NFL Insider Adam Caplan of Sirius NFL Radio helps us preview free agency by providing the top players available at each position. In addition, we look at each player's career to date and whether that player could end up finding a home with the Eagles. The series begins with a look at the quarterbacks ...
1. Joe Flacco, Baltimore - Ht: 6-6, Wt: 245, Age: 28, Exp: 5
Career: The first-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens in 2008 gambled by not signing a long-term deal prior to the start of this season, but will cash in big time after leading the Ravens to a Super Bowl crown. He has not missed a game in his career. His regular season numbers have been consistent, but in this year's playoffs he took his game to another level throwing 11 touchdowns against no interceptions for a 117.2 passer rating.
Fit: He'll command a big-money contract, that is assuming Baltimore doesn't reach a long-term deal first or slap the franchise tag on him. If the Ravens only placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Flacco, the Eagles would certainly consider the price of a lucrative contract plus two first-round picks as Flacco certainly is franchise quarterback.
2. Matt Moore, Miami - Ht: 6-3, Wt: 216, Age: 28, Exp: 5
Career: Spot starter for three years in Carolina. Finally got his chance to be a full-time starter 2011 and threw for nearly 2,500 yards with 16 touchdowns against nine interceptions. However, Moore was relegated to backup when Ryan Tannehill was drafted in first round last season.
Fit: Reports indicate that Moore wants to sign somewhere he'll have the opportunity to be the starter and without a lot of depth in this free agency class he should get that opportunity, but it's not likely going to be in Philadelphia.
3. Brian Hoyer, Arizona - Ht: 6-2, Wt: 215, Age: 27, Exp: 4
Career: Spent three seasons as a backup in New England to Tom Brady. Last year, Hoyer signed with the Steelers and was claimed off waivers at the end of the year by Arizona. He started his first career game against the 49ers in Week 17. He passed for 225 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
Fit: Has the potential to be a No. 2 quarterback and reports indicate that's how a number of teams view him. Hard to see a fit for him with Eagles with the current depth chart.
4. Chase Daniel, New Orleans - Ht: 6-0, Wt: 225, Age: 26, Exp: 3
Career: The backup to Drew Brees in New Orleans for the past four seasons has thrown nine career passes. Daniel was Jeremy Maclin's quarterback at Missouri.
Fit: The Saints want to keep Daniel as the backup to Brees. Known as a smart player with good accuracy, Daniel could get a look elsewhere to be a starter.
5. Brady Quinn, Kansas City - Ht: 6-3, Wt: 235, Age: 28, Exp: 6
Career: Former first-round pick of the Browns in 2007. Was traded to the Broncos after three unspectacular seasons. Was released after not playing in Denver for two years. Signed with Chiefs last season. Started 10 games and threw two touchdowns against eight interceptions for a 60.1 passer rating.
Fit: None. Showed potential in college, but it hasn't carried over to the NFL. Dennis Dixon is already getting the chance to rejuvenate his career here.
6. Matt Leinart, Oakland - Ht: 6-5, Wt: 225, Age: 29, Exp: 6
Career: A former top-10 selection who started as a rookie in Arizona, but eventually was benched in favor of Kurt Warner, who took the Cardinals to the Super Bowl. Signed with Houston in 2011. Had the chance to start one game before suffering a season-ending collarbone injury. Re-surfaced in Oakland and played in two games off the bench before being surpassed by Terrelle Pryor on the depth chart.
Fit: Leinart has good size, but doesn't have a strong arm. Shame he suffered the injury in Houston. That was likely his best shot at breaking through.
7. Tyler Thigpen, Buffalo - Ht: 6-1, Wt: 218, Age: 28, Exp: 6
Career: Seventh-round pick of the Vikings in 2007. Ended up in Kansas City where he got the chance to start in 2008. In 11 games, he threw for 2,608 yards with 18 touchdowns against 12 picks. Ended up in Miami in 2009 and spent the past two seasons as a backup with Bills.
Fit: Thigpen ran the pistol offense in his one year as a starter with the Chiefs. From an athleticism standpoint, Thigpen would make sense. However, Thigpen couldn't build on the success he had because he was limited as a thrower.
8. Derek Anderson, Carolina - Ht: 6-6, Wt: 235, Age: 29, Exp: 8
Career: Became the starter in Cleveland in 2007 and enjoyed his best NFL season with nearly 3,800 yards passing, 29 touchdowns against 19 interceptions. The Browns won 10 games that year, but just missed the playoffs. Last got the chance to start in Arizona in 2010, but went 2-7 in nine starts. Spent past two seasons as a backup in Carolina.
Fit: Appears to be headed back to Cleveland with Browns new head coach and former Panthers offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski, according to a report. Claimed on his Facebook page that he wants to return to a familiar place to take care of some unfinished business.
9. Jason Campbell, Chicago - Ht: 6-5, Wt: 230, Age: 31, Exp: 8
Career: A former first-round pick of the Redskins, Campbell showed flashes - especially against the Eagles it seemed - but was allowed to leave after a lackluster 2009 season where Washington went 4-12. In 2010, Campbell signed with Oakland where he went 7-5 in 12 starts. He got off to a good start in 2011 leading the Raiders to a 4-2 mark before a collarbone injury ended his season. Last season, he was the backup to Jay Cutler in Chicago and was battered in his one start vs. the 49ers.
Fit: Tough position for Campbell last season going against the 49ers defense with the Bears offensive line, which struggled all season. Still, Campbell has been known for taking care of the football during his career. Another veteran who would be best served in a backup situation at this stage of his career.
10. Byron Leftwich, Pittsburgh - Ht: 6-5, Wt: 250, Age: 33, Exp: 10
Career: Former first-round pick of the Jaguars in 2003, Leftwich guided Jacksonville to the playoffs in 2005 after going 8-3 as a starter in the regular season. Leftwich hasn't won as a starter since the 2006 season. Played as the top backup in Pittsburgh since 2010.
Fit: Dixon said that Leftwich served as a mentor to him while in Pittsburgh. The fact that the Eagles signed Dixon over Leftwich and that the Steelers reportedly want to draft a younger backup this year speaks volumes.
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