38 minutes ago, mattwill said:

I agree that Becton is the highest priority, but I have him 1A and Baun as 1B.  Then it drops off to Williams and Sweat as 3 and 4 or 4 and 3.  Sweat’s loss can be somewhat mitigated by Graham coming back for one more year, and Williams’ loss mitigated by signing Hargrave for a year.  Hargrave next to Carter is interesting to contemplate.

This is what I think the Eagles will prioritize, not what I would do.

If it were up to me, yeah, Becton and Baun stay.

45 minutes ago, TEW said:

Thinking about the big 4 free agents and talking through it, I think I’ve changed my prediction a bit.

I think the guy we will definitely keep is Becton. This is a no brainer — he’s a unicorn level talent, a pro bowl level performer right now, and he has the potential to solve the Lane Johnson retirement problem.

Next most likely is Williams. The money will probably too much, but he seems to be a starter and we’ve always prioritized interior DL.

Baun is next. At the end of the day, is Howie going to give a 1 year wonder a NFL record contract for the position? I’m going to say probably not, especially because there are a lot of LBs in this draft class who fit the versatile, athletic mold that Fangio wants.

And then lastly, Sweat. I would have had him #2 six weeks ago, but the emergence of Smith and Hunt changes the dynamic. We can go young at EDGE and save a lot of money.

Overall, I think we only keep Becton. The draft will be heavy on the front 7, as the youngest and best defense in the NFL gets even younger and more athletic.

Howie spent more than usual for a RB. I could see him changing his view on LBs too considering what we've seen Baun do

I've been pounding the table that Milton Williams is a must sign. Just looked at the DT FA class and boy, he is the cream of the crop. He's going to get PAID. 

What the Eagles need to figure out is do they pay Williams this year or Davis next year? I know they both play DT, but in different roles. What's Davis going to cost? Then in 2 years, Carters record breaking deal will be signed.

13 minutes ago, mattwill said:

In thinking about the Sweat situation, if we resign Graham, draft Shamar Stewart, and see a resurgence of Bryce Huff to go with Nolan Smith and Jalyn Hunt continuing to grow, we will be in good shape.

Although the latest Mock on ESPN has us picking Nic Scourton, and I would be very happy with that. 

I like Stewart a lot the back end of the draft, if he doesn't have a major rise which is always possible. I don't think Scourton is there that late but he would absolutely be on my radar. I do want a defensive lineman, preferably end, with the first rounder. If we can get a lineman with quality size that can play inside and outside that would be very intriguing. 

4 minutes ago, Mike030270 said:

Howie spent more than usual for a RB. I could see him changing his view on LBs too considering what we've seen Baun do

Yeah, it’s possible — especially with Fangio in his ear.

That said, Howie has a long track record of not paying LBs, but he DID pay Shady McCoy big money.

4 minutes ago, greendestiny27 said:

I like Stewart a lot the back end of the draft, if he doesn't have a major rise which is always possible. I don't think Scourton is there that late but he would absolutely be on my radar. I do want a defensive lineman, preferably end, with the first rounder. If we can get a lineman with quality size that can play inside and outside that would be very intriguing. 

Agreed, and Stewart looks to be that kind of Edge … like Graham has been.

20 minutes ago, mattwill said:

In thinking about the Sweat situation, if we resign Graham, draft Shamar Stewart, and see a resurgence of Bryce Huff to go with Nolan Smith and Jalyn Hunt continuing to grow, we will be in good shape.

Although the latest Mock on ESPN has us picking Nic Scourton, and I would be very happy with that. 

If Williams leaves, my guy in the first round is Walter Nolan. Playing next to Carter would have cheat code potential.

Heck, even if Williams stays I’d consider it. 

8 minutes ago, bpac55 said:

I've been pounding the table that Milton Williams is a must sign. Just looked at the DT FA class and boy, he is the cream of the crop. He's going to get PAID. 

What the Eagles need to figure out is do they pay Williams this year or Davis next year? I know they both play DT, but in different roles. What's Davis going to cost? Then in 2 years, Carters record breaking deal will be signed.

If that's the case, Howie could already be salivating over that 3rd round comp pick. I feel as though Baun is a must extend. I don't have all that much confidence Howie pays around 12 mil per year for a LB which is probably what he will go for easily, but I am hoping he has finally seen the light of what an impact LB can do for a defense and Vic pounds the table.
We always can exercise the 5th year option on Jordan which isn't anything outrageous. 

3 minutes ago, mattwill said:

Agreed, and Stewart looks to be that kind of Edge … like Graham has been.

Yes, and Stewart has very impressive measureables to add to the d-line. 

3 minutes ago, greendestiny27 said:

If that's the case, Howie could already be salivating over that 3rd round comp pick. I feel as though Baun is a must extend. I don't have all that much confidence Howie pays around 12 mil per year for a LB which is probably what he will go for easily, but I am hoping he has finally seen the light of what an impact LB can do for a defense and Vic pounds the table.
We always can exercise the 5th year option on Jordan which isn't anything outrageous. 

Another thing to consider with Baun is that they drafted Dean and Trotter. Do they think they can "get by" with those two if Baun walks? I hope Baun is back, but just trying to put myself in the management's shoes to think of scenarios. Howie might want to prove his draft picks can play.

