Philadelphia Eagles' Week 9 Stock Report
Are the Philadelphia Eagles trending up or down? Or will their stock continue to rise and fall like a roller coaster for the remainder of the 2015 season?
The next nine weeks will give us the answer to those questions and more.
Like, which young players are on the rise, and which ones have already hit their ceiling? Which recent draft picks are busts, and which ones are just waiting for an opportunity? And are the Eagles capable of putting together a winning streak and going on a legitimate playoff run, or are they doomed to inconsistent and erratic play the rest of the year?
This week's stock report touches on every one of these topics, but only the Eagles with their play down the stretch can determine whether they are worth buying into or selling. Time will tell.
Stock Up: Zach Ertz
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The Eagles' passing attack is in desperate need of a spark, and it just may be on the cusp of getting it from the tight end position.
Zach Ertz has been much more involved in the offense of late. Through the first four weeks of this season, the third-year veteran hauled in all of 10 passes for 104 yards. Over the last three games, Ertz has emerged as an every-down player, racking up 14 receptions for 166 yards.
The totals aren't huge, and Ertz is still searching for his first touchdown. Then again, the simple fact that he's on the field more is a good sign his production will continue to rise.
Keep in mind, an injury caused Ertz to miss the entirety of the preseason. He didn't get a chance to build much of a rapport with Sam Bradford. As the quarterback gains confidence in his big, athletic tight end, the connection could become tough to stop.
Stock Down: Jordan Matthews
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Jordan Matthews' nightmare season continued in the Eagles' Week 7 loss to the Carolina Panthers with his least productive game yet. The second-year wideout managed only three receptions for a whopping 14 yards and was on the hook for two more drops, bringing his 2015 total to just north of the mileage on the team bus.
But the most concerning aspect of Matthews' struggles is not a series of down games or even the drops. It's the lack of impact plays.
Matthews was supposed to become the Eagles' feature receiver this year—a role in which DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin thrived the previous two seasons. Instead, Matthews hasn't eclipsed 60 yards in a single game since Week 2, has averaged less than 10 yards per reception four times and has only located the end zone once.
Without Maclin or anybody else threatening to take the top off defenses, it seems Matthews simply isn't as effective running out of the slot. The question is whether that's going to change.
Stock Up: Byron Maxwell
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Byron Maxwell's Eagles debut is still fresh in everybody's minds. That was the game where Atlanta Falcons All-Pro wide receiver Julio Jones torched the high-priced free-agent cornerback, instantly lending a feeling of buyer's remorse.
At this point, Maxwell isn't getting his due. The fact of the matter is he's largely been very good since his rough start, particularly over the last three games.
According to Pro Football Focus, Maxwell hasn't allowed more than 39 yards receiving in a single game. The fifth-year veteran also has two pass breakups and his first interception in midnight green during that stretch, not to mention he hasn't given up a touchdown pass since Week 2.
Maxwell may not be a shutdown corner, but when he's focused and sticks to his technique, he can more than hold his own. It's time to put Week 1 behind us and pay attention to the job he's been doing ever since.
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Stock Down: Eric Rowe
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To be fair, Eric Rowe isn't in the starting lineup in part because Nolan Carroll seized the job at cornerback in training camp and is playing at a very high level. However, the fact we haven't heard a peep out of Rowe the past two weeks is a little disappointing.
The second-round draft pick had himself a day in Week 3 against the New York Jets, coming up with two breakups and an interception on deep pass attempts. Then he struggled against Washington the following week and was beaten for a garbage-time touchdown against the New Orleans Saints. He hasn't appeared in a game since.
It's way too soon to label Rowe a bust. Rookie corners are often brought along slowly, and the fact that the Eagles aren't forced to thrust him into the action should be viewed as a positive.
Then again, that Rowe isn't seeing snaps in any capacity anymore is a situation to monitor at the very least.
Stock Up: Mychal Kendricks
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Welcome back, Mychal Kendricks. Playing his first game since Week 4, when he was sidelined by a hamstring injury, the fourth-year linebacker acquitted himself nicely. Kendricks finished the loss to the Panthers with eight tackles and a sack—his first of the season.
More importantly, it was nice to see Kendricks not only at full speed, but also start and finish a game for the first time since Week 1. His return is especially important given the other injuries at interior linebacker—DeMeco Ryans and Kiko Alonso, who is set to come back, but likely on a pitch count.
Kendricks has been one of the Eagles' top playmakers in recent years. He's one of only three NFL linebackers to record at least eight sacks, three interceptions and five forced fumbles between the 2013-14 seasons. Kendricks' presence can only strengthen a defense that was succeeding even without him.
Stock Down: Marcus Smith
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The hope was Marcus Smith had turned a corner when his hit on New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees in Week 5 resulted in an interception. It was only one play, but it was basically the first play Smith made in his NFL career.
Unfortunately, by the time two weeks had passed, the 2014 first-round draft pick was already forgotten about again. According to Pro Football Focus, Smith played all of five snaps in the loss to the Panthers, and the one play he was notably on the field for was a 43-yard reverse to wide receiver Ted Ginn that went in the linebacker's direction.
With every week that goes by, it looks less and less likely that Smith will ever make an impact in the NFL, much less be a member of the Eagles in 2016. He may be 23 years old, with all the physical tools and athleticism to succeed, but the fact that he has just one tackle and one quarterback hit two seasons in is troubling.
We'll probably see Smith again at some point simply because the Eagles are thin at outside linebacker. That being said, his time appears to be running out.
Stock Up: Lane Johnson
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The future might be now for Lane Johnson—his future being at left tackle, that is. Dave Zangaro for CSNPhilly.com reported the 2013 fourth overall pick was taking reps in place of Jason Peters at Wednesday's practice in the event the seven-time Pro Bowler is unable to play.
While Johnson starting on the left as opposed to the right would largely be because he's the best option, it also shows a lot of faith in the third-year tackle. And if he is asked to anchor the offensive line for the Eagles this Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys, we'll get a glimpse into whether or not he can eventually take on the job full time.
Johnson has been a dominant run-blocker and more-than-sufficient pass protector at right tackle. When he eventually moves to the left permanently, don't be surprised if recognition in the form of Pro Bowls isn't far behind.
Stock Down: Jason Peters
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Speaking of Jason Peters, at this point one has to wonder if his best days aren't completely behind him. Even before he went down with back spasms in Week 7 against Carolina, Peters had been banged-up nearly every week this season. And even when he wasn't battling a known injury, the 33-year-old didn't appear to be in tip-top shape.
That goes back to 2014, which was not Peters' best season, either. The Eagles entered this season with questions as to whether their future Hall of Fame left tackle might be in decline, and if he's less than 100 percent, the concern only grows.
The thing is, an Eagles playoff run probably can't happen without a healthy Peters. Even if his performance is slipping, he's still a high-end left tackle in this NFL. Without him, guard Matt Tobin is asked to slide outside, while reserve Dennis Kelly is pressed into the lineup. That's when things get scary.
If Peters missed a week or two, the Eagles might be able to get by. But if he's out for an extended period or not healthy enough to play at an above-average level, this offensive line could crumble—and this season might as well be over.
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