It is hard not to be impressed with what the Philadelphia Eagles have accomplished this spring. Beginning with a roster with very few holes and a less-than-stellar cap situation, the Eagles are among the teams that improved the most this offseason. Whether by resigning hometown favorites, bringing back some familiar faces, adding some exciting free agents or hitting home runs in the draft, Howie Roseman and the Philadelphia front office spoiled Philly fans in 2019. Some moves snatched headlines, while others flew under the radar and although we hope all the new, or not-so-new additions will make their mark, it's fair to question who will make the greatest impact?
The Philly Sports Network team weighs in:
Liam Jenkins: Zach Brown fills a huge need and comes with an affordable price tag.
It’s difficult to say what the most significant off season move has been as of right now. If we revisit this in five years, there’s a good chance that move will be trading up to select Andre Dillard, heir to the left tackle throne. We may also be looking at Miles Sanders as the next great Philadelphia running back. As of this very moment though, I really feel that the most significant move has been the signing of Zach Brown. Losing Jordan Hicks was a major blow and we know that the Eagles don’t value the linebacker position in the draft. Bringing in a roaming missile who is prolific in run defense, and a man who is about as secure as one could ask for as a tackler, for just $1.5M? It’s a steal.
He still posted 69 tackles despite playing with an oblique injury all year long and of course we all know he became a PFF darling in terms of his coverage grade. The Eagles love to run nickel and dime packages and I think that having Jenkins and Brown on the field at the same time is going to force offenses to run in the direction of Jenkins, giving Brown that freedom to dart to the ball and make a play. This will be very, very reminiscent of the Patrick Robinson signing from two years ago…and look how that turned out.
Bryan Cameron: Drafting Miles Sanders was a move for 2019 and beyond.
A key move the Eagles made this offseason was probably the most necessary move in order for them to truly make another run for a Super Bowl title. This offseason the front office took initiative in adding much-needed firepower to their running back group.
Jordan Howard was the first step in the right direction. The Eagles added the former Bears back via trade for a 2020 sixth-round pick. Since entering the league, The newly acquired running back has the third most rushing yards of any running back in the league. The only two backs he’s behind is Todd Gurley and Ezekiel Elliott.
Howie Roseman made sure he followed up Howard’s thunderous play by adding some lightning to the mix. With the 53rd pick of the NFL Draft, the Eagles then selected Penn State running back Miles Sanders.
Miles Sanders is an interesting pick but the most necessary. He has great lead back potential and could be the running back of Coach Pederson’s dreams. Sanders doesn’t have much wear and tear on him due to the fact that he only played one season. Even though, in that season Sanders made sure people saw the unlimited potential he would bring to the league.
With these two additions, the Eagles may have solidified their running back group for years to come. Paired with healthy Corey Clement, defenses may be left scrambling on how to stop the Eagles run. It also ensures the health of Wentz by the reduced stress and pressure he’ll be facing now.
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Morgan Burkett: Re-signing Timmy Jernigan will prove to be the best move Howie made all year.
The two Jacksons -- Malik and Desean -- will undoubtedly be given the most attention when football is in full swing in September. Having a legitimate superstar to plug alongside Fletcher Cox on passing downs will have an immediate and long-lasting effect on Jim Schwartz' aggressive defense. However, it is another name at the defensive tackle position that will have the greatest impact on the defense in 2019, and he was already on the roster.
During the Eagles 2017 Superbowl run, Roseman decided the Eagles couldn't wait any longer to extend Jernigan after the impact he had made playing beside Fletcher Cox. At the time, Timmy held PFF's 16th best overall DT grade (86.2), 13th run grade (86.5) and 16th best pass rush productivity (6.8%). The 4-year $48 million dollar deal seemed like a hefty price to pay, but the former Baltimore Raven would prove himself a necessity securing the franchise's first Super Bowl. Playing 47.86% of the team's defensive snaps, he ended the season with 29 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, two and a half sacks and eight quarterback hits. During this year's playoff run, Jim Schwartz reiterated Jernigan's importance to the team:
He's a guy that has a little bit of a contagious energy. You just see him on the field -- he brings confidence. He brings toughness.
Then came the summer of 2018. An MRI would reveal that Timmy had suffered a significantly herniated cervical disk that would keep him out for 13 games. The Eagles added veteran Haloti Ngata and gave some young players a chance to try to fill the void left by Jernigan's injury. Accordingly, Philadelphia dropped from the best run defense in the league allowing only 79.2 yards per game to 7th, allowing 96.9. Fletcher Cox was forced to play 79.96% of the defensive snaps (up from 58.93% in 2017) and had his best year, but was clearly gassed for portions of the season. Jernigan would come back in the last three games of the season (two tackles, one tackle for loss, one quarterback hit), but never hit his stride.
Last year I was on the field after working out just six times . . I ran on the field two times and I was back.
Howie Roseman decided the risk of re-injury made Jernigan's current contract too rich, but the team was able to bring him back on a 1 year $2 million contract that could be worth $3 million with incentives. In 2019, Timmy may have to vie for snaps with new addition Malik Jackson, but their play styles couldn't be more complimentary. A master at getting to the quarterback, Jackson will feast on interior offensive lineman with fresh legs while Jernigan does the hard work on early downs and clear rushing situations. This defense is at it's best when opponents are forced to drop back and pass the football. Malik adds to strength -- putting pressure on the passer -- but Timmy maintains it's identity. He may be the best "backup" DT in the league.
Everybody on this team, every coach, everybody who has anything to do with the organization, whoever watched me play, they know when I'm healthy, they know how I'm coming.
Chris Infante: The first big move the Eagles made was their best.
The Eagles made plenty of moves this offseason that can be deemed as my most favorite, however one stands out to me above all of them.
The decision to resign Brandon Graham has been, by far, my favorite move. Since 2006, out of every pass rusher who has had 2,000 or more pass rushing snaps, Graham ranks second only to Von Miller in win percentage with 18.6%, according to ProFootballFocus. He had the fifth most quarterback pressures in the league last season with 77. He’s eclipsed 50 QB pressures in each season since 2014, joining only three other edge defenders.
Sure the return of DJax is great, adding Jordan Howard was critical, and the draft was strong, but keeping a key piece in the relentless attack of the Eagles’ defensive line was the most important move out of them all.
