Ranking the Eagles' 7 Most Important Pending Free Agents

3. Fletcher Cox

Jalen Carter is the heir apparent on the interior, and Jordan Davis made some real strides in 2023, but it's clear that the defense hasn't evolved past needing Fletch Cox just yet.

After a terrific start to the year, Davis really started to struggle down the stretch and PFF didn't grade Davis (70.9) much better than Milton Williams (70.4). Neither were terrible, but they also couldn't keep pace with Cox' 76.5 grade. Carter was the Eagles' highest-graded defender at 87.4, but he can't do it all himself.

As he gets older, you expect Cox to probably factor in more as a situational pass-rusher. But he was great as a rusher and as a run-stopper, ranking 21st overall among 130 interior D-linemen that PFF graded.

And of course, one thing PFF grades don't account for is locker room presence and leadership. This Eagles team is at a crossroads. In hindsight, the 2023 collapse can end up looking like one of two things: a minor hiccup that the franchise used as a rallying point to turn things around and find greatness again, or the beginning of a swift downfall that leads to another rebuild.

Continuity with your veterans, especially when they're still positive contributors on the field, will go a long way to making it the former. Cox has been through ups and downs with this team, and he will help right the ship if we keep him in Philly.