With the season just days away, I will be breaking down the Eagles defense and special teams in this edition of my Eagles preview. There are significantly less question marks on this side of the ball, but in comparison to the offense there are a few glaring concerns that will be interesting to keep an eye on as the season progresses. Let’s get started:
Defensive Line: Brandon Graham, Fletcher Cox, Timmy Jernigan, Vinny Curry, Derek Barnett, Chris Long, Stephen Means, Beau Allen, Destiny Vaeao, Elijah Qualls
This is by far the greatest strength the Eagles have on their roster. Top to bottom this is, in my opinion, the deepest defensive line in the league.
It all starts in the middle of the line with Fletcher Cox. Cox is best player on the Eagles and is a disruptive force in all facets of the game. He had a slight regression in play last season after signing a $63 million dollar contract extension, but I am not nearly as concerned as some other fans are about him this season. The biggest key to unlocking Cox’s game changing potential was the trade for Timmy Jernigan, who they essentially swapped thirds with the Ravens to get on a one year rental. Jernigan has the same havoc wreaking ability that Cox does, which will be a nice change of pace for this line as a replacement to Bennie Logan, who was more of a gap plugging run stuffer. The two of them should be the best interior line tandem in the NFL this year. I wouldn’t be surprised if both of them were Pro Bowlers.
Last year’s pass rush left a lot to be desired, and it can be argued that Cox’s dip in play was directly attributed to the lack of an outside rush (as well as a lack of pass coverage, but we’ll get to that later.) Brandon Graham is the least of the Eagles worries at this position, and outside of his low sack numbers he was one of the league’s best in terms of pressuring the QB. I anticipate him finishing the play with more consistency this year. The other side of the line is what will be interesting, as they have a few guys who are going to get shots and cementing the starting role. The Eagles cut fan favorite Connor Barwin in order to open the door for Vinny Curry, who they inked to what many believe was a premature contract extension. Curry was underwhelming last year, only posting 2 sacks. There is a reason that the Eagles handed him a new contract, as he has shown he can get to the QB with ease in his first few seasons. I can see him bouncing back now that he has had another season in this system, which will bode well for the line as a whole.
Howie Roseman and Co. must not be completely satisfied with Curry, however, as they drafted Derek Barnett out of Tennessee 14th overall in the 2017 NFL Draft. This solves two potential problems for the Eagles. If Curry sucks, then they have a replacement. But if Curry is fine going forward, then it opens the door for them to save cap space by cutting bait with Brandon Graham. I don’t foresee the later happening, but they at least provided themselves the flexibility. Oh, and on top of all of that, dude looks like a beast. Even if Curry is any good this season, Derek Barnett flashed game changing ability this preseason and could supplant Curry just because it would be dumb not to have Barnett get more snaps.
I’ve basically already wrote a book on how great I think this line is, and I’m only halfway through their depth chart. Long, Allen, Vaeao, Qualls, and Means are all really great backups that will get rotated through a lot during games, as Jim Schwartz likes to keep the line fresh for late in games. This group also has a great combination of veteran leadership and prospects that you like to see when building a position group. Overall, I think this defensive line is going to give teams nightmares this year, and they could tops the league in most of the pass rushing categories if all goes well.
Linebackers: Jordan Hicks, Nigel Bradham, Mychal Kendricks, Najee Goode, Joe Walker, Kamu Grugier-Hill
Jordan Hicks is a flat out stud. In just 24 games, he has posted 100 tackles, 7 interceptions, 2 sacks, a forced fumble, 4 fumble recoveries, and 14 pass deflections. And he broke Tony Romo’s collarbone in his first game as an Eagle. The dude just makes plays, and I think that this year he will finally get the recognition that he deserves as one of the league’s best young linebackers. He may prove to be one of the only things Chip Kelly got right during his tenure with the team. He’s been banged up so far in his career, but as long as he can stay on the field he completely changes the capability of this defense due to him being a one man turnover machine.
Nigel Bradham was solid as a starter last year. Outside of his inability to know where his guns are and his penchant for beating up cabana boys, I love him as a football player. I look forward to him providing more solid play at the position this year as the other inside linebacker when the team is in its often-used nickel sets.
I’m honestly surprised Mychal Kendricks is still around, but when you look at the linebacker depth on this team I don’t think the Eagles could have afforded to part with him just yet. He also had a great preseason, which usually doesn’t mean anything but it was nice to see him look like his old self. When used properly, he is still a great player in my eyes. I think Schwartz is looking to blitz a bit more, which means we will most likely see Kendricks out there for those situations. I look for his snaps and production to increase this year, and could see him being a pleasant surprise for the team as a comeback player.
After Kendricks, its gets pretty murky. This is a glaring problem that the Eagles need to fix. Between Hicks’ injuries, Bradham’s idiocy, and Kendricks consistency you would think the Eagles would have made depth linebackers a priority. Goode and Grugier-Hill are great special teams guys, and Goode can hold down the fort from time to time, but I am not that confident in them if we had to go to them this season. Congrats to Stoop Kid Joe Walker for sticking on the roster after coming back from ACL surgery. He looked great this preseason, but I still need to see it in a game. The Eagles better hope they can keep their starters healthy or its going to change the dynamic of this defense entirely.
