Since my first predictions on January 29th, a lot has transpired for the Eagles:
Paul Worrilow resigned
Rodney McLeod restructured his contract
Jake Elliot resigned
Rick Lovato resigned
Chris Maragos was released
Brandon Graham, Jason Kelce, and Isaac Seumalo signed contract extensions
Michael Bennett was traded to the Patriots (not official until March 12th at 4 pm)
Once the Bennett trade is official, the Eagles will have close to $27 million in cap space, a far cry from the negative $15 million they had once the offseason began.
A couple more moves can be made to create even more space:
Nelson Agholor trade/cut or restructure of his contract
Chris Long retirement
If Long does retire, the team saves a little more than $5 million in space space
With all of that cap room, what is Howie going to do once free agency begins? How will the roster look after this offseason? Buckle up kiddos, it's #HowieSZN
Offense
There are a lot of holes on the offense, but it's nothing that can't be quickly fixed through free agency and/or the draft.
Quarterbacks
Carson Wentz, Nate Sudfeld, late round developmental QB (Easton Stick?)
Wentz is our quarterback now and for the next decade. There's no questioning that and if you need to remember who he was, check out our reintroduction of Wentz.
Nate Sudfeld is technically a restricted free agent, but he expects to be tendered a contract to remain with the team. He will be the clear frontrunner for the back-up job, unless the Eagles bring in an established veteran for that job.
The Eagles are all about developing quarterbacks. The third string position would be perfect for a draft pick to come in and be that project. Easton Stick, quarterback from North Dakota State, has been open about reuniting with former North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz. Working with Wentz again would be a great thing for Stick and help his development into a competent NFL quarterback
Running Backs
Tevin Coleman, Darren Sproles, Corey Clement, Wendell Smallwood
The case for Le'Veon Bell to come to the Eagles was made, but he ignored it and went to the Jets.
That doesn't mean the Eagles will be without a running back who fits Doug Pederson's offense perfectly.
Enter Tevin Coleman, who is being looked at by the Eagles:
https://twitter.com/975TheFanatic/status/1104057795580710912
Coleman is young, 25, and averages 4.4 yards per carry in his career. He also caught 32 passes last season, an attribute crucial to have in an Eagles running back. He won't be the workhorse that Eagles fans are clamoring for, but he will eat up a bulk of the snaps and allow for the other rotational backs to get more rest.
Darren Sproles is currently a free agent and close to retiring, he hasn't declared whether or not he is definitely returning. But if he does decide to return, the Eagles would almost certainly bring him back on a one year deal to retire an Eagle and move into the top five all-time in all purpose yards (currently 162 yards away from Tim Brown).
Corey Clement was placed on IR before week 14 and could miss offseason workouts as he recovers from a knee injury. He is currently under contract for one more year so it makes sense to allow him to recover and regain his roster spot.
Wendell Smallwood was the Eagles' snap count leader for running backs in 2018. When he runs with authority, he cannot be brought down. However he does have a knack for wearing down as he gets more carries so he is best suited for a situational role on the offense.
Wide Receivers
*#HOWIESZN ALERT*
Alshon Jeffery, Nelson Agholor, DeSean Jackson, early round draft pick, Mack Hollins, Shelton Gibson
Alshon Jeffery will be an Eagle for the rest of his career. His contract runs through 2021, his age 31 season, and don't be surprised if he continues to sign small extensions until he retires.
Nelson Agholor has been the subject of uncertainty this offseason as many people are questioning his $9 million cap hit. Take a look at his response at a reporter doing such questioning:
https://twitter.com/nelsonagholor/status/1104126110856441856
I believe the Eagles and Agholor find a way to restructure his contract so the young wide receiver can continue to build on his slow starting career.
Reports emerged early Monday morning that the Buccaneers are shopping wide receiver DeSean Jackson and that the Eagles are his preferred destination. Currently fourth on the Eagles' all-time receiving yards list, it makes all the sense in the world for the Eagles to trade for Jackson.
UPDATE: Obviously the trade went down before this published, but I'm keeping this here to remind myself that I was correct.
The Eagles are in dire need of a speed receiver and Jackson still has that trait, leading the entire league in 2018 with 18.9 yards per reception. Also, you cannot tell me you don't want to see this again:
Although Jackson would be a welcome addition, the Eagles do need to spend some draft capital on a young wide receiver that can make an immediate impact, but doesn't need to be THE guy yet. Spending one of their second round picks on a receiver (Deebo Samuel, Parris Campbell) would meet that criteria and allow the rookie to learn from some of the best wide receivers in the NFL.
Mack Hollins is coming off a groin injury that sidelined him all of 2018. Once healed, he will provide solid depth behind the starters and hopefully develop into the deep threat we've all been waiting to see from him. (He'll also have to give up that #10 once Jackson arrives).
