Philadelphia Eagles five easiest roster decisions for the offense

[time2rock]

Philadelphia Eagles five easiest roster decisions for the offense

Might the Eagles shop two former first-rounders during the 2022 offseason?

Everyone that was watching remembers the night the Philadelphia Eagles drafted Jalen Reagor with the 21st-overall selection of the 2020 NFL Draft. There was excitement because we were all quarantining (and the draft was the first live sporting event that we had seen in a while). There was also the shock and horror that came along with Philly’s decision to take Jalen Reagor over Justin Jefferson.

Reagor’s selection, ever since that night, has stung for another reason. One, Jefferson has blossomed into a star, and Reagor hasn’t. Second, the Eagles had also taken Andre Dillard with the 22nd-overall selection of the 2019 NFL Draft. That decision hasn’t produced much fruit either.

Dillard missed the entire 2020 NFL season due to torn biceps. We’ve also learned that he’s, at best, average and incapable of playing right tackle. Seeing him lose his spot to a former rugby star that never played American football before 2018 hasn’t helped his case either. The Eagles, if they’re wise, will spend some time trying to shop them both.

Philly’s brass can be stubborn, but if they’re wise, they’ll shop both to see what interested trade partners are willing to offer. They’ll never get more for either guy than they can get for them right now.

That should be one of the easiest roster decisions that the Eagles make as we enter the offseason. Here are for more that also qualify.

It’s time for the Eagles to finally end the JJ Arcega-Whiteside experiment.

There’s this old philosophy that talks about captains going down with the ship. We get it. We completely understand its meaning. Very rarely, however, have we heard about ships going down because of the captain though unless, of course, you want to bring up The Titanic. Either way, that’s still a bad look.

Now, while JJ Arcega-Whiteside has never proven to be a leader on this team, in the locker room or on the field, we’d like to tie him to that sinking ship analogy. Ever since his selection by the Eagles with the 57th-overall selection, during Round 2 of the 2019 NFL Draft, he’s done nothing to prove that he’s worthy of the organization placing so much faith in him.

He was labeled, internally, as the second coming of Alshon Jeffery in his prime. Unfortunately, he more closely resembles the broken-down Alshon Jeffery that we last saw. Heck, Jeffrey Lurie might even look better running routes.

Okay, that last statement might be a stretch, but it isn’t much of one.

We realize that Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni calls him Philly’s ‘enforcer’ and all, but the jig is up. The Eagles’ brass isn’t going to pacify the fan base with that ‘this is the year’ rhetoric. The experiment has run its course. It’s failed, and it’s time to move on.

If the Miami Dolphins were willing to take Mack Hollins and give him playing time, we’re convinced that we can get something for JJAW. At this point, we’ll take anything, and yes, we do mean anything… a pack of crackers… more snacks in the break room… yes fans, anything!

The Eagles need to do whatever it takes to land Mike Williams.

By now, we’ve all agonized over the Eagles’ snafus when it comes to drafting wide receivers long enough. There are times when it feels like Howie Roseman is a spy who’s been sent to ruin this team from the inside. After much discussion, we’ve realized that he’s on our side. He just has no clue about how to evaluate and draft wide receiver prospects. It’s for that reason that we’re on the side of him trying to buy one this time around.

We realize that these types of conversations can be subjective, but here’s our theory on who the top wide receivers are that are expected to hit the free-agency pool in March.

• Davante Adams (Green Bay)
• Chris Godwin (Tampa Bay)
• Mike Williams (LA Chargers)
• Odell Beckham Jr. (LA Rams)
• Allen Robinson (Chicago)

There are others, but no one should object too much about those guys earning a place in the top five. Here’s what you want to think about if you’re like us and you believe the Birds are better suited to buy a receiver than draft one.

Davante Adams is sure to cost more than the Eagles will want to pay. That’s if the Green Bay Packers allow him to walk in free agency. There’s no guarantee of that. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may not allow Chris Godwin to get away either, but if both test free agency, they’ll be the most expensive fish in the pool.

