Each day from now until March 7, the day before teams can talk to agents for free agents, Geoff Mosher and Reuben Frank will profile some of the NFL’s top impending free agents and project their likelihood of signing with the Eagles.
Matt Shaughnessy, defensive end
Age: 27
Height: 6-5
Weight: 260
Last team: Arizona Cardinals
Scouting report
Shaughnessy, a third-round pick of the Raiders out of Wisconsin in 2009, played all 16 games and started 12 for the Cardinals last year under coordinator Todd Bowles, the former Eagles coordinator. He’s not an every-down player, but he excelled against the run and finished with three sacks. Eagles fans may remember the controversial 3rd-and-4 holding penalty on Shaughnessy against Zach Ertz that allowed the Eagles to run out the clock of a 24-21 win against Arizona. For his career, Shaughnessy has 18.5 sacks in 67 games and three forced fumbles. Pro Football Focus rated him as the NFL’s 34th-best 3-4 defensive end, but fifth-best against the run. The Eagles were reportedly interested in signing Shaughnessy last year a few weeks into free agency.
Geoff’s projection
The Eagles already have an excellent run stuffer at defensive end. His name is Cedric Thornton, who just signed a one-year deal. If Shaughnessy is willing to be a rotational backup, he’d be a good fit. The team is probably losing Clifton Geathers in free agency and can't be sure Joe Kruger, a seventh-round pick who spent his rookie year on IR, is good enough to win a roster spot. PluDamion Square is more of an interior tackle. Depth never hurts, so adding Shaughnessy on a one-year deal would be a smart move.
Reuben’s projection
Shaughnessy is another one of those under-the-radar free agents that might garner a yawn or an, “Ummm, who?” from Eagles fans if he signs but could actually be a productive role player. The Eagles need depth up front, and Shaughnessy is a solid run-stuffing 3-4 end who has some pass-rush ability. He’s a former mid-round pick who’s never played for a playoff team and has only started 41 games in five years, but if he comes with a low price-tag, he’s the kind of obscure guy who could help.