By Paul Macrie, Sports Talk Philly staff writer 
The Eagles crucial offseason, something we have talked about since the end of the 2016 season, is here. The NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis is this week through early next week, and it will take us right to free agency, which officially commences on Thursday, March 9 at 4 p.m.
Teams, free agents and their representation have a 48-hour, or so, window to talk to one another, even before free agency and the new league year is official.
The next several weeks will be filled with news of players signing with other teams, perhaps traded and also rumors of draft prospects either ascending or falling. There will still be a ton of speculation on all these matters, but player movement will come to fruition.
For the Eagles, we have exhausted their weaknesses, needs and even delved into specific player targets in free agency and in the Draft. Now, it is time for the front office to execute the plan they drew up weeks in advance.
It is expected that the Eagles will target at least one wide receiver in free agency. Alshon Jeffery, Kenny Stills and DeSean Jackson are the big names available, and naturally Philadelphia is connected to each of them.
Jeffery makes sense only if the Eagles are able to free up more cap space, which they should be able to accomplish with the release of Ryan Mathews – saving approximately $4 million — while trading or releasing Connor Barwin and Mychal Kendricks remain options. Barwin lacks upside in the 4-3 defensive scheme and would save the team about $7.75 million. With about $11-12 million in space, as of this moment, the cap relief could double with the mentioned moves.
If the team can get to about $25 million in cap space, that should allow them to sign a much-needed quality receiver on the open market, a running back, such as Latavius Murray, maybe a corner and a linebacker to address depth concerns. The bulk of the Eagles offseason work must come via the Draft. It is the best way to build a team that needs to upgrade its overall roster.
The NFL Scouting Combine this week will give the Eagles an indication where many of the prospects they are targeting stand in terms of their measurables, speed drills and strength. It is a useful guide in evaluating players, but game tape remains an important tool in determining a player's strengths and weaknesses.
In particular, the Eagles will continue to scout for help at wide receiver, offensive line, cornerback, defensive end and running back. They must address these positions in the draft. Really, besides safety and quarterback, the team has needs at almost every position.
After having a limited amount of picks in the 2016 draft, they will have more to work with in April, which is better news in attempts to improving the roster.
This week, we will finally find out if the Eagles have the 14th or 15th overall pick in next month's draft. A coin flip between the Colts and Vikings — now the Eagles' pick courtesy of the Sam Bradford trade — will take place. Many will say a one-pick difference doesn't matter, but it can be depending on players that they are targeting in that range. Let's say the Colts end up at 14 and the Eagles are 15. Indianapolis could take a cornerback ahead of the Eagles, since both teams are in major need of the valuable position.
After the Combine, free agency will captivate the NFL landscape. Next week will be a very busy time in the NFL offseason with a lot of player transactions. The Eagles will be somewhat active, but with some limitations in cap space, the expectations should be curbed. Expect the team to strike quick on adding a receiver, and a trade or two can't be ruled out either.
Free agency normally is a short-term frenzy, and then quiets down in about a week's time. Then, there are continued preparations for the NFL Draft.
It is a great time in the NFL offseason calendar. The league does it better than any other major professional sport, with an offseason that will be loaded with news and very little down time. Buckle your seatbelt. It should be quite a ride.
