NFL Team Previews: Philadelphia Eagles
With the second team in the NFC East, I will be doing the Philadelphia Eagles, with Howie Roseman as the general manager and Doug Pederson as the new head coach. This year seems to be a transitional year for the Eagles, but down the line these two face a lot of pressure after pulling off a blockbuster trade to acquire QB Carson Wentz with the second overall pick. After finishing 7-9 and second in the division, the Eagles will likely take a step back after transitioning out of whatever Chip Kelly was doing the last few years.
DRAFT RECAP: Obviously, trading up with the Cleveland Browns to get Carson Wentz was a risky move. For one, Cleveland is a team with more of a need at quarterback than Philadelphia, yet they were willing to pass on either Wentz or Jared Goff (who went #1). Two, next year's quarterback crop led by Clemson QB Deshaun Watson is a lot better. And finally, you'd think teams would have learned from the Robert Griffin III deal back in 2012, yet here we are. It may end up being worth it, but he's essentially all that comes out of this draft class. The Eagles gave up their second round pick, but selected C Isaac Seumalo in the third round. Due to the relatively in place offensive line this upcoming season, it looks like it's a redshirt year for Seumalo. In the fifth round, the Eagles selected running back Wendell Smallwood from West Virginia and OT Halapoulivaaiti Vaitai from TCU.
FREE AGENCY: The Eagles had a pretty busy offseason, and they spent a good sum of money too. They signed G Brandon Brooks away from Houston with a $40 million deal, and I don't blame Houston for letting him walk at that price. They also brought in FS Rodney McLeod from the then St. Louis Rams, and both should be in line to start. They brought in OLB Nigel Bradham and CB Ron Brooks from the Buffalo Bills, and they are both going to be fighting for a starting role this year. C Stephen Wisniewski was brought in from Jacksonville, but will likely backup Jason Kelce. WR Rueben Randle was taken from the rival New York Giants, and he gives the Eagles another receiving threat. Finally, the most puzzling move was signing QB Chase Daniel to a three year, $21 million deal. Why? You're already paying the incumbent Sam Bradford enough, and you were planning on drafting Wentz. This move makes no sense, as he'll likely never start.
PLAYERS LOST: The only notable Eagle lost in free agency was DE Cedric Thornton, and he ended up signing with the Dallas Cowboys. The Eagles did make a few trades, however, including sending RB DeMarco Murray to the Tennessee Titans, who turned out to be a mistake and was probably a product of the Dallas O-Line. The Eagles also traded away CB Byron Maxwell and ILB Kiko Alonso to the Miami Dolphins, and both will be missed this season. FS Walter Thurmond and ILB DeMeco Ryans are also free agents still. Finally, incumbent QB Sam Bradford requested a trade after the team selected Wentz, and I understand why nobody executed a trade. That is a request by a guy who has had everything handed to him, despite being injury prone, and has underachieved and is overrated. He's making too much to start on the bench, but he'll move there soon and be gone after this season. (I know he's not gone yet, but I wanted to comment on this)
STRONGEST POSITION: I'd say the pass catchers at this point are the strongest. For one, you have two solid tight ends to throw to in Zach Ertz and Brent Celek, although Celek is getting up there in age. You have WR Jordan Matthews, who got off to a slow start but finished off strong last season, newly signed Rueben Randle, and last year's first round pick in Nelson Agholor. It's not the greatest group of receivers, but it's enough to not be able to take blame for a potential lack of passing game.
WEAKEST POSITION: I'll have to go with inside linebacker here, until things figure out. Jordan Hicks took over after the Eagles lost Kiko Alonso to injury, and should be in line for an addition to his breakout season. But, the Eagles lost both starters from last season (at this point, Ryans is a free agent) and don't really have an answer at the other ILB position. It will surely be an interesting battle to watch in the preseason, but if I were the Eagles, I'd bring Ryans back for one more season.
FIVE MOST IMPORTANT PLAYERS TO THE EAGLES SUCCESS: QB Sam Bradford, LT Jason Peters, DT Fletcher Cox, FS Malcolm Jenkins, WR Jordan Matthews. Bradford could become irrelevant later this season, but at this point, he's the starter, and needs to act like a team leader. LT Jason Peters is a longtime fixture on the Eagles, and actually is a team leader. DT Fletcher Cox is the anchor of the defensive front, and FS Malcolm Jenkins is expected to hold the secondary together after a bit of turnover this offseason. WR Jordan Matthews needs to start strong and finish strong this year, not just start strong.
PREDICTION: I think the Eagles are the worst team in the division at this point, and with all the QB drama and turnover, I wouldn't expect less. It's a rebuilding year, and I think the Eagles will end up 5-11.
