This offseason has been a rollercoaster for the Philadelphia Eagles. Dwarfed by an emotional goodbye to Nick Foles, it's been filled with smart contract restructures and extensions, partnered with some cheap and cheerful free agent signings. But after such a heavy focus on the trenches took the forefront once more, have the draft needs changed in any way?
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
At the start of the offseason, there was a glaring need at defensive tackle and all along that front four. The signings of Malik Jackson and Vinny Curry, that go hand-in-hand with Brandon Graham's new deal, have seemingly thwarted that, for now.
Malik Jackson, the new running-mate for Fletcher Cox is in his prime at the age of 29 and with experience playing both inside and outside, he could well be regarded as the perfect hybrid replacement for both Bennett and Jernigan.
The big need here is for those clear depth roles. Last season, the Eagles sorely missed Beau Allen and Destiny Vaeao's contributions off the bench, which in 2017 saw the duo play in well over 60% of defensive snaps combined. This time around, it was all down to practice squad promotees to carry the load and with Timmy Jernigan sidelined, salt was being poured into an open wound.
While developmental depth is still going to be a primary focus, as it always should be, the need for starting talent has diminished...and with Howie Roseman continuing to say how historically deep this year's class is on the defensive line, that can only be a good thing when it comes to value. The heart of the draft is beating with dominant pass-rushers...don't be surprised if the Eagles double-dip.
Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
(Continued on pages below)
WIDE RECEIVER
The 'need for speed' has finally been quenched. Bringing DeSean Jackson back was monumental for the Eagles, as highlighted in this Film Room below that shows just how much he's going to inject into the offense.
Jackson clearly steps into the fray as the WR2 alongside Alshon Jeffery, with Nelson Agholor (who still carries a $9M cap hit) at WR3. That could be subject to change, especially if Agholor restructures or the Eagles opt to take a gamble and cash in on the USC product before they can no longer afford to keep him around. But if that happens, the need then opens right back up
There are two, maybe three players who were hurt by the D-Jax signing. Mike Wallace, who suffered an injury last year, and Mack Hollins, who was dealt the same season-ending card. Both players were theorized to play a bigger role in the Eagles offense next season. Wallace suddenly becomes a cut-candidate, if not a backup at the WR2 slot, while Hollins was actually productive from the slot in his rookie season and could be a sleeper pick to make a full-time move inside.
Another name left out in the cold here is Shelton Gibson…although that . has been the case for quite some time. Gibson finally flashed some playmaking potential during the last preseason, but it wasn’t enough to really generate any kind of momentum going into the regular season, despite a complete lack of depth in the early goings.
So, could any of these names either A) Hop in and fill Agholor's boots if he leaves, or B) jump into that rotational role? If not, Braxton Miller drew plenty of praise at the owners meetings..,could he be the guy?
The potential for the Eagles to draft an Andy Isabella or a similar caliber player to me, is quite high. I think that targeting slot wideouts to provide an insurance policy behind Agholor will be a priority, while nurturing Shelton Gibson under DeSean Jackson may, just may, provide enough serenity at WR2 for the long-term.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eN6sLL6a6M
RUNNING BACK
The obvious position that's highlighted in red circle remains running back. Ever since the Birds ended 2018 28th in rushing, with 12 touchdowns, a shade over 1,500 yards and 5 fumbles, it's been an area fans have cried out for. But what's a little surprising is the Eagles brass doubling down on the bodies already in the room.
“We acquired three running backs after the 2017 NFL Draft that helped up win the 2018 Super Bowl.” That's been the line regurgitated by Roseman and Pederson during the NFL owners meetings and they're not exactly wrong.
There's a long time until the start of the season and even though the Birds may have been quiet in free agency, to a point where even Tevin Coleman, a perfect fit on paper, slipped through the cracks, then maybe fans should be comfortable in trusting in what Howie Roseman has planned.
