Eagles linked to cornerback Adoree’ Jackson; JuJu Smith-Schuster re-signs with Pittsburgh Steelers

At the very least, the Eagles are starting to be linked to a few free agents.

After starting the week remarkably inactive in this offseason’s free-agency period because of salary cap constraints, the Eagles were named as a “mystery suitor” for one player and an actual potential landing spot for another on Friday.

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According to a report from ESPN, former Titans cornerback Adoree’ Jackson is expected to visit with the Eagles in the coming days. The 2017 first-round pick met with the Giants on Friday and reportedly will visit with the Birds on Monday according to ESPN. Jackson was released by Tennessee earlier this week to avoid his fifth-year option kicking in.

The 25-year-old was sidelined for most of the 2020 season because of a knee injury, but he has started 41 games in four seasons with the Titans. Before last season, he had played well, recording 34 pass breakups, but only two interceptions according to Pro Football Focus.

The Eagles, who saw defensive back Jalen Mills agree to a lucrative contract with the New England Patriots earlier this week, have several holes in their defensive secondary. Darius Slay and Avonte Maddox are the only starters from last year’s group expected to be available for Week 1 next season. Veteran safety Rodney McLeod is recovering from a torn ACL suffered late last season and likely won’t be ready for the first few games of the year.

Jackson, who has experience both on the outside and in the slot, could start opposite Slay, a position that the Eagles struggled to fill last year, especially as injuries racked up. He could also play in the slot, which would free up Maddox to move back to safety, where he played for some time in 2018.

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Jackson’s expected price remains to be seen. William Jackson set the cornerback market on Wednesday, agreeing to a three-year, $40.5 million with the Washington Football Team. The Eagles will likely have to hope Jackson’s price is closer to that of Mike Hilton, who signed a four-year deal worth $24 million with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster agreed to return to the Pittsburgh Steelers on a one-year, $8 million contract, reportedly taking less money to stay with the team that drafted him. ESPN initially reported the Eagles were one of the teams that offered Smith-Schuster a long-term contract for more money, but it was quickly walked back, saying the Eagles’ involvement was limited to Smith-Schuster’s agent calling the team to gauge its interest. According to a league source, the Eagles never made an offer to Smith-Schuster’s camp.

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The Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs were also reportedly interested in signing the former USC standout, but it’s safe to say his market was lighter than expected. Smith-Schuster’s age (24) combined with production -- he had 97 catches for 831 yards and nine touchdowns last year -- would suggest he’d get more than he signed for. By comparison, Corey Davis, 25, had 65 catches for 984 yards and five touchdowns and got a three-year, $37.5 million deal from the New York Jets.

Although general manager Howie Roseman has developed a reputation for making improbable, splashy moves, this one would have been quite hard to project. The Eagles may be under the cap and capable of signing a starter or two on the market, but the path to clearing $10 million plus for one deal is hard to forge.