Philadelphia Eagles: Taking a Closer Look at the Eagles' Needs This Offseason

After a relatively quiet first two weeks of free agency for the Philadelphia Eagles, it makes sense to go back and analyze needs that still need to be addressed. 

I'm all about keeping things nice and organized. In keeping with those standards, I will go through the team, position by position, and take a look at whether there is room for improvement. 

OFFENSE

Quarterback (High)

People may not see this as a dire need, but the team needs to start thinking about the future. Michael Vick is not getting any younger, and his style of play likely shaves at least one or two years off the remaining seasons he has left. 

The team also doesn't have a quarterback sitting on their bench that they can eventually groom into a quality starter. Both Mike Kafka and Trent Edwards are career second-stringers. 

Andy Reid loves his quarterbacks, so it wouldn't be a surprise if he drafted one in the second or third round in hopes of turning them into a starter or, at the very least, trade bait.

Running Back (Moderate)

LeSean McCoy is one of the best backs in the league, but he won't be breaking any big gains if he's out with an injury. If that happens, it will be up to the backups to carry the rushing game. 

The team has a McCoy clone in Dion Lewis, but he isn't nearly as effective. Instead, the team would do well to draft a power running back to pair with McCoy and Lewis. Someone like free-agent Joseph Addai would fit the bill.

Wide Receiver (Moderate)

DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin and Jason Avant make up a talented trio when healthy, but the team could stand to acquire a big-bodied receiver as well.

People have been connecting the dots and suggesting the team sign Plaxico Burress, but he's only a temporary solution. The draft holds a decent amount of intriguing prospects with nice size, and the team would do well to select one of them with an early-round pick.

Tight End (Low)

The Eagles already have a quality starter in Brent Celek at the tight end position who can block as well as provide an additional weapon on offense. Backing him up is Clay Harbor, who showed some promise last season. 

The team generally doesn't stock up at the position, so it wouldn't make sense to acquire another one with two quality tight ends already on the roster.

Offensive Line (Low)

What little movement the team made early this offseason was primarily done fortifying the offensive line.  Todd Herremans was given a contract extension and free-agent Evan Mathis was re-signed, ensuring that the starting lineup will remain intact until 2014. 

That's definitely good news considering how well the entire line played as the season progressed.  However, Reid loves his linemen, and spending mid-round draft picks on one or two is entirely possible.

DEFENSE

Defensive Line (Moderate)

As far as talent goes, the Eagles have one of the best lines at putting pressure on the quarterback.  Trent Cole and Jason Babin make for a dynamic duo on the outside, and Cullen Jenkins causes mayhem up the middle.

What this team lacks, however, is someone who can simply plug the inside lanes and prevent running backs from doing damage up the middle. There are a few prospects in this year's draft who have the size and strength to clog the running lanes, and the team could absolutely use one of them. 

Linebacker (High)

Yes, the team just traded for middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans, but one guy is not enough to fix a position that was simply dreadful last season. What the Eagles need is both talent and depth, because they lack much of either. 

Ryans will be a force up the middle, and youngster Brian Rolle showed some promise on the weak side, but questions remain as to who will man the strong side next season. Jamar Chaney is an obvious candidate, but he seemed to regress last year. 

Linebacker should still be a priority in the draft, and I fully expect the team to use at least one high pick on the position.

Cornerback (Moderate)

By now, it is almost a guarantee that Asante Samuel will be playing elsewhere next season. This means that there will be a vacancy on the left side. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie could very well fill that spot. I suspect he would do rather well since that's his more natural position (as compared to the slot, where he played most of his snaps last year).

Even if DRC makes a successful jump to the left side, that still leaves the team without a slot cornerback. Drafting a player such as Georgia's Brandon Boykin is crucial.

Safety (High)

Simply put, safety was a disaster last season. Nate Allen shows promise, but there's no one across from him who deserves to be starting at this point. Kurt Coleman is more of a reserve-type player and Jaiquawn Jarrett doesn't yet seem prepared to take on a starting role. 

The team could draft yet another safety in the second round, but that will only leave fans moaning and rolling their eyes. However, they would be wise to at least bring in another safety who would provide competition. Perhaps, that will elevate the play of these young players.