Philadelphia Eagles: Projecting the Team's 2011 Depth Chart
With the 2011 NFL Draft in the books, the Philadelphia Eagles have managed to load their team with fresh faces and young talent.
Obviously, the final roster is far from complete, but unfortunately, the NFL lockout has prevented any further offseason additions.
However, it's still fun to speculate how the Week 1 depth chart will look.
The defensive side of the ball looks to be in for a bit of an overhaul, and a few other surprises are sure to pepper the final roster.
With that said, let's dive in and take a position-by-position look at the projected 2011 Eagles depth chart.
Quarterback
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Starter: Michael Vick
No. 2: (Free Agent)
No. 3: Mike Kafka
After a near-MVP season, Michael Vick will be back in a starting role for the Eagles in 2011.
As for his backups, Kevin Kolb is sure to be on the next flight out of Philadelphia as soon as the free agent market opens, so the only question is: Who will replace him as the primary backup?
There are a few viable veteran options sure to be circulating through free agency, such as Troy Smith or even Matt Leinart.
Unfortuantely, the Eagles will be unable to land a guy like Marc Bulger with such a strong demand for starting quarterbacks. Still, chances are, they'll find their man via free agency.
Second-year man Mike Kafka will bring up the rear of the quarterback corps. Although promising, he'll still need at least another season before he is polished enough to be a solid number two.
Halfback
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Starter: LeSean McCoy
No. 2: Dion Lewis
No. 3: Eldra Buckley
Starting halfback LeSean McCoy will be back for another shot at the Pro Bowl in 2011.
Backing him up will be fellow Pitt product Dion Lewis, who can provide a nice change of pace in short yardage situations.
As usual, third-stringer Eldra Buckley will fill in as the special teams and emergency back.
However, expect him to be challenged by a free agent or two during training camp.
Fullback
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Starter: Owen Schmitt
A few days ago, Leonard Weaver tweeted that he would be "a long shot" to return for the 2011 season due to his horrific knee injury.
With him unfortunately out of the picture, the Eagles will have to rely on their more-than-capable backup Owen Schmitt going forward.
Although the team drafted USC fullback Stanley Havili in the seventh round of the 2011 draft, his lack of blocking prowess will likely keep him from making the final roster.
Perhaps he will be "redshirted" and forced to spend a season on injured reserve as his skills continue to develop, but there is a very small chance he takes over for Schmitt in 2011.
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Tight End
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Starter: Brent Celek
No. 2: Clay Harbor
No. 3: Cornelius Ingram
Although he had a relatively down year in terms of statistics, Brent Celek will return in a starting role for the 2011 season.
Backing him up, by default, will be second year man Clay Harbor, who will try to emerge as a reliable blocker.
Bruising receiver Cornelius Ingram will get his second chance with the team as he looks to bounce back from yet another ACL tear.
Wide Receiver
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Starters: DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin
Slot: Jason Avant
No. 4: Riley Cooper
No. 5: Sinorice Moss
Since the Eagles declined to add any personnel to the wide receiver position in the draft, their depth chart will remain fairly similar to last year's lineup.
The only difference is that Chad Hall, who struggled in the return game and as a gadget player, will be supplanted by the newly-acquired speedster Sinorice Moss.
Offensive Tackle
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Starters: Jason Perers, Winston Justice
No. 2: King Dunlap
No. 3: Austin Howard
Surprisingly, the Eagles seem fairly content with their offensive tackles, choosing instead to focus on upgrading their interior line through the draft.
Thankfully, they're set at left tackle for years to come, thanks to the 2009 addition of Jason Peters.
Although it's reportedly up in the air as to whether Justice or Dunlap will start on the right side, Justice currently has the edge due to his additional experience and adequate performance throughout most of the 2010 season.
An undrafted rookie in 2010, the massive Austin Howard will continue living the dream as a backup, although he'll push for more playing time during his second year.
Offensive Guard
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Starters: Todd Herremans, Danny Watkins
Backups: Max Jean-Gilles, Julian Vandervelde
Look for perennially-snubbed Pro Bowler Todd Herremans to continue his dominance at the left guard position, while first-round pick Danny Watkins takes over the right side.
Fifth-round draft pick Julian Vandervelde will bring his finesse to the table as a replacement for Reggie Wells and Max Jean-Gilles will use his versatility to back up both positions.
