Projecting Philadelphia Eagles' 2017 Starting Lineup After NFL Draft
With the 2017 NFL draft in the rearview mirror, the Philadelphia Eagles can finally begin to piece together their depth chart for the upcoming season.
While there's no doubting that the team still possesses some holes across the starting lineup, the front office took some huge steps toward solidifying a 2017 contender throughout their hometown draft.
Tens of thousands of Eagles fans who joined the festivities over the weekend across Benjamin Franklin Parkway could leave with optimism after the team put a priority on addressing needs with the best talent possible.
Let's start to figure out what Philly's starting lineup could look like when they travel to face the Washington Redskins in Week 1.
Quarterback
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QB1: Carson Wentz
QB2: Nick Foles
QB3: Matt McGloin
Last year's draft featured a wide-eyed Carson Wentz being welcomed as the No. 2 overall pick with the understanding that he'd need plenty of time to become a star quarterback.
This time around, he received a hero's welcome in front of his hometown fanbase as a player who's being counted on to lead his Eagles to a division title as an NFL sophomore.
Wentz is proving to be worth every penny of the huge deal it took to move up to pick him last year, and the Eagles have been able to put serious weaponry around him with the additions of Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith along with a few draft picks at wideout.
Behind Wentz, the Eagles strengthened their backup spot at a cheaper price tag by releasing Chase Daniel and bringing back Nick Foles. They may not even choose to dress three quarterbacks during the season, but the signing of former Oakland Raiders QB Matt McGloin shows their insurance plan in case of emergency.
Running Back
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RB1: Wendell Smallwood
RB2: Donnel Pumphrey (rookie)
RB3: Darren Sproles
The Eagles didn't go after one of the top names in the backfield, instead choosing to take advantage of a deep running back class by trading up for Donnel Pumphrey in the fourth round.
Pumphrey shouldn't be able to usurp Wendell Smallwood for the starting nod, as the second-year back will get a chance to take on a heavier workload, but the new arrival has a real chance to erupt as a rookie.
He'll likely share the backfield with Smallwood and his 5'8", 180-pound stature doesn't mean he's incapable of running physically. He's known to run much larger than his listed size, as told by his 2,133 rushing yards last season with San Diego State.
Eagles fans should expect to say goodbye to Ryan Mathews, who is likely just a passed physical away from either a trade or release.
Darren Sproles has earned his keep and is utilized all over the West Coast offense along with the return game, arguably earning the distinction of the NFL's most valuable third-string back.
Wide Receiver
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WR1, WR2: Alshon Jeffery, Torrey Smith
WR3, WR4: Jordan Matthews, Nelson Agholor
WR5, WR6: Mack Hollins (rookie), Shelton Gibson (rookie)
The Eagles signed Alshon Jeffery over the offseason to be the all-around dynamic threat to take Wentz's game to the next level, and he'll get every chance to do so in 2017 as they aim to decide whether he's worth a long-term investment next offseason.
Torrey Smith's acquisition could prove similarly valuable for Wentz, as Philly's splashy offense will look to take advantage of his deep threat. Playing opposite Jeffery, he'll have every opportunity for one-on-one matchups.
As for the Eagles' own young receiving core, Jordan Matthews has shown by far the most potential and should be a solid slot option again. While many Eagles fans are ready to give up on Nelson Agholor, the team needs to give him one more shot after investing a first-round pick in him two drafts ago.
That young core of Eagles wideouts has some competition after the draft. UNC's Mack Hollins should be molded into another good deep threat, while West Virginia draft pick Shelton Gibson possesses breakaway speed. Both picks indicate the team is ready to move on from Dorial Green-Beckham.
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Tight End
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TE1: Zach Ertz
TE2: Brent Celek
TE3: Trey Burton
Despite a shuffling of starting quarterbacks, Zach Ertz has had a productive start to his career which should continue ascending now that he's no longer the most feared option in the passing game.
Ertz put up at least 75 catches and 800 yards in each of the last two seasons despite few other receiving threats, and now he'll have less attention on him with true weapons out on the perimeter. If he posts similar numbers in 2017, the Eagles should have a potent all-around attack.
Philadelphia is fortunate to have Brent Celek in the fold, a burly force who puts in great work in two tight-end sets. Even though his receiving numbers have almost disappeared, he still provides good value.
Trey Burton's work on special teams is largely what earned him an extension this offseason, but he's also skilled enough to be utilized as one of head coach Doug Pederson's many versatile weapons in the offense.
