Predicting Philadelphia Eagles' 2017 Starters After 1st Wave of Free Agency
The Philadelphia Eagles' depth chart for 2017 is still very much a work in progress, but fans have received plenty of clarity on what it might look like after the opening few weeks of free agency.
Building a new-look offense after the Chip Kelly era has long been known to be a multiyear project for general manager Howie Roseman, head coach Doug Pederson and company. They masterfully landed the biggest piece last offseason, when they drafted quarterback Carson Wentz at No. 2 overall. His impressive rookie season has pushed the front office toward finding the right complementary pieces around him.
The Eagles made a splash in free agency to give Wentz some help, and also orchestrated some savvy signings that put them in a better position with the cap while also improving the team. They may not be quite done in free agency, but most of the focus has shifted to the draft in late April.
As for the defense, Philly hasn't quite bolstered that unit through free agency like fans had hoped, which undoubtedly puts pressure on the front office to infuse some serious rookie talent.
Let's take a way-too-early look into a prospective Eagles depth chart for the 2017 season.
Quarterback
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QB: Carson Wentz, Nick Foles and rookie
When the Eagles drafted Wentz, the expectation (at least publicly) was that Sam Bradford and Chase Daniel would stay ahead of him on the depth chart to start the season. That feels like ages ago.
Wentz ended up starting Week 1 and led the Eagles to the most surprising opening month of the 2016 season, seamlessly transitioning into the role. The inevitable rookie struggles came, but they proved to be more down to the lack of weapons around him than his own shortcomings. The future is extremely bright for Wentz in Philly.
Daniel got released shortly after the Eagles brought back Nick Foles in March and handed him the backup role, effectively giving the Eagles a more dependable No. 2 quarterback who also brings less of a cap hit. The 27-touchdown, two-interception days of Foles' past are a distant memory, but he could still be relied upon to win games if Wentz goes down.
Beyond that, look for the Eagles to perhaps select a quarterback late in the draft or sign a couple of undrafted rookies to compete for the third spot. It wouldn't be surprising to see the Eagles leave their third quarterback on the practice squad to leave room for other playmakers on the 53-man roster.
Running Back
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RB: Wendell Smallwood, rookie and Darren Sproles
Perhaps the only position on offense that doesn't look relatively set is in the backfield, where questions abound regarding exactly what the depth chart will show come training camp.
Ryan Mathews has been the workhorse over the past few seasons, but he's validated the consensus opinion that he's injury-prone and exiting what's left of his prime. Mathews is still an Eagle but should expect to be cut over the coming weeks.
The Eagles are high on second-year back Wendell Smallwood, who impressed with a small sample size as a rookie. He put up an average of 4.1 yards per carry and should receive a handsome split of the workload in 2017.
With the ever-present Darren Sproles likely to return as an all-around offensive weapon but not much of a backfield threat, that leaves Philly needing to add a running back in the draft to split carries with Smallwood.
Going after a first-round back like Dalvin Cook or Christian McCaffrey is a pipe dream with the needs at other positions, so expect the Eagles to target a dangerous mid-round draft option like Wayne Gallman or Alvin Kamara.
Tight End
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TE: Zach Ertz, Brent Celek and Trey Burton
There weren't many positions on offense that could be considered a strength for the Eagles in 2016, but tight end was certainly one.
2013 second-round pick Zach Ertz continued his ascension to recognition as one of the league's more feared tight ends last season, producing at least 75 receptions and 800 yards for the second-straight year. Ertz allowed the Eagles to restructure his contract to be more cap friendly early in free agency, further proving his commitment to the franchise.
Brent Celek is the old head of the tight ends, one the Eagles can depend upon for consistent pass blocking despite his receiving numbers dropping considerably over the past two seasons. He's effectively a sixth lineman in many packages, which is helpful for a young quarterback.
Trey Burton has shown his worth at times in the passing game in various packages but is more of a special teams guy. However, his value to the roster is undoubtedly felt by Roseman and crew, who brought him back on a deal worth nearly $3 million for 2017.
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Wide Receiver
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WR: Alshon Jeffery, Torrey Smith, Jordan Matthews, Nelson Agholor and Dorial Green-Beckham
The Eagles desperately needed to add a consistent playmaking wideout either in free agency or the draft, and they wasted no time doing so by signing former Chicago Bears receiver Alshon Jeffery. More importantly, he's arriving on a one-year, prove-it deal full of incentives that will allow the Eagles time to figure out whether he's worth a star's contract next offseason.
The signing of Torrey Smith proved to be a big one as well, giving the Eagles another established wideout who provides a deep threat for Wentz. If nothing else, Philly has fortified a receiving corps previously full of questions and unproven young players.
Speaking of young players, there is still plenty of room for them to shine. Jordan Matthews should continue to make an impact, primarily in a slot role, while Nelson Agholor will have chances to put his nightmarish start to his career behind him and find ways to grow without being a primary option.
Expect the Eagles to draft a wideout or two to contend for the final roster spot, but retaining Dorial Green-Beckham is still a realistic outcome. DGB failed to make good on his potential in 2016, but he has a scary skill set that is capable of giving the Eagles a mismatch option if he gets it together.
Offensive Line
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LT: Jason Peters
LG: Allen Barbre
C: Jason Kelce
RG: Brandon Brooks
RT: Lane Johnson
The long-term outlook at offensive line is a bit murky. But as things stand, the starting five appears to mimic the same one Eagles fans saw early in 2016.
