Posted July 20, 20223 yr Evaluating the Eagles' depth at every position Reuben Frank EAGLES INSIDER We’ve spent a good chunk of the offseason breaking down the Eagles’ starters in every imaginable way. Where have they improved? Where have they gotten worse? Who are their most important additions? What key guys did they lose? But we’re going to do something different and focus on the bottom half of the roster as Eagles training camp approaches. Let’s forget about the starters for a minute and look at the backups. Where do the Eagles have the most depth and where is their depth lacking? Training camp is really about the backups anyway. We all know who’s going to start. So here’s a look at the Eagles’ depth entering training camp. Quarterback Gardner Minshew is one of the better backup QBs in the league. His performance against the Jets – 20-for-25, 242 yards, two TDs, no INTs – was huge. Minshew’s 133.7 passer rating was highest by an Eagles QB in any regular-season game since Nick Foles’ perfect 158.3 in his seven-TD performance against the Raiders in 2013 and ninth-highest in franchise history in a road game. Minshew also played well in the meaningless season-ender vs. the Cowboys despite being surrounded by backups. His 104.8 passer rating for the season was second-highest in franchise history with a minimum of 50 attempts, behind Foles’ 119.2 in 2013. Likely third-stringer Carson Strong is a rookie with injury and mobility concerns but a strong arm and loaded college resume. Depth grade: A Running back Boston Scott and Kenny Gainwell have both shown lots of ability. Scott has averaged 4.4 yards per carry with 13 touchdowns on just 228 carries in three years in the rotation along with 8.0 yards on 62 catches. Gainwell last year became only the second Eagles rookie ever with 250 yards both rushing and receiving along with a rushing average of at least 4.3, and he scored six TDs on just 101 touches. Honestly, the Eagles’ biggest question at running back is Miles Sanders’ ability to stay healthy and not his backups. Scott has started 10 games since 2019, averaging 4.6 yards per carry with six TDs so he can fill in for a few games without a huge dropoff. Depth grade: B. Wide receiver We’ll consider Quez Watkins a third starter along with DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown since the Eagles (and everyone else) run so much three-wide. But Zach Pascal – who had 150 catches and 15 TDs in four seasons with the Colts – gives the Eagles much-improved depth, and Greg Ward – with 88 catches and 10 TDs the last three years – is a decent slot. Who knows where Jalen Reagor will fit in or if he’ll even be here. If the Eagles keep a sixth receiver it will likely be a young guy like Britain Covey, John Hightower or Devon Allen. Depth grade: B-plus. Tight end Perennial fill-in Richard Rodgers, now in his ninth NFL season, is the most experienced backup, with 147 career receptions and 15 touchdowns. He only caught two passes last year and is 30 so who knows what he can give you. Jack Stoll did play 331 snaps as an undrafted rookie last year but was only 4-for-22 receiving and so far at least appears to be a blocking specialist. Rookie 6th-round pick Grant Calcaterra was a capable receiver at Oklahoma and SMU but is only a project at this point and needs to improve his blocking. Tyree Jackson is also a project and still rehabbing his ACL. J.J. Arcega-Whiteside in the mix as well. Stoll is the only lock to make the roster behind Goedert, so safe to wonder who's going to catch the ball if Goedert gets hurt and Rodgers isn’t on the roster. Depth grade: D. Offensive tackle Things are a little dicey here. The Eagles are in great shape with starters Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata, but a lot of question marks beyond that. Former 1st-round pick Andre Dillard is a serviceable left tackle but hasn’t shown he can play right tackle, and Jack Driscoll has started five games at right tackle but hasn’t been able to stay healthy. Veteran Le’Raven Clark has played both tackles but isn’t even a lock to make the team. Brett Toth has been around a few years, so he's in the mix too. Ideally, you’d like one guy