Projecting Philadelphia Eagles' Depth Chart After Peak of Free Agency
One thing is for certain, and that is despite the many moves the Philadelphia Eagles have made this offseason, there isn't a whole lot of clarity on the depth chart.
Between the many players recovering from injuries, the glaring holes that still exist in certain areas and the constant wondering which player or players might be traded next, it's difficult to project the Eagles' starting lineup for opening day. That doesn't even make mention of the draft, which will have a huge role to play in filling out the 53-man roster.
Even though the offseason is ongoing, and the Birds are still a team in flux, we're trying our hand at predicting the club's depth chart for 2015. It wasn't easy, but it should provide a loose idea of what Philly is looking at in the season ahead.
Quarterback
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Sam Bradford, Mark Sanchez, Matt Barkley
Bradford is Philadelphia’s starting quarterback, provided he is healthy. If Bradford’s recovery from a second ACL surgery in as many years hinders him, or if he’s slow to pick up the offense, Sanchez could be the opening-day starter. However, Sanchez taking the reins would likely prove to be only temporary.
The Eagles could use a mid-to-late-round draft pick on a developmental quarterback. Should that come to pass, Barkley’s days with the team might be numbered, but for now, we’ll pencil him in as the third-string signal-caller.
Running Back
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DeMarco Murray, Ryan Mathews, Darren Sproles, Chris Polk
While Murray is the star of the show in Philly’s new three-headed monster, Mathews figures to handle a fair amount of the workload as well, hopefully keeping the NFL’s reigning rushing champion fresh.
After posting his lowest receiving output since 2008 last season, Sproles figures to get more looks in the passing attack with so many carries going to Murray and Mathews.
Polk has yet to sign his one-year restricted free-agent tender, but he likely will in the coming weeks. He’s good to keep around, as he contributes on special teams, while Murray and Mathews come with durability concerns.
Wide Receiver
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Miles Austin, Jordan Matthews, Josh Huff, Riley Cooper, Draft Pick
Now that the Eagles have officially signed Austin, per Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com, they have a lot more flexibility in the wide receiving corps. Austin could be the offense’s No. 1 receiver, or he may not wind up making the team at all, but he’s insurance in case the young wideouts are slow to progress.
Matthews primarily lined up in the slot last season, and while built to play on the outside, he’s largely untested at that position.
Huff is in line for a bigger role as well, but with nearly as many miscues as receptions (eight) in 2014, his development is far from assured.
A rookie will be in the mix as well, but that’s a total unknown, down to whom and from what round of the draft.
Assuming Austin does make the team and the kids are ready, Cooper could become one very expensive reserve/special teamer.
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Tight End
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Brent Celek, Zach Ertz, Trey Burton
While Ertz will post flashier numbers, Celek will continue to see the bulk of the playing time at tight end, especially if the Eagles run the ball as much as it appears they will. Celek may be getting up there in years, but he’s still one of the best blocking tight ends in the NFL.
With James Casey out of the picture, Burton, a special teams ace, will have an opportunity to serve as the No. 3 tight end. Burton is incredibly versatile, having also lined up at wide receiver, running back and even under center for the University of Florida.
Offensive Line
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Jason Peters, Evan Mathis, Jason Kelce, Allen Barbre, Lane Johnson, Andrew Gardner, Matt Tobin, Draft Pick, Julian Vandervelde
Peters and Johnson are Philadelphia’s bookend tackles, while Kelce is coming off of his first of what is sure to be many invitations to the Pro Bowl at center.
Offensive guard is the area that’s in flux. Todd Herremans was released and likely will be replaced at right guard by Barbre, a journeyman swingman the Eagles extended last offseason. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported All-Pro left guard Evan Mathis is on the trade block for the second year in a row, but so far, once again, there are no takers.
Surely, the Eagles will add at least one rookie into the mix. Gardner can play either tackle or guard, boosting his value to the club, and while Tobin struggled when he was thrust into the lineup in 2014, he flashed potential during the preseason. Vandervelde returns as the backup center.