Mike Williams is the third-best receiver in free agency. Odell Beckham Jr. proved he has some juice left, but he’s deteriorating physically. There are no guarantees with Allen Robinson.

The Eagles have freed up some cap space, but they don’t need to blow all of their money on Adams or Godwin. Williams won’t be inexpensive either, but in terms of the best bang for Philly’s bucks, this may be the guy. He also gives them the veteran presence in the locker room they’ve needed for a while.

The Eagles need to move on from Nate Herbig and Jason Croom.

There isn’t much of a need for dissection or a ton of thought here. The Eagles expect Isaac Seumalo to return from injury in 2022 (more on that in a second). He’s never made a Pro Bowl. He’s never been voted All-Pro, but it’s easy to get overlooked when you’ve had Jason Peters, Jordan Mailata, Jason Kelce, Brandon Brooks, and Lane Johnson as teammates. Make no mistake about it though. Isaac is the best left guard no one talks about.

Behind him on the depth chart is Landon Dickerson. Philly also has solid youth at the guard position with Jack Driscoll, Sua Opeta, and Kayode Awosika. There’s no need to spend money on Nate Herbig that can be used to fill a more pressing need at another position, nor do the Eagles need to hang on to tight end Jason Croom.

Even though he’s earned the rare distinction of having his lone NFL reception result in a touchdown, there isn’t much of an argument for him staying. Dallas Goedert is set as this team’s TE1, and the Birds have better prospects at the position in Jack Stoll, Tyree Jackson (if they can get something out of him), and Noah Togiai. The Eagles can also draft a tight end come April if they’re pressed about adding another body.

The Eagles must extend Isaac Seumalo.

Gosh, you guys have a great memory. If you’re thinking to yourselves that we mentioned Isaac Seumalo as someone the Eagles could consider trading to clear even more cap room, you’re right.

There are always two sides to every story though, and while there’s nothing wrong with asking if it’s wide for the Birds to consider moving on and saving themselves the $7.6 million he’d be due in 2022 (he counts as 5.8 million in dead money), there’s no denying the fact that this team’s offensive line is, without question, better with him than they are without him. If you’ll remember, he was a big part of this team’s O-line winning the Built Ford Tough Offensive Line of the Year Award on the eve of Super Bowl LII.

Seumalo is signed through the 2022 season, and this team has proven that they can win without him, but this is one of the better players on this team’s offensive roster. Again, he’s the best left guard that no one talks about when he’s healthy.

This team isn’t in a position where they can ship off their best players, and Seumalo definitely falls into that category, It’s time for Howie Roseman to get on the line with Isaac’s agent. It’s time to begin discussing whether or not an extension can be drawn up. Sure, he missed most of the 2021-2022 NFL season with an injury, but overall, he’s proven to be fairly sturdy.

https://insidetheiggles.com/2022/02/19/eagles-easiest-roster-decisions-offense/

[birdman#12]

After what Sirianni and his staff did this year, I'd rather wait until they have OTAs and training camp to see what they select and how they use them.  I didn't agree with some of the things Sirianni did, but they all seemed to get into a groove and improve as the year went on.   

I believe some players develop with good coaching.....and can bounce back in a big way.   Some may never reach their perceived potential, but I'd rather Sirianni and his coaches make that call.

[Rob331]

1. Works for me, but who would want Reagor. I'd love a 3rd for Dillard, but don't think it's in the cards. 4th or 5th.
2. I'm 100% in agreement - JJAW needs to move on
3. I'd love to have Williams, but given the price tag and other needs I expect Chark or Gallup
4. Croom yes Herbig no. Herbig has adequately stepped in every time he's called upon. 
5. Not necessarily. I like Seumalo, but he already under contract so he doesn't need an extension. Plus, we're loaded in the interior line - Dickerson, Driscoll, Awisoka, Opeta, Clark, Anderson, and hopefully Kelce.