Center
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Starter: Mike McGlynn
Backup: Jason Kelce
After his second season-ending injury in as many seasons, former starting center Jamaal Jackson will likely depart from Philadelphia at the ripe old age of 30.
Mike McGlynn will look to continue his progression as a starting NFL center, while lightweight Jason Kelce will use his impressive speed and quickness to bring a variety to the backup slot.
Defensive End
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Starters: Trent Cole, Brandon Graham
No. 3/4: Juqua Parker, Darryl Tapp
No. 5/6: Phillip Hunt, Daniel Te'o-Nesheim
Although he will eventually start across from the prolific Trent Cole, second-year man Brandon Graham will need time to recover from his season-ending ACL tear.
In the meantime, reliable veteran Juqua Parker will provide a stable presence to the young defensive end rotation.
Look for new defensive line coach to get the most out of the likes of Darryl Tapp and Daniel Te'o-Nesheim, who contributed in limited form last year.
CFL recruit Phillip Hunt has a lot to prove, but appears to have the skill needed to become a productive pass-rusher in the NFL.
He'll have a home on the roster come September.
Defensive Tackle
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Starters: Antonio Dixon, Mike Patterson
No. 3: Brodrick Bunkley
No. 4: Trevor Laws
After supplanting Brodrick Bunkley as the starting right defensive tackle in the middle of last season, Antonio Dixon will continue his high level of play and earn a starting spot in Juan Castillo's new defense.
Mike Patterson will continue his solid run-stuffing play along the line, backed up by Brodrick Bunkley and Trevor Laws, who will be rotated in during certain situations.
Also look for the Eagles to keep promising second-year man Jeff Owens, who will likely start off the season on the PUP list, on speed dial.
Outside Linebacker
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Starters: Moise Fokou, Casey Matthews
Backups: Rashad Jeanty, Brian Rolle
The linebacker position will find itself in a rebuilding mode after a sub-par 2010 campaign that will likely cost veterans Ernie Sims and Akeem Jordan their jobs.
Moise Fokou was one of the few solid performers in the linebacking corps, and will be given another chance at the SAM position.
Fourth-round pick Casey Matthews, a fit at either the WILL or MIKE positions, will ultimately find himself on the outside due to need at the position.
The Eagles brought in a wealth of depth at linebacker, and Jeanty and Rolle will fill in nicely at the backup SAM and WILL positions, respectively.
Middle Linebacker
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Starter: Jamar Chaney
Backup: Greg Lloyd
After proving himself towards the end of 2010, Jamar Chaney will be invited back for a second season as the Eagles' starting middle linebacker.
As for the backup position, with Stewart Bradley's contract expiring, the Eagles may opt to go with the cheaper option in seventh-round pick Greg Lloyd.
Although Lloyd's legacy won't get him too far, his big, physical play could certainly be enough for him to squeeze onto the roster as a backup.
Cornerback
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Starters: Asante Samuel, Trevard Lindley
Nickel: Joselio Hanson
Dime: Curtis Marsh
Special Teams: Brandon Hughes
After a promising year as a backup Trevard Lindley will be given a chance to start at right cornerback (barring a signing of Nnamdi Asomugha).
Hanson will resume his reliable role as a nickel back, while third-round pick Curtis Marsh will be given playing time in dime packages while he develops his NFL skill set.
Second-year man Brandon Hughes, a midseason pickup from the Giants' practice squad, showed promise during his starting role in the Week 17 game against the Cowboys.
He'll be invited back for a second year.
Safety
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Starters: Nate Allen, Jaiquawn Jarrett
No. 3: Kurt Coleman
No. 4: Colt Anderson
Despite suffering a torn patellar tendon late last season, Allen appears to be ready for action by Week 1.
Expect him to resume his starting free safety role, flanked by second-round tackling machine Jaiquawn Jarrett on the strong side.
The promising young Kurt Coleman will back up both positions, with special teams ace Colt Anderson continuing to light up punt returners as a gunner.
Specialists
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Kicker: Alex Henrey
Punter: Sav Rocca
Long Snapper: Jon Dorenbos
After getting drafted in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL Draft, it's clear that Alex Henery is destined to be the Eagles' new franchise kicker.
Sav Rocca will likely be challenged by an undrafted rookie during training camp, but will return for a fifth season after improving his consistency last season.
Veteran Jon Dorenbos will continue to lend his stable presence to the long snapper position.
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