Shelton Gibson set preseason on fire in 2018, finishing second in the league with 195 yards receiving. However, his regular season was filled with all of one catch for 48 yards despite appearing in 15 games. He's supremely talented and can help out in the return game, let's just hope he gets put into the game plan more often.
Tight Ends
Zach Ertz, Dallas Goedert, Will Tye
No surprises here for the most part. Record setting tight end, upcoming star tight end, and a guy who didn't play in 2018 but showed promise in his two years with the Giants in 2015 and 2016. Don't be surprised if the Eagles draft a tight end to stash on practice squad.
Offensive Line
Jason Peters, Isaac Seumalo, Jason Kelce, Brandon Brooks, Matt Pryor, Lane Johnson, Jordan Mailata, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, mid-round draft pick
Peters restructured his deal WITH A PAY CUT. Seumalo and Kelce both signed extensions. Brooks is recovering from an Achilles injury but the declined option on Stefen Wisniewski suggests Brooks is progressing well. Lane Johnson is another "Eagle for Life". Pryor and Vaitai serve as serviceable backups. I also expect the Eagles to spend a mid-round pick on a lineman.
Jordan Mailata showed a lot of promise during preseason, but he did not appear in a regular season game. Transitioning from rugby, there was little hope that he would even make the roster. But his progress bodes well for his status on this roster and could quite possibly be the left tackle of the future.
Defensive Line
Fletcher Cox, Brandon Graham, Derek Barnett, Malik Jackson, Treyvon Hester, Josh Sweat, second round draft pick, mid-round draft pick
Fletcher Cox will be here forever. So will Brandon Graham.
Derek Barnett ended the season on IR after shoulder surgery in October. He has loads of talent and is poised for a huge year with more playing time.
#HOWIESZN
Howie Roseman started free agency started off with a bang with the signing of former Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Malik Jackson. You can look at how he fits here, but this is a great signing and the 2019 opposing QBs should be shaking.
Treyvon Hester was the hero of the game versus the Chicago Bears, when he tipped kicker Cody Parkey's would-be game winning field goal. The Eagles like what they see from him and could give him a larger role next season.
Josh Sweat played in nine games last season and only registered one tackle. However, he has immense talent and should be able to showcase it next season.
Despite the signing of Jackson, I still expect the Eagles to draft two defensive linemen in the draft. With one of their second round picks and one with a mid-round pick. This will allow the Eagles to continue their rotational game plan and develop an elite pass rusher behind their already stacked defensive line.
Linebacker
Nigel Bradham, Kamu Grugier-Hill, Nate Gerry, Paul Worrilow, first round draft pick
Bradham has been worth every penny of the extension he signed last March, and with Jordan Hicks signing with the Cardinals, he is the undisputed leader of the linebacker corps.
Grugier-Hill had a very solid year for the team in 2018, totaling 45 tackles. He did drop a costly interception against the Cowboys, but he was playing with one hand so we'll let that slide.
Nate Gerry was hurt most of the year but has shown flashes of great ability. He should provide solid depth.
Paul Worrilow resigned this offseason after missing all of 2018 with a torn ACL. He is a few years removed from his 143-tackle season in 2014, but he has the pedigree of a greta linebacker and a healthy 2019 season would be a great thing for the linebacker corps.
With the loss of Hicks to the Arizona Cardinals, linebacker depth is a major need for the Eagles. I believe this solidifies the first round pick being a linebacker. Enter Devin Bush Jr. You can see more about him here, but the dude would fit this defense perfectly.
Secondary
Malcolm Jenkins, Rodney McLeod, Jalen Mills, Cre'Von LeBlanc, Sidney Jones, Rasul Douglas, Avonte Maddox, mid round draft pick safety, Ronald Darby
14 different players played a snap on defense in the secondary last season. FOURTEEN. Injuries hit this team hard. However, 2019 looks to be a much healthier year and this young group will grow to a very solid unit.
Ironman Malcolm Jenkins played every. single. snap. in 2018 and will lead our young Avengers once again.
Rodney McLeod restructured his deal to stay with the team and will be a very welcomed re-addition to the secondary. Jalen Mills and Sidney Jones will try to prove their health and ability. Avonte Maddox and Rasul Douglas will be there to build on their strong 2018 seasons. Captain Cre'Von LeBlanc will be there to do more of this:
https://twitter.com/BlueDudeSports/status/1084629470718377984
and this:
https://twitter.com/PFF/status/1105570927717302278
Finally, I think Ronald Darby returns on a team friendly deal. He tore his ACL in November but will be healthy come training camp. Keeping him with this group could provide huge dividends for the secondary.
Specialists
Cameron Johnston, Jake Elliot, Rick Lovato
No surprises here.
Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports
