On The Board

Chalk one up for the Eagles, who on Tuesday evening found themselves on the free agent scoreboard.

The team agreed to terms with cornerback Riq Woolen on a one-year deal worth up to $15 million, a league source confirmed the initial reports from ESPN and others.

The team also netted a pair of tight ends, as a league source confirmed an NFL Media report that the Birds agreed to terms with free-agent blocking tight end Johnny Mundt and other reports that the team is bringing back pass-catching tight end Grant Calcaterra.

Can CB Riq Woolen revive his fleeting career with the Eagles after winning a Super Bowl with Seattle?

Woolen, 26, appeared in 16 games (seven starts) last season for the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, producing 41 tackles, 12 passes defended and an interception across 817 snaps. He logged 49 snaps in Super Bowl LX.

A fifth-round pick in 2022, Woolen started all 17 games as a rookie under then-defensive coordinator (now Eagles defensive line coach) Clint Hurtt, with his six interceptions earning him a Pro Bowl berth. He was also tied for the league lead in interceptions.

While his play over the ensuing three seasons was uneven, Woolen’s elite athleticism, range and ball-hawking tendencies — his resume includes 12 interceptions and 53 passes defended — has always been evident. Playing alongside Eagles tandem All-Pros Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, Woolen will have an opportunity to rekindle his early success.

It remains to be seen how much of Woolen’s contract is actually guaranteed, but his skill set — coupled with the Eagles’ track record of player development — make it worth the swing. For perspective, Woolen provides rare size (6-3) and speed (4.26) for the position and is a smooth mover when in transition. His length — his arm length measured 33 5/8” at the NFL Scouting Combine — tightens throwing windows and aids in his ability to make plays on the football.

In Philadelphia, Woolen joins a young secondary that not only includes Mitchell and DeJean but also second-year safety Drew Mukuba, giving newly minted defensive backs coach Joe Kasper plenty of tools to boost the defensive backfield. Woolen’s arrival also invites optionality, potentially enabling DeJean to moonlight at safety in base.

Throughout the summer and early portion of the season, the second cornerback spot opposite Mitchell was a major question mark without a clear-cut solution. Veteran Adoree’ Jackson, who eventually wrestled the job away from Kelee Ringo and Jakorian Bennett, ultimately took the role, but the Eagles sought an upgrade.

The deal reads as a prove-it deal, and if Woolen maximizes his clean slate in Philadelphia, he stands to reap the financial benefits next offseason when he returns to the table.

As for Mundt, the 31-year-old entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2017 and will join his fourth team. The Oregon product has been sparsely used as a pass-catcher throughout his career — reeling in 74 passes for 658 yards and four touchdowns — but it’s his blocking prowess that’s been his calling card.

While Mundt was a member of the Minnesota Vikings (2022-24), he overlapped with Eagles offensive coordinator Sean Mannion, who then was a Vikings quarterback. The Eagles sorely lacked for a blocking specialist at the position last season and landed one in Mundt.

The Eagles kept adding to the tight end room, re-signing Calcaterra who served as Dallas Goedert’s immediate backup for two seasons but was used sparingly as a receiver. His flaws in run blocking have been well-documented.

While I don’t necessarily fault Calcaterra for the latter, as he was routinely tasked with fulfilling a duty outside of his skill set, his blocking deficiencies clearly contributed to the run game inefficiencies.

A 2022 sixth-round pick, Calcaterra has pulled in 42 receptions for 494 yards and two touchdowns over 62 games (22 starts).

— Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com