Offensive Line
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LT: Jason Peters
LG: Allen Barbre
C: Jason Kelce
RG: Brandon Brooks
RT: Lane Johnson
Offensive line marked the only area where the Eagles failed to make a needed investment, but that will do nothing to impact their 2017 plans.
As is stands, the Eagles still have a solid offensive line anchored by Jason Peters. Addressing the future after the 35-year-old didn't happen in the draft, but he'll pair up beside Allen Barbre to make up a stiff, albeit expensive, left side of the line.
Jason Kelce and his unappealing contract are the talk of trade rumors, but each passing day shows increasing likelihood that he's part of the 2017 plans. Stefen Wisniewski is in the fold to replace him (or anyone in the interior line) after a three-year extension this offseason.
Brandon Brooks meshed well in his first year as an Eagle alongside Lane Johnson, who has become one of the best right tackles in football.
Defensive Line
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DE: Brandon Graham
DT1, DT2: Fletcher Cox, Timmy Jernigan
DE: Derek Barnett (rookie)
When you're picking at No. 14 overall and get the highest-rated player on your board—as general manager Howie Roseman dubbed Derek Barnett, per Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ Advance Media—you know you made out like a bandit. And it just so happens that he fills a serious need on the roster.
What the Eagles lacked in a consistent pass rush last season, they'll get from Barnett. His ridiculous production in college isn't a fluke, as he impacts the pocket every snap and should become a menace playing next to Fletcher Cox.
Opposite the stalwart Cox is Timmy Jernigan, who the Eagles acquired in a draft-pick trade with the Baltimore Ravens and gives the team an effective replacement for Bennie Logan.
On the far edge, Brandon Graham returns as largely the only reliable pass-rusher from last season and now has the help he needed while Vinny Curry and Chris Long round out the end depth.
Linebacker
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SLB: Nigel Bradham
MLB: Jordan Hicks
WLB: Mychal Kendricks
The pairing of Nigel Bradham and Jordan Hicks has proved to be a great one for the Eagles defense, but there's a cloud of uncertainty hanging over the position due to a void at weak-side linebacker.
Mychal Kendricks assumed the starting spot in 2016 and figures to do the same to start off this season despite seeing his playing time slashed considerably in the first year under defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.
A trade was viewed as inevitable earlier this offseason, but Kendricks is still on the roster and the Eagles are void of realistic replacement options for him.
The Eagles have Najee Goode and Kamu Grugier-Hill in the fold for hopeful depth, and fifth-round pick Nate Gerry is expected to transition to linebacker after playing as an in-the-box safety at Nebraska.
Cornerback
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CB1, CB2: Sidney Jones (rookie), Rasul Douglas (rookie)
CB3, CB4: Jalen Mills, Patrick Robinson
The Eagles are rightfully being lauded for landing Washington's Sidney Jones in the second round, a player who could have been a top-15 selection had he not ruptured his Achilles at his pro day.
The shutdown corner of the future, Jones will still be recovering from surgery in training camp but could make his return in the first half of the season.
Expect Philly to lean on recently signed veteran Patrick Robinson for starting reps until Jones can go, with third-round pick Rasul Douglas getting his opportunity to start off the bat. Douglas has great size to match up with the big NFC East receivers.
Jalen Mills will get plenty of chances to prove he's the slot cornerback and will carry a heavier load in Jones' absence, but he's not a perimeter corner by trade.
Safety
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SS: Malcolm Jenkins
FS: Rodney McLeod
For all of the issues the Eagles have had (and to a degree still have) at cornerback, the back line of the secondary is one of the league's best.
Malcolm Jenkins is a battering ram capable of invading the box as an extra defender or sagging back to disrupt routes down the field.
He's created a fantastic partnership with Rodney McLeod after the Eagles acquired him in the 2016 offseason, a rangy free safety capable of playing the important center field role.
Special Teams
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K: Caleb Sturgis
P: Donnie Jones
KR: Shelton Gibson (rookie)
PR: Darren Sproles
The best special teams unit in the NFL is sitting pretty entering the 2017 offseason, in large part due to Caleb Sturgis showing he can be a reliable weapon in the kicking game. He's shaken off the cobwebs of his underwhelming 2015 campaign, going 35-for-41 last year.
The speedy Gibson should get his chances at kickoffs as a rookie with Kenjon Barner and Josh Huff no longer on the team, while relying on Sproles with the punts seems like a given.
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