Philadelphia Eagles 2018 Preview

Philadelphia Eagles 2018 Preview

Opening Statement: The Eagles finally broke through in 2017 and won a Super Bowl, and they should be a favorite to return once again in 2018. Whether or not Carson Wentz should be 100% after a major knee injury last season (he won't be) will be a matter of non consequence, as Nick Foles, the hero who replaced him, returns as an insurance policy at QB. Jason Peters will return at LT from an ACL injury, and that is an immediate upgrade. With several other additions, and returnees, this should be another solid season in Philadelphia.

Quarterback Breakdown
Wentz is pushing himself to be ready by the opener, but nobody really believes that he will be nearly 100% when that game against Atlanta takes place, so look for Foles to be ready to be under center until Wentz is fully ready to be who he was before his injury. There is absolutely zero reason at this point to risk Wentz and his knee, so why do it? Foles is perfectly suited to hold down the fort until Wentz is back at full strength, and then the Eagles can address what to do with either player.

Nate Sudfield should break camp as the 3rd QB after completing 19/23 passes in his lone start last season. He provides solid relief and insurance, especially with Wentz and his uncertain status. Joe Callahan was brought in as a camp body, and joins his 4th organization in 3 years, with all of 7 pass attempts in the league to his name.

Running Back Breakdown
Jay Ajayi is the listed primary starter, but the Eagles may approach this position with more of a committee attack in mind. Ajayi is solid, and can break the big run when necessary, as he had 12 carries of 10 yards or more after he joined the team last year from Miami. Corey Clement was an undrafted rookie last season, but really came through in a pinch, and showed solid value as a runner and as a receiver. He should get plenty of reps this season. Darren Sproles continues to provide value  as he has 14 years under his belt in the league. He will provide work as the 3rd back and PR man.

Wendell Smallwood is slipping on the depth chart, as he struggles in pass protection. He could find himself on the outs at the end of camp, if he does not show improvement. Matt Jones is a big, bruising short yardage back, but was brought in mainly as a camp body, and may not make the final cut. He carried just 5 times with Indianapolis last season.

Donnel Pumphery is the wild card here, as he spent his entire rookie season on the IR after breaking the FBS rushing record at San Diego State. He will really have to show some value in camp this season.

Receiver Breakdown
Alshon Jeffery scored 8 TDs in the red zone last season, and led all Eagles receivers with 9 TDs. He will still be the go to guy as the number one receiver on the roster. Nelson Agholar was on his way out until he was moved to the SLOT role last season, and he exploded to become an incredibly productive and dependable target. He returns as well. Veteran Mike Wallace was signed to add some depth as the 3rd receiver, and has been seriously productive the last 2 seasons. He will provide excellent leadership and production.

Mack Hollins returns as the top backup at WR this season, and will provide extra value on special teams. He backs up Jeffery, and will be the 4th receiver in extended receiver sets. Markus Wheaton adds more value as a veteran FA signee, and will work his way in as the 5th receiver.

Shelton Gibson, Bryce Treggs, and Marquess Wilson will all be looking to make their mark on special teams, but are long shots to make the final cut.

Tight End Breakdown
Zach Ertz returns as the starting TE after 8 red zone TDs last season, and he will be a primary piece of the offensive game plan every week. He has some help as well in rookie Dallas Goedert, who has the ability to line up almost anywhere the team asks him to. Goedert has already opened up some eyes in pre-season workouts, and should be a rock solid addition.

Joshua Perkins and Richard Rodgers will be battling for the 3rd TE job. Rodgers has produced in the past, but seems to be heading in the wrong direction, while Perkins is more of a blocking option.

Offensive Line Breakdown
Having Peters back at LT is a solid upgrade for the Eagles. He is at the end of his career now at 36, but even now, he could still be a top 10 tackle in the league, if fully healthy. Lane Johnson broke through last fall at RT, and was named 1st team All-Pro. He should be dominant once again. Halapoulivaati Vaitai took over for Peters last season, and gives the Eagles a 3rd tackle with rock solid starting experience and ability. Taylor Hart will also be looking for work as a 4th Tackle, if he can make the final cut. Hart will battle with rookie Matt Pryor, who could be one of the biggest Tackles in the league. Jordan Mailata was drafted after never having played football. The massive rugby player from Australia is a big time project.

Stefan Wisniewski is back at LG this season, and is one of the more quality Guards in the league. He could be in for an All-Pro season. Brandon Brooks was considered as one of the best Guards in the league last season at RG, and should provide yet another piece that drives the Eagles hunt for another title. Chance Warmack got a ton of reps last season, and will once again be the top backup at both OG spots. Isaac Seumalo left camp last year as the starter at LG, but was benched 2 weeks in. He could be on the way out.