Few teams possess a more dependable duo of edge linemen than the Eagles, with Jason Peters returning as the bookend left tackle and Lane Johnson emerging from his 10-game suspension in 2016 to line up on the right. Peters is 35, and the Eagles need a long-term focus, but they're set for 2017.
The interior looks pretty solidified as well. Allen Barbre and Brandon Brooks appear set to remain at their 2016 spots at left and right guard respectively after strong seasons.
The media has long targeted Jason Kelce as a potential cap casualty, and the writing looked to be on the wall after the Eagles re-signed guard/center Stefen Wisniewski in free agency. If Kelce happens to be dealt, they have Wisniewski to plug in, but that won't happen unless the Philadelphia finds a suitor for Kelce.
Defensive Line
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DE: Brandon Graham, rookie
DT: Fletcher Cox, Beau Allen and Destiny Vaeao
DE: Chris Long, Vinny Curry and Marcus Smith
Losing a player like defensive tackle Bennie Logan would set any other unit back severely, but not many units have the likes of Fletcher Cox to fall back on. Cox is sure to see more double teams with Logan gone, but Beau Allen has developed nicely and will likely get a chance to show what he can do in a starter's role.
The edge is where the Eagles had big problems in 2016, with Brandon Graham the only consistent threat on the outside. Philly addressed that Tuesday by signing former New England Patriots end Chris Long, who isn't a game-breaker but should provide a presence opposite Graham.
Vinny Curry disappointed in 2016 after being re-signed to a big deal, but fans should expect the Eagles to continue giving him chances to turn it around. Speaking of turning it around, former first-round pick Marcus Smith did that to an extent last season but shouldn't get much burn on the edge after such a disastrous start to his career.
Defensive end is undoubtedly a big focus for the Eagles in the draft, and the signing of veteran Long shouldn't change that. If the Eagles have the right guy fall to them in the first or second round, expect them to pull the trigger and fortify the unit.
Linebacker
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SLB: Nigel Bradham and Najee Goode
MLB: Jordan Hicks
WLB: Mychal Kendricks and rookie
The Eagles are strong at two-thirds of their linebacker spots. That alone is a reason for optimism. But having 33.3 percent of your starting linebackers unsettled has to create nervy feelings for defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz and crew.
Jordan Hicks is one of the more dependable and durable middle linebackers in the NFL, and Nigel Bradham is a perfect fit for Schwartz's defense. The third starter, at least on paper, is far from a fit for Schwartz.
That player is Mychal Kendricks, who has not so quietly been on the trading block all offseason. Kendricks is a blitzing linebacker who earns his keep getting to the quarterback, and that is simply not a wrinkle in Schwartz's scheme.
One of the biggest surprises of the Eagles' offseason came Wednesday, when Pederson told Jimmy Kempski of Philly Voice that he expects Kendricks to be on the roster come September. That's not to say the Eagles aren't still shopping him, but it's a pretty ringing endorsement that his departure is far from a foregone conclusion.
Either way, the Eagles need a better fit at weak-side linebacker, and that should have them looking hard at the position when the middle of the draft comes around.
Cornerback
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CB: Rookie, Ron Brooks, rookie and Mitchell White
Slot: Jalen Mills and Aaron Grymes
What a mess.
For all the good Philadelphia did in fortifying the wide receiver needs in free agency, it did nothing in the form of bolstering a hapless cornerback unit. The Eagles released Leodis McKelvin and let Nolan Carroll sign with the rival Dallas Cowboys, although most Eagles fans would not bat an eye at those developments.
What they would bat an eye at, however, is the depth chart at cornerback—or the lack thereof. Ron Brooks is the only proven corner on the roster, and all he's demonstrated in the NFL is that he's more of a rotational piece than a true starter.
Jalen Mills came along well as a 2016 late-round pick, but his lack of size makes him more of a fit in the slot. As things stand, the Eagles will have to depend heavily on a pair of former CFL players in Mitchell White and Aaron Grymes.
It goes without saying that the Eagles will need to look hard at cornerback early in the draft. If the right guy isn't there at No. 14 overall, trading down several slots to get a Day 1 starter and looking again at the position during Rounds 2 and 3 is a likely outcome.
Safety
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S: Malcolm Jenkins, Rodney McLeod, Jaylen Watkins and Chris Maragos
The Eagles' safety corps is a strength, perhaps the only encouraging aspect of their secondary.
Malcolm Jenkins is a ball-hawking dynamo at the second level, and his presence sets the tone for a secondary that undoubtedly needs a strong tone to be set in 2017. The 29-year-old has the speed necessary to cover long balls, as well as the instincts to jump in on run plays.
Rodney McLeod has thus far fulfilled the big contract that he signed with the Eagles before the 2016 season. He's proved to be a perfect fit alongside Jenkins and at least gives Philly a strong presence behind their weak cornerback unit.
Jaylen Watkins and Chris Maragos have shown they can be decent rotational players, but the Eagles could certainly benefit if either of them impresses at cornerback during training camp.
Special Teams
10 of 10
P: Donnie Jones
K: Caleb Sturgis
For all the question marks across the Eagles' prospective depth chart, a special teams unit that consistently ranks atop the league looks to remain the same for 2017.
Donnie Jones has proved his worth as a weapon in the punt game and did nothing throughout 2016 to make the Eagles regret the three-year deal they signed him on before last season.
Caleb Sturgis has gone through some ups and downs during his NFL career, but that's far from a rarity for NFL kickers in the league today. Sturgis wasn't a fan favorite during the Chip Kelly era, but he turned things around in 2016 and should expect to retain the place-kicker duties next season.
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