A 4-2 start to open 2016 faded to a 7-9 finish as the Philadelphia Eagles under first year coach Doug Pederson and rookie quarterback Carson Wentz fell back to earth over a stretch in November that doomed any early playoff hopes.
The good thing is, the Eagles seemingly have found their franchise quarterback and as we all know, if you don’t have a quarterback, you have nothing. There was some real work to be done here in the off-season to make a move in the highly competitive NFC East. How did Pederson and general manager Howie Roseman do? Let’s sift through the roster and see.
Free Agents Kept
Najee Goode, Linebacker
Stefan Wisniewski, Offensive Guard/Center
Free Agents/Players Gained
LeGarrette Blount, Running Back, formerly of the New England Patriots
Nick Foles, Quarterback, formerly of the Kansas City Chiefs
Alshon Jeffery, Wide Receiver, formerly of the Chicago Bears
Chris Long, Defensive End, formerly of the New England Patriots
Torrey Smith, Wide Receiver, formerly of the San Francisco 49ers
Chance Warmack, Offensive Guard, formerly of the Tennessee Titans
Timmy Jernigan, Defensive Tackle, acquired in a trade from the Baltimore Ravens
Patrick Robertson, Cornerback, formerly of the Indianapolis Colts
Free Agents/Players Lost
Connor Barwin, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, signed with the Los Angeles Rams
Nolan Carroll, Cornerback, signed with the Dallas Cowboys
Chase Daniel, Quarterback, signed with the New Orleans Saints
Bennie Logan, Defensive Tackle, signed with the Kansas City Chiefs
Aaron Murray, Quarterback, currently a free agent
Dorial Green-Beckham, Wide Receiver, currently a free agent
2017 NFL Draft
Round 1: Derek Barnett, Defensive End, Tennessee
Round 2: Sidney Jones, Cornerback, Washington
Round 3: Rasul Douglas, Cornerback, West Virginia
Round 4: Mack Hollins, Wide Receiver, UNC
Round 4: Donnel Pumphrey, Running Back, San Diego State
Round 5: Shelton Gibson, Wide Receiver, West Virginia
Round 5: Nate Gerry, Safety, Nebraska
Round 6: Elijah Qualls, Defensive Tackle, Washington
Proposed Offensive Starters
QB: Carson Wentz
RB: LeGarrett Blount
WR: Alshon Jeffery
WR: Jordan Matthews
WR: Torrey Smith
TE: Zach Ertz
LT: Jason Peters
RT: Lane Johnson
LG: Allen Barbie
RG: Brandon Brooks
C: Jason Kelce
Offensive Outlook
Alshon Jeffery is the star addition to the Eagles offense, giving Wentz, in his second season, an elite pass catching target. The Eagles landed Jeffery on a one-year, “prove it” deal and since this is probably the best team Jeffery has ever suited up with, for his sake I hope he does. They brought in Torrey Smith too to work the slot and will keep the underrated Jordan Matthews on the outside. Past these three, Nelson Agholor remains an enigma and rookie Mack Hollins will get his shot on plenty of offensive snaps.
The Eagles boast one of the better offensive lines in the sport and this year they’ve got Lane Johnson from the opening snap. They even managed to keep reserve Stefan Wisniewski on the roster as a back up. A few years ago he was one of the hottest offensive line free agents out there.
Philadelphia has made sure they won’t have any issues at running back and are loaded at the position after signing free agent LeGarrette Blount. I’ve plugged Blount in as the starter, but they might go with Ryan Matthews again and let Blount be the touchdown and short-yardage machine he was in New England. Darren Sproles along with Wendall Smallwood provide pass-catching capability out of the backfield.
Wentz’s development is the key to this season. As a rookie, hey laid a solid foundation. In his second season, the Eagles need him to make a leap.
Proposed Defensive Starters
DE: Derek Barnett
DE: Brandan Graham
DT: Timmy Jernigan
DT: Fletcher Cox
OLB: Nigel Bradham
OLB: Mychel Kendricks
MLB: Jordan Hicks
CB: Jalen Mills
CB: Sydney Jones
FS: Malcolm Jenkins
SS: Rodney McCleod
Defensive Outlook
Up front you’ll probably see Chris Long listed as an early starter, but I don’t see any way Derek Barnett doesn’t get that nod after the preseason. He was my top-rated defensive end in this draft and I haven’t changed my mind. Putting him on the same line as a decent Branden Graham (or Long), newly-acquired Timmy Jernigan and star Fletcher Cox could unleash a beast on the NFC East.
Jordan Hicks and Nigel Bradham are better than average linebackers, with Bradham, as an outside linebacker, leading the team with 98 tackles, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, two sacks, five passes defended and one pick. Mychal Kendricks started eight games last year after getting demoted and should at least begin the season back in the line up since Philadelphia did nothing in the draft or free agency to upgrade the position.
Rodney McCleod had a career season at safety for the Eagles, recording 80 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, seven passes defended and three interceptions last year. Malcolm Jenkins is versatile enough to play both safety and corner and team used him at both spots in 2016. Corner is the weak point for this unit. Jalen Mills started just two games last year, but put up a ton of stats as the slot corner. He was fifth on the team in tackles with 61, defended seven passes and picked off two. Rookie Sydney Jones should slide into the other starting spot with journeyman Patrick Robertson manning the slot.
Grade: B-
The Eagles were right in the middle of the stat pack on offense and defense last season. I see a step forward for the offense, but the defense has some issues that the team will need another season to improve and address.
O/U wins: 7.5
Preseason Schedule
Week 1: at Green Bay Packers
Week 2: Buffalo Bills
Week 3: Miami Dolphins
Week 4: at New York Jets
Regular Season Schedule
Week 1: at Washington Redskins
Key game: The Eagles open up on the road against a team vying for a Wild Card spot in the Redskins. If Philadelphia wants to be in it at the end, getting a game lead on Washington could make a real difference come December.
Week 2: at Kansas City Chiefs
Week 3: New York Giants
Week 4: at Los Angeles Chargers
Week 5: Arizona Cardinals
Week 6: at Carolina Panthers
Week 7: Washington Redskins
Week 8: San Francisco 49ers
Week 9: Denver Broncos
Week 10: BYE
Week 11: at Dallas Cowboys
Week 12: Chicago Bears
Week 13: at Seattle Seahawks
Week 14: at Los Angeles Rams
Week 15: at New York Giants
Week 16: Oakland Raiders
Week 17: Dallas Cowboys
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