Jason Kelce starts at Center, and is one of the most disciplined linemen in the game. Jon Toth is in camp as a non roster invitee, but is listed as the primary backup to Kelce heading into camp.

Defensive Line Breakdown
The DE position is loaded with talent, and in year 2 under Jim Schwartz, this unit should be even more comfortable and effective. Michael Bennett came over in a trade with Seattle, and can provide work inside and out. He will be the most moved about defender on the line this season. Derek Barnett showed serious flashes as a rookie last season, and returns to start as well, replacing Vinny Curry. If Barnett stays in a rotational role, he will share the right side with Bennett, while Brandon Graham and Chris Long rotate on the left side. Graham is entering the final year of his contract. Rookie Josh Sweat will try to find his way into the rotation at DE, and is one of the more athletic players on the roster. Steven Means has ability, but gets lost in the shuffle a bit, and may not make the cut.

Fletcher Cox is one of the most dominating interior players in the NFL. He will return to create disruption and chaos at DT once again, while he is joined by Tim Jernigan, who spent some time trying to find his way last season. More will be expected of him in 2018. Destiny Vaeao is ready to take the next step in his development this season as the backup to Cox. Haloti Ngata was signed as a free agent after an injury filled season in 2017, but if he is healthy, the rich just got richer. The team is also still intrigued with Elijah Qualls, but he had some trouble finding the field as a rookie last fall. Aziz Shittu has never been able to find his way onto the active unit, and was on the practice squad last season after missing all of 2016 on the IR. He may be a camp cut.

Linebacker Breakdown
Mychal Kendricks is now gone, having moved on to Cleveland, but there is still talent here. Nigel Bradham may be one of the more underrated LBs in the league, and was the field general last season after Jordan Hicks was injured. Hicks returns this season, but he has missed a lot of football in his first 3 years in the league (over 33%). He has to stay healthy, or the Eagles have to start finding other options for the MIKE spot. Nathan Gregory and Kamu Grugier-Hill are both battling in camp to take over the Kendricks role, but both have more of a special teams resume than one at LB.

Corey Nelson and Paul Worrilow will both be looking to add some depth at the WILL spot, and Worrilow also provides insurance at MIKE if Hicks goes down again. Joe Walker has some experience as a starter, but has not emerged as a riser yet.

Secondary Breakdown
Ronald Darby and Sidney Jones will both be starting at CB this season. Darby had some issues staying healthy last season, and is in the final year of his deal. Jones missed almost all of last season with an achilles injury, but seems ready to go this fall. Both have a lot to prove.

Jalen Mills could push for one of the starting jobs in camp, or could line up as the Nickel Corner against the slot. Rasul Douglas is the 4th corner, but could see plenty of field time as well. He will likely see time at both corner and safety. Jalen Mills should also see time in both spots as a reserve. Avonte Maddox, a rookie out of Pittsburgh, should also see some time as a rotational player, as the staff is intrigued with him. Randall Gofourth, a college Safety at UCLA, spent his entire rookie season on IR after an ACL tear. It's time to show what he has or be a camp cut. De'Vante Bausby has serious speed at Corner, but has not shown what he can do as of yet.

Malcolm Jenkins (SS) and Rodney McLeod (FS) form up one of the best Safety combos in the NFL. McLeod needs to have a huge season, however, as his cap number shot up by $5.3 million this season. Jenkins may line up all over the place, as Schwartz loves using him as a versatile weapon.

Tre Sullivan is back up from the practice squad, and it's time to show up or move out. Bausby could see a move to Safety to back up McLeod. Chris Maragos is back, and is the special teams leader, but missed a ton of time to injury last season.

Special Teams Breakdown
Jake Elliott was perfect in the playoffs, and returns as the PK after missing just 3 attempts all of last season. He will handle KO duty as well.

Cameron Johnston, a non roster invitee this season, should win the starting job at P, as he is the only option as of now.

Clement and Smallwood are your KR duo entering camp, while Sproles is your man on PR duty in his 14th season. Pumphery will likely back him up in that role.

Final Assessment: If the Eagles have any issues, it's on the back end of the defense at LB and CB. There is some talent in both areas, for certain, but not a lot of stability, and there are plenty of injury concerns as well. If injuries take hold, the Eagles could definitely get derailed there. If health holds up, the Eagles should be one of the deepest teams in the NFL across the board, and another Super Bowl chase should ensue. The health of Wentz is important, but not paramount right now, and there are weapons across the board at the disposal of Foles in the meantime, and the line should be one of the bets in the league. We should be seeing clear flying for the Eagles once again.