Defensive Line
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Fletcher Cox, Bennie Logan, Cedric Thornton, Vinny Curry, Beau Allen, Taylor Hart
Cox has become one of the most dominant players in the league, and he should be the foundation the defense is built upon for years to come.
At the other end, Thornton should sign his one-year restricted free-agent tender in the coming weeks. The impressive run-stuffer forms a nice platoon with Curry, a dangerous pass-rusher. Hart hopes to provide depth after redshirting all of last year.
At nose tackle, Logan proved he was plenty big enough to play the position, helping make the defensive line the strongest area on the team. Allen still has a ways to go, but he contributed as a rookie, and you can’t teach his size—333 pounds.
Outside Linebacker
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Connor Barwin, Brandon Graham, Travis Long, Marcus Smith, Draft Pick, Bryan Braman
Barwin is coming off of an All-Pro season, and while he may not register 14.5 sacks again, he helps set the tone on defense.
After 10 seasons, the Eagles bid Trent Cole farewell, and they re-signed Graham, who will have his first legitimate opportunity to start since he was selected 13th overall in the 2010 draft.
The depth is a little scary. 2014 first-round pick Marcus Smith hardly played as a rookie—is his roster spot even assured? No doubt, the team will bring in another outside linebacker from the draft, but look for Long, a little-known camp body, to push for serious playing time if he recovers from ACL surgery.
Braman is purely a special teams contributor, and he reworked his contract during the offseason, ensuring his return.
Interior Linebacker
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DeMeco Ryans, Kiko Alonso, Brad Jones, Draft Pick
Notice something amiss?
The belief here is Mychal Kendricks could be dealt between now and the draft, so he’s not on the depth chart. This idea is based on the fact that the Eagles traded for Alonso, extended Ryans, signed Jones and are interviewing additional interior linebacker prospects ahead of the draft.
Ryans and Alonso will start, while Jones will provide depth and contribute on special teams. In the meantime, a rookie will be groomed to eventually replace Ryans, who turns 31 this year.
Cornerback
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Byron Maxwell, Walter Thurmond III, Brandon Boykin, Nolan Carroll, Draft Pick
Maxwell is the clear-cut No. 1 cornerback on the roster. At least he’s getting paid as such.
However, No. 2 is a bit of a question mark. Thurmond was signed to compete for the vacancy, but he’s missed 27 of the last 71 possible regular-season and playoff games, so don’t count on that coming to fruition. Once Thurmond becomes unavailable, he’ll likely be replaced by a high draft pick.
Unless he too is traded between now and opening day, Boykin reprises his role in the slot. Carroll pitches in on the dime package and special teams, but he could become expendable if Philadelphia takes two corners in the draft.
Safety
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Malcolm Jenkins, Earl Wolff, Jaylen Watkins, Draft Pick, Chris Maragos
Jenkins is the only sure thing the Eagles have at safety. Wolff started six games as a rookie in 2013 and looked competent, but he was hindered by a knee injury last season, so there’s no telling where he is in his development. He’ll likely battle a rookie for the job alongside Jenkins.
Watkins, a 2014 fourth-round pick, could also be part of an open competition for that safety job. Listed as a cornerback, Watkins also played some safety in college, and as Zach Berman of The Philadelphia Inquirer reported from the NFL owners meetings, head coach Chip Kelly mentioned a position change could be in the cards.
Maragos is a top special teams contributor, but he has never started a game at safety in the NFL. Even with Philadelphia’s glaring need at the position, that seems unlikely to change.
Specialists
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Cody Parkey, Donnie Jones, Jon Dorenbos
Fresh off an invitation to the Pro Bowl as a rookie, Parkey figures to have Philadelphia’s place-kicking duties locked down for the foreseeable future.
Jones wasn't quite as phenomenal punting the football in 2014 as he was in the previous season for the Eagles, but he was still good. That area is solid as well.
Interestingly enough, Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun reports the Eagles will host Navy long snapper Joe Cardona for an official pre-draft visit. Dorenbos has been as good a long snapper as there is in the business, but he does turn 35 this year, so the idea he could be replaced is not far-fetched.
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