Eagles Weekly Recap: Graham, Epps, Patricia, NFL combine

Welcome back to an offseason edition of the Eagles Weekly Recap. The last time we did one of these posts, the Eagles were getting prepared to play the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 57 in Glendale, AZ. Philadelphia could not get the job done in the big game, losing by three points, ending an incredible season on a disappointing note.

The Eagles will be one of the many teams under the microscope this offseason as they lost both coordinators (Shane Steichen and Jonathan Gannon) to head coaching opportunities but replaced them with Brian Johnson (offensive coordinator) and Sean Desai (defensive coordinator). Along with losing their coordinators, the Eagles could see many players move on in free agency, which is set to begin next week. Below we’ll break down the latest free agency rumors involving the team and news from the NFL scouting combine, which took place last week in Indianapolis, Indiana.

ESPN’s Tim McManus reported late last week that Eagles free agent defensive end Brandon Graham is generating interest from other teams, including the Browns. McManus added that Graham’s preference is to finish his career with the Eagles. However, the sense that McManus is getting is that the veteran is open to signing elsewhere, depending on Philly’s offer. Graham is coming off an excellent 2022 campaign, recording 35 combined tackles, 16 quarterback hits, 11 tackles for loss, 11 sacks (career-high), and two forced fumbles in 17 regular season games after missing most of last season with a torn Achilles. For his efforts and production, the 34-year-old Graham finished fourth in the NFL AP Comeback Player of the Year voting.

Staying on the defensive side of the ball, Eagles free agent safety Marcus Epps is garnering some interest from various teams across the league. Jordan Schultz of The Score reported Sunday that a lot of teams he’s spoken with are enamored by Epps’ elite ability to play the run and quality coverage skills. Epps was one of the Eagles’ full-time starting safeties this season and played well. The 27-year-old defensive back recorded 94 combined tackles (career-high), six pass deflections, four tackles for loss, and a forced fumble. He also had a 73.1 completion percentage allowed on targets and gave up six receiving touchdowns. It will be interesting to see what Epps might get on the open market, as the Eagles could let him walk to prioritize re-signing Chauncey Gardner-Johnson. However, if the price is right, Epps could return to an Eagles’ secondary that will look different next season.

With the Eagles hiring a new defensive coordinator (Desai) and Gannon taking linebackers coach Nick Rallis to Arizona, the team is searching for a new linebackers coach. Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald reported Sunday that former New England Patriots offensive coordinator Matt Patricia has a shot to land with the Eagles, presumably as a linebackers coach. Patricia recently interviewed for the Denver Broncos defensive coordinator gig, which went to Vance Joseph.

Lastly, the Eagles and the rest of the 31 NFL teams headed to Indianapolis last week to watch the future stars of the NFL participate in the 2023 NFL scouting combine. The Eagles head into next’s month draft with two first-round picks, which means they could be busy on Day 1. Philadelphia spoke to a litany of prospects in Indianapolis on both sides of the ball who could be wearing Eagles’ midnight green in the near future. Here are all of the draft prospects they spoke with at the combine:

– UCLA QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson (h/t Devin Jackson of the Philadelphia Inquirer)

– Texas RB Roschon Johnson (h/t Ryan McDowell)

– LSU OL Anthony Bedford (h/t Justin Melo of The Draft Network)

– North Dakota State OL Cody Mauch (h/t Ed Kracz of Eagles Today)

– Florida DT Gervon Dexter (h/t Jeff Risdon of RealGM)

– Oklahoma OT Wanya Morris (h/t Tom Downey of Cowboys Report)

– Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs (h/t Joe Castro of Fanfield Sports)

– TCU RB Kendre Miller (h/t Joe Castro of Fanfield Sports)

– Oklahoma WR Marvin Mims (h/t Joe Castro)

– USC OL Andrew Vorhees (h/t Joe Castro)

– Syracuse OL Matthew Bergeron (h/t Joe Castro)

– Georgia OT Broderick Jones (h/t Joe Castro)