who can back up both tackles like Big V did, but right now the Eagles don’t have that. Depth grade: C. Offensive guard With Nate Herbig gone, the Eagles’ top backup guard is Sua Opeta, who has four starts to his credit, and Driscoll also has a lot of experience at guard as well. The Eagles seem to like both Jack Anderson and Kayode Awosika but neither has much experience. Cam Jurgens could probably play guard in a pinch but the Eagles would love to let him focus on center. Herbig, who started 17 games over the last two years, is definitely missed, but Opeta is solid. Depth grade: C-plus. Center Tough to say, since Jurgens is a rookie. But there's a fair chance that a 2nd-round pick with Jurgens’ college resume who gets to work with Jeff Stoutland will turn out OK. Jason Kelce never gets hurt, so you don’t expect Jurgens to even get on the field this year, but if he has to, he’d probably be fine. Kind of like Landon Dickerson, it might take him a few weeks to find his way, but he should be OK. Depth grade: B-minus. Defensive end Assuming Brandon Graham and Josh Sweat are the starters and if we’re considering Haason Reddick a SAM linebacker, Derek Barnett becomes the top depth guy at end, with Tarron Jackson and Matt Leo also in the mix. Considering that Barnett has 21 ½ sacks in five seasons that’s not ideal. B.G is coming off a serious injury and we don’t know how much playing time he’ll be able to handle, so defensive end depth is a concern. Depth grade: D. Defensive tackle The Eagles are in terrific shape at defensive tackle, with Javon Hargrave, Fletcher Cox, Jordan Davis and Milton Williams. It’s an ideal situation since Cox at this point in his career will benefit from limited snaps, and Davis will as well. All four will play, but if one of the starters gets hurt the Eagles are well-equipped to move the next guy up without a huge dropoff. Depth grade: A. Linebacker Decent depth at weak and middle, not so much at SAM. Kyzir White, Nakobe Dean and Davion Taylor can all play weak side and T.J. Edwards and Dean can play in the middle, and special teamer Shaun Bradley can as well. At strong-side, there isn’t much behind Reddick – just rookie 6th-round pick Kyron Johnson and last year’s 7th-round pick, Patrick Johnson. Depth grade: C-plus. Safety Probably the biggest depth concern on the roster. With Anthony Harris and Marcus Epps expected to start, the only experienced depth is 49ers castoff Jaquiski Tartt and 3rd-year pro K’Von Wallace. Jared Mayden and Andre Chachere are in the mix as well, but overall it’s a little bit precarious. Tartt could help, but it remains to be seen exactly what the Eagles have in the 30-year-old veteran. Depth grade: D. Cornerback Counting Avonte Maddox as a starter along with Darius Slay and James Bradberry leaves a lot of prospects, none of whom are proven. Jimmy Moreland has 10 career starts but is now with his third team in three years. Zech McPhearson was a 4th-round pick last year and the rest are just young, fast guys with no real track record – Kary Vincent Jr., Josiah Scott, Mac McCain III, Tay Gowan, Craig James, Mario Goodrich, Josh Jobe and Josh Blackwell. Throw ‘em out there at camp and see who sticks. It’ll be fun to watch, but there’s no guarantee any of them will be able to handle 70 snaps a game if one of the top three gets hurt. An option would be to move Maddox outside because it might be easier to replace a slot than an outside corner. But that's not his strength. Either way, the Eagles have three guys they can count on along with a bunch of unknowns. Depth grade: D. https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/eagles/evaluating-eagles-depth-every-position
July 20, 20223 yr Rube is being far too negative. Tackle - Dillard at left tackle and Driscoll at right is not a D Guard - Opeta, Driscoll, and Awisoka are not a C- Defensive end - have to consider Reddick in the DE rotation, you can't just dismiss him to the linebacker corps. Most teams wold like Barnett as their 4th DE. They're better than a D Linebacker - they might not be great but they are deep and this article is about depth. Should be higher. Corner - unproven, sure. But below average - no way.