 

Yes!!!

 

6 hours ago, BigEFly said:

Two time and possibly three time MVP Lamar Jackson might disagree.  In fact, the two leading QBs in the MVP this year might disagree with that.  Frankly, the  "traditional” way came about because of a fear of injury to QBs from running.  Designed runs for the QB have been part of just about every type of college offense design for the entire 6+ decades that I have been watching football.

The goal isn't MVP trophies.  And in the playoffs, the Ravens and Jackson have been rather disappointing... a 2-5 record, 1-3 at home.  

As for college offenses, college offenses don't have to protect their QBs as much... for two reasons... 
1 - they only have to worry about that QB for 4 years... and if they get beat up and can't do it after those 4 years, no big deal.
2 - if the QB gets hurt, they can just turn to the next 4 or 5 star recruit QB.

NFL teams can't do that.  The stakes are much higher if their QB gets hurt... and they don't have one waiting in the wings to take over.

27 minutes ago, bpac55 said:

Another thing to consider with Baun is that they drafted Dean and Trotter. Do they think they can "get by" with those two if Baun walks? I hope Baun is back, but just trying to put myself in the management's shoes to think of scenarios. Howie might want to prove his draft picks can play.

Man, I love the fact that we added ax man Junior but he is nowhere near Dean never mind Baun. Howie could go that route but I would prep myself for the D to drop off majorly from what we are now. 

1 minute ago, greendestiny27 said:

Man, I love the fact that we added ax man Junior but he is nowhere near Dean never mind Baun. Howie could go that route but I would prep myself for the D to drop off majorly from what we are now. 

No he's not. He has instincts. Can he add any weight? 

1 hour ago, mattwill said:

I agree that Becton is the highest priority, but I have him 1A and Baun as 1B.  Then it drops off to Williams and Sweat as 3 and 4 or 4 and 3.  Sweat’s loss can be somewhat mitigated by Graham coming back for one more year, and Williams’ loss mitigated by signing Hargrave for a year.  Hargrave next to Carter is interesting to contemplate.

Nah hargrave is done. Williams is still an ascending player. 
 

Baun is 1. And probably 2 as well

5 minutes ago, ToastJenkins said:

Nah hargrave is done. Williams is still an ascending player. 
 

Baun is 1. And probably 2 as well

Baun, to me, is first and foremost. Williams is right there too. Becton can come back for the right price but I want to keep him at guard. Sweat maybe can come back on a team friendly deal again. 

22 minutes ago, greendestiny27 said:

Man, I love the fact that we added ax man Junior but he is nowhere near Dean never mind Baun. Howie could go that route but I would prep myself for the D to drop off majorly from what we are now. 

Truth bomb.

 

 

The drop off of going from Becton to Steen wouldn’t be nearly as drastic as going from Baun to whoever replaces him in my opinion. Baun should absolutely be 1A in getting re-signed. I trust Stoutland in getting another RG ready over striking gold at linebacker again, which has traditionally been a weak point. 

I’ve barely looked at any prospects yet and have nothing to compare him to, but I’m quite impressed by James Pearce Jr.  I assume he gets drafted top 15-20 so he might be irrelevant to where the Eagles will be picking, but he’s impressive for a guy who’s a bit raw.

Pretty strong bull rush, holds up well against the run, and his outside-inside move looked like a cheat code to the QB in some games.  On the downside, I saw twitch but not bend and he needs to diversify his arsenal.

3 hours ago, TEW said:

If Williams leaves, my guy in the first round is Walter Nolan. Playing next to Carter would have cheat code potential.

Heck, even if Williams stays I’d consider it. 

Nolen would be awesome as well.  

3 hours ago, ToastJenkins said:

Nah hargrave is done. Williams is still an ascending player. 
 

Baun is 1. And probably 2 as well

If all other things … like money … were equal Williams is the choice over Hargrave 11 times out of 10. But money isn’t going to be equal.  Hargrave and Graham would be one year stop gaps … pretty good stop gaps, but stop gaps nonetheless.

Keeping Becton and Steen isn’t a stop gap move, it is a succession plan.

Baun needs to be kept … absolutely, no questions asked.

P.S.  Hargrave isn’t done.  He is injured.  And if they brought him in and he didn’t have anything left, they would simply cut him the way they cut  Devin White.

1 hour ago, BDawk_ASamuel said:

The drop off of going from Becton to Steen wouldn’t be nearly as drastic as going from Baun to whoever replaces him in my opinion. Baun should absolutely be 1A in getting re-signed. I trust Stoutland in getting another RG ready over striking gold at linebacker again, which has traditionally been a weak point. 

I don’t think it is a choice between Baun and Becton.  The plan must be to keep both.  The players on the fence are Sweat and Williams in my opinion.

3 hours ago, bpac55 said:

Another thing to consider with Baun is that they drafted Dean and Trotter. Do they think they can "get by" with those two if Baun walks? I hope Baun is back, but just trying to put myself in the management's shoes to think of scenarios. Howie might want to prove his draft picks can play.

I hope he isn’t that shortsighted