Bizarrely, every season of the Doug Pederson era has kind of followed the same narrative. To begin with, the run-game is virtually nonexistent before one blistering breakout balances the offense. Just as things begin to really pick up, injuries destroy any hopes of sustenance and depth is sorely tested. Whether it’s Ryan Mathews or Jay Ajayi, it’s not as if the Eagles have lacked productive backs, it’s been keeping them on the field that’s the problem.
But the point remains, the Eagles are yet to pay a back any kind of substantial money in this era.
Jay Ajayi? He made $325K in 2017 and $1M one year later.
Wendell Smallwood is set to make $700K in 2019.Corey Clement is set to make $648K in 2019. Josh Adams is set to make $570K in 2019.
So maybe, just maybe, the Eagles feel confident that the injury bug has finally relieved its teeth. And as mentioned in my breakdown below, there are a flurry of schematic fits for the Eagles who will be available deep into day three of the NFL Draft.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgoZFR_0hwU
It's clearly a need based off of what we saw last season, but if we contextualize it just a little, it's hard to pound the table for the only running back with a round 1 grade, given how many are available later on.
SAFETY
As for Safety, the signing of Andrew Sendejo really lifts a weight off the shoulders of Jim Schwartz. Replacing what Corey Graham brought to the table wasn't hard...however, Sendejo posted a career year in 2017 before he suffered a season-ending groin injury against the Eagles one season later. He hits hard, plays down and dirty in the box and has no problem wrapping up bigger ball carriers.
At the very least, it means that if the team were planning to move Avonte Maddox to Safety, he now has a luxury of being 'Jaylen Watkins' in that his youth and versatility can benefit the Eagles in a multitude of ways and if the depth at CB gets too overwhelming, then the explosive DB can help in 3-safety formations while Jenkins cleans up underneath, just as Watkins did with the Eagles in 2017 alongside Graham and McLeod. That in itself just wasn't plausible last year given McLeod's injury and a complete lack of depth.
If the Eagles expect to draft one highly, expect Nasir Adderley, Darnell Savage, or Chauncey Garnder-Johnson to be the hot names that will likely hint that Maddox stays at Safety.
OFFENSIVE LINE
On the offensive line, the contract extensions to Seumalo and Kelce helped really bolster the group to ensure that all five starters return for a second season, with the entire group spending their third season together. It's absolutely incredible to see such commitment to the trenches that will only expedite the growth of Jordan Mailata and Matt Pryor.
However, if the Eagles are going to draft along the trenches, it's going to be an offensive tackle. Outside of Vaitai, the dip in immediate impact is quite significant, at least as of right now. Vaitai has been serviceable during his time with the Eagles, but if Jason peters were to suffer an injury, he still needs some extra help from pulling-guards or the occasional tight end. It's how he was able to keep Everson Griffen quiet in the NFC Championship game, after all.
If the Eagles fell in love with let's say, Tytus Howard, or a high-ceiling tackle who can really blossom under Jeff Stoutland, I think they'd take him in the heart of the draft. But there is no pressing need to draft a tackle with one of the team's first three picks.
LINEBACKER
To me, it all comes down to linebacker. L.J Fort's special teams presence and fine form in Pittsburgh bring great value to the Eagles, but he will likely be competing with Paul Worrilow for a depth role. Andrew Sendejo's 'in-the-box' play does take the strain off in 'big dime' formations, but the loss of Jordan Hicks is a very tough one.
There's an obvious need for a new middle linebacker to captain their defense, with Bradham leading the outside and a combo of Kamu Grugier-Hill and Nate Gerry captaining the other, but will they draft a new leader of the Animal Kingdom or source one elsewhere?
The Eagles have had such a strong offseason that to me, taking a top-tier linebacker like Devin Bush Jr just makes too much sense now as it's the only position left screaming for a starter and outside of Fort, free agency has been quiet.
Sure, they could attack running back, but they haven't drafted a back in the first two rounds since LeSean McCoy. Linebacker is the only spot on this roster where I feel the need for an instant impact player who can develop into a key fixture, is so prominent.
But what do you think? Should the Eagles be looking to upgrade the linebacker spot in the first round of the NFL Draft? Let me know below!