Defensive Backs: Malcolm Jenkins, Rodney McLeod, Ronald Darby, Jalen Mills, Patrick Robinson, Corey Graham, Jaylen Watkins, Rasul Douglas, Dexter McDougle, Chris Maragos, Sidney Jones*
This group, outside of the LB depth, is the biggest concern for the Eagles going into this season. Which was pretty apparent after they sent a 3rd round pick and Jordan Matthews for Ronald Darby halfway through the preseason. Darby, while very talented, was pretty awful last season after he showed out as a rookie. Think of him like the DB version of Kiko Alonso. I hope that Darby can find some type of consistency with the Eagles, and he is young so that’s a plus in terms of being able to develop him going forward. But the improvement of this group starts with him.
Jalen Mills is another big question mark in this secondary. He showed signs of being good during his rookie season. And you have to love the confidence he displays, finger wagging and shit when he makes a good play, even after giving up a bomb three plays prior. I personally think he can take a big step this year, but it’s far from a confident assessment on my part. As with Darby, the success of the defense basically sits on the duo’s shoulders.
I am not worried about Jenkins or McLeod, at all. I think the both of them do a great job as the team’s starting safeties. They are both versatile, athletic safeties that can allow this defense to align itself in a variety of ways. I think with the team cutting Ron Brooks they at least plan on Jenkins being used as a slot guy for certain situations. I don’t really like him in that role, but he provides the team with an option in case their depth guys can’t cut it. McLeod’s play dwindled slightly in the eyes of some fans later in the 2016 season, but I think overall he was one of Howie’s best signings since his resurgence as GM. I expect more of the same quality play from these two, and hopefully they can overshadow the shortcomings of the cornerback group.
Depth wise, the DBs just still aren’t there yet. Douglas could prove to be valuable, and could even beat out Mills to start if he can reach his potential. The dude is a ball hawk. I just don’t see the consistency yet. Outside of that Robinson, McDougle, Graham, and Watkins are just guys. Some of them stuck for special teams reasons, but if we lose a guy to injury shit could go south real fast. The one positive is that most of these backups can play CB and Safety, so at least it gives Schwartz the ability to find what works with various lineups should an unfortunate injury take place.
Second round pick Sidney Jones, while still injured, is something to keep an eye on. He has the option to start practicing in Week 6 or 7, and could come back if healthy for the second half of the season. I don't know if the Eagles will push him that hard to get back, but when healthy Jones may already be the best corner on the team. If he's able to come back down the stretch and play at a high level that would be huge, but I am not that optimistic just yet.
Special Teams: Donnie “Longball” Jones, Rick Lovato, Caleb Strugis Key Contributors: Chris Maragos, Kamu Grugier-Hill, Mack Hollins, Trey Burton, Darren Sproles, Wendell Smallwood
First off, I would like to comment on the trade of Jon Dorenbos and the subsequent health scare he had just today. Jon Dorenbos represented the Eagles with the upmost class and sportsmanship during his time here. He may have just been the long snapper, but Dorenbos really connected with Philly and did great things for the community during his time here. I’m sorry to hear about his heart condition and thoughts go out to Jon and his family.
As for Rick Lovato, I mean he can snap the ball which is 99% of the job unless he takes up magic so he can fill Jon’s shoes. As long as he doesn’t fuck up I don’t care what his name is. I may just pretend Jon Dorenbos is still the long snapper as a part of some really elaborate magic trick to steal a 7th rounder from the Saints.
After a brief scare he was going to get released, Donnie “Thunderfoot” Jones beat out Cam “Who” Johnston for the punting job. I don’t think I could have handled losing both Dorenbos and Jones. Look for Donnie to keep pinning opposing teams inside the 20 this season.
Caleb Sturgis is fine. I don’t really have much insight there. Just don’t fuck up.
Our special teams coverage units should continue to thrive under Dave Fipp’s reign of dominance, with returning aces Chris Maragos, Kamu Grugier-Hill, and Trey Burton being joined by colleges greatest gunner last year, Mack Hollins. It should be interesting to see how the kick returner role is decided. Smallwood looks to continue to be the main guy, and most of the offseason Agholor looked like the number 2. But I just heard today that Corey Clement said he will be active and fielding returns on Sunday, which is weird. So that’ll be something to keep an eye on.
And I think we are all confident that Sproles will at least take 2 back to the house this year on punts. I think this unit overall will continue its solid play and win a lot of close games for this team this year.
Overview:
I really like the direction this defense is going in. I talked at lengths about the defensive line, but the key is going to be how the symbiotic relationship between the pass rush and the pass coverage is in comparison to 2016. Last year, the pass coverage really let down the line, which caused there to be less time to get to the QB and disrupt opposing offenses. If they can sync that up this year, I think we’re looking at a top 10 defense. If not, were going to be seeing more of the same promise from the front 7 on the first two downs, only to give up a 30 yard gain on 3rd and long.
Special teams genius Dave Fipp leads another great looking unit this year. I have no concerns here, and I’d be surprised if they weren’t tops in the league again.
If the team can build upon its dominant point differential with a more consistent offense, a top defense, and a top special teams unit there’s no reason this team can’t be looking at a postseason berth, at least on paper. As long as the areas of concern that I highlighted don’t come back to bite us in the ass, I am confident that we will have a lot to be happy about as Eagles fans come January.
Coming up next, I will do a complete breakdown of the Eagles schedule with a win loss prediction for each game prior to the match up this Sunday with the Redskins.