July 20, 20223 yr 5 hours ago, Rob331 said: Rube is being far too negative. Tackle - Dillard at left tackle and Driscoll at right is not a D Guard - Opeta, Driscoll, and Awisoka are not a C- Defensive end - have to consider Reddick in the DE rotation, you can't just dismiss him to the linebacker corps. Most teams wold like Barnett as their 4th DE. They're better than a D Linebacker - they might not be great but they are deep and this article is about depth. Should be higher. Corner - unproven, sure. But below average - no way. I agree with you.
July 20, 20223 yr 5 hours ago, Rob331 said: Rube is being far too negative. Tackle - Dillard at left tackle and Driscoll at right is not a D Guard - Opeta, Driscoll, and Awisoka are not a C- Defensive end - have to consider Reddick in the DE rotation, you can't just dismiss him to the linebacker corps. Most teams wold like Barnett as their 4th DE. They're better than a D Linebacker - they might not be great but they are deep and this article is about depth. Should be higher. Corner - unproven, sure. But below average - no way. My biggest disapointment is the lack of thoroughness in evaluation (i'll expand shortly). BTW: He gave OT a C (not a D).
July 20, 20223 yr Pro football is a rugged sport over a long season and injuries are inevitable - thus, depth is an important consideration. Other factors come into play besides numbers, namely salary caps, experience, talent, attitudes, motivation and relative importance of each position. Let's see if I can expand this evaluation.
July 20, 20223 yr Quarterback: No team wants to rely on an inexperienced rookie in this important position. However, exceptions can be made for a heir apparent. The Eagles are in relatively good shape for 2022. This season will dictate how to go forward with both starter and backup positions. I agree with a B rating for 2022.
July 20, 20223 yr Running Back: This position is unique in that it is usually treated as a runner by commitee. Therefore, depth in both numbers and strengths are required. I feel we are in a good position, including potential practice squad members. I give a B+.
July 20, 20223 yr Tight End: I really loved having 2 starters. I fear an injury at this important position. Rating: D
July 20, 20223 yr Offensive Line: Backups ideally can play multiple positions capably. We have at least 3 experienced vets that we can trust. Center is the position that will offer the most versatility. Rating: B 2023 will need some attention.
July 20, 20223 yr Front Six or Seven: Versatility will be highly valued by these reserves The same will apply to the starters. Indeed there will be multiple fronts and frequent substitutions, so backups will be expected to contribute. We may have 3 DTs or 4 LBs on the field at any given time. As a group I give the "reserves" a B rating.
July 20, 20223 yr Defensive Backs: Skills, experience and versatility counts here. This group is unproven. Rating: D
July 21, 20223 yr I'd say WR is a little better than a B-? Brown and Smith are one of the better tandems in the NFL and Watkins is a really nice #3. And let's not under rate Pascal as a #4. What team is solid at #4 WR? I'm sure hardly any abs Pascal is at least solid.
July 21, 20223 yr Another way to assess this is based upon the philosophy of injuries inevitably will occur and the next man up must be ready. How do you feel about the primary reserve's ability to not lose a beat?
July 21, 20223 yr Author 2 hours ago, Crazy Legs said: No offense, but please re-read Reuben's premise...backups only'. So when it comes to WR, what are you considering "backups" ... the WR4 and WR5 spots? Because your two starting outside WRs and slot WR are all usually considered "starters". So we have to base the ranking on those 2 spots (and possibly practice squad members)? In that case Brown, Smith, and Watkins aren't part of the evaluation - you are basing it on Pascal and Reagor (and if including PS possibilities, Hightower, Covey, Cain, Wheatfall, etc.).
July 21, 20223 yr 27 minutes ago, time2rock said: So when it comes to WR, what are you considering "backups" ... the WR4 and WR5 spots? Because your two starting outside WRs and slot WR are all usually considered "starters". So we have to base the ranking on those 2 spots (and possibly practice squad members)? In that case Brown, Smith, and Watkins aren't part of the evaluation - you are basing it on Pascal and Reagor (and if including PS possibilities, Hightower, Covey, Cain, Wheatfall, etc.). Yes, plus Ward or whomever else makes the final roster cut. Just pray we don't lose multiple starters.
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