With the NFL Draft being held in under a month and the not regular season set to start until September, here is a far too early look at some big issues that the Eagles face heading into next season.
Can they keep Carson Wentz healthy?
This is clearly the biggest concern for the Eagles heading into the new season. Having let Nick Foles walk, the Eagles have pushed their chips to the middle of the table and are all in on Wentz (and rightfully so in my mind). With 2 significant injuries in as many years, added to a serious wrist injury during his college career, Wentz will surely be keen to shed the ‘injury-prone’ tag that has been given to him.
Compounding this is the somewhat aging and new-look offensive line, which will be tasked with keeping Wentz, clean during game-time. With the re-signing of Jason Peters, the Eagles will be banking on the 37-year-old to not lose a step and stay healthy, something he has struggled to do.
Brandon Brooks is coming off an Achilles tear and the departure of Stefen Wisnewski in free agency means the Eagles are also relying on increased playing time and growth of rotational players such as Isaac Seumalo, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Matt Pryor and maybe even Jordan Mailata
Adding offensive weapons during the offseason like DeSean Jackson should help open the field up for Wentz and speed up his release, removing his vulnerability to take hits as he did far too often last season. The most recent addition of Jordan Howard at running back should also allow Wentz to hand the ball off more consistently and reliably during a game. Whether Doug Pederson and Offensive Coordinator Mike Groh stay consistent with the run game is another question, but Howard is more likely to be trusted by the coaching staff as the bell cow in first down and short yardage situations, rather than smaller backs like Clement, Smallwood and Sproles.
Continued on the pages below.
Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Adding youth and
depth at key defensive positions
The Eagles boast some pro-bowl and all-pro talent on defense, and the big names like Cox, Jenkins, and Graham jump off the depth chart. Despite this there are still several holes that need to be addressed on defense, especially given how banged up the unit was last year and with multiple players coming off major offseason surgeries. Linebacker presents the most glaring hole and despite the addition of L.J Fort in free agency the Eagles haven’t had consistent play from their number 2 linebacker since the departure of Mychal Kendricks. With Nigel Bradham reaching 30, albeit still playing well, depth and youth linebacker could be valued. Since the position is not overly valued by the Eagles front office look for the Eagles to draft a linebacker on Day 2 or 3, as the talent level at the position severely drops after Devin White and Devin Bush Jr.
Despite adding Malik Jackson, the defensive line could also benefit from added youth in the draft. In a ‘historic’ D-line draft as noted by Howie Roseman, don’t be surprised if the Eagles take the best player available approach to improve the D-line at pick 25, or they may even move up in the draft if a top prospect like Ed Oliver falls far enough.
Interestingly, the somewhat maligned secondary is a shining light when it comes to youth and depth. With starters Jalen Mills, Ronald Darby and Rod McLeod all returning, coupled with the emergence of Avonte Maddox and CreVon LeBlanc and the ever-reliable captain Malcolm Jenkins, the secondary seems sneaky-underrated heading into the season. Of course, adding a safety in the draft could be helpful, given Jenkins age and McLeod coming off an MCL tear, but the positive signs are there.
Can the Eagles
ignore the outside noise?
Again, this concern revolves around the move to solidify
Caron Wentz as ‘THE guy’. We all saw what happened when Nick Foles came in last
year and the team’s performances turned around for the better. The Eagles made
the playoffs and even won a game, but with every win led by Foles, Carson Wentz
leadership and ability to stay on the field was further scrutinized by the
media. With Foles out of the building, the pressure is solely on Wentz to
establish himself as the spearhead of the team.
Doug Pederson directly addressed this at the NFL Coaches and Owners Meetings, saying that Wentz next step is to grow and evolve as a leader of the whole team, not solely the offense. Pederson did mention it was ‘in Wentz’s DNA’ to be the leader a team can rally around. The fact that Pederson is addressing this already, so early on, means there is clearly some validation to the concerns of Wentz leadership dynamic compared to Foles’.
If the Eagles come out firing to start the season, then the issue is put to bed and the team will rally around Wentz. BUT, if there are early season struggles, poor play from Wentz or even altercations with teammates, then rest assured the media scrutiny and the talk of locker room shrines dedicated to Foles will resurface and potentially throw the team into further disarray.
Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
