then there's Smith. The signing of Smith instantly gave the Eagles something to work with at the position. Even Smith, on paper, would be considered the team's No. 1 option next season.
But Smith is very much in the midst of trying to prove himself as well. In 2016, Smith had 20 catches for 267 yards and three touchdowns. Just two seasons ago, in his last season with Baltimore, Smith had 49 catches for 767 yards and 11 touchdowns. His two seasons in San Francisco just never panned out.
Smith also signs a conservative deal with the Eagles. With only one year guaranteed in a three-year deal, the Eagles can see what Smith brings to the offense and be out of the deal after the 2017 season, simply by declining the option. If it works out, they bring him back, again at $5 million, sure to be a bargain given the way the free agent market can be.
So for Roseman, the first task of the offseason was to provide pieces around Carson Wentz. Thursday afternoon had to be like Christmas morning for the second-year quarterback. He now has two new weapons who can spread the field and make plays. Jordan Matthews can move into his natural slot position with Jeffery and Smith playing outside.
Nelson Agholor becomes a receiver the Eagles can rely on less, by being more of a depth player. Agholor, who has a great respect for Jeffery and can become a mentoree of sorts for Smith, can certainly aid from the veteran presence as well.
The Eagles have been burned in the past by big deals, particularly at cornerback, that last a year, maybe two, and fizzle out, but it always comes after a long-term, big-money deal. With these two deals, the Eagles get a year to experiment, to see how they work with Wentz, how it improves the offense and if it wins games.
And if it all works out, the Eagles are certainly positioned to make it last even longer than just the 2017 season.
