Ranking Eagles’ 6 most concerning roster issues entering training camp

[UK_EaglesFan89]

Ranking Eagles’ 6 most concerning roster issues entering training camp

 

The Eagles have put together a strong roster this offseason, but there’s always room for improvement in the NFL.

While Philadelphia has a solid depth chart that could contend for the NFC East’s best overall group, there are still some concerning spots on the roster that could use some reinforcements. If the Eagles want to go deep into the playoffs, they’ll need to sure-up the segments of their roster that remain cloaked in mystery.

Here is a ranking of the Eagles’ six most concerning depth issues heading into training camp:

1. How will the Eagles replace Brandon Brooks?

Brooks tore his left Achilles last week, and he’s expected to miss the entire upcoming season. With Brooks on the shelf, the Eagles have a major hole to fill at right guard. While Brooks has dealt with three major injuries in 18 months, he’s missed very little field time during that span. Now, the Eagles will need to go an entire campaign without the three-time Pro Bowl lineman.

Matt Pryor is the likeliest in-house option to replace Brooks. He replaced Brooks during the final two games of last year’s playoff push and performed admirably. However, those two games offered a small sample size, and Pryor is still relatively inexperienced. That makes his potential promotion risky.

The Eagles could choose to bring in a notable veteran like Larry Warford or Ronald Leary this offseason, but that kind of move might go against the team’s cost-prohibitive strategy. Someone like Josh Kline might make sense as a low-cost option. That said, no matter who replaces Brooks, the Eagles won’t have peace of mind until they see said fill-in touch the field in training camp.

2. Can the Eagles mitigate the damage caused by the loss of Malcolm Jenkins?

The Eagles are going to replace Jenkins with a committee this year. The team re-signed former starting cornerback Jalen Mills to transition to strong safety this offseason. While he has experience at the position from his college days, converting to safety after four years of cornerback play in the NFL isn’t necessarily easy. Mills will compete with Will Parks and fourth-round rookie K’Von Wallace for playing time.

PWhile Mills, Parks and Wallace all have intriguing upside at the position, their outlook is based on potential and not proven work within the Eagles’ secondary. The Eagles are clearly all-in on the idea of the trio teaming up with Rodney McLeod at the position this season, so the hope is that one member of the group can step up and replace Jenkins’ versatility and leadership on the backend.

3. Do the Eagles have a legitimate No. 2 cornerback on the roster?

With Mills transitioning to safety, and Ronald Darby now in Washington, the Eagles will need to find a new starting cornerback to pair with trade acquisition Darius Slay, who will serve as the team’s top cover man. The presumed competition between former fourth-round pick Avonte Maddox and former second-round pick Sidney Jones is compelling. Both cornerbacks can play inside and outside, but working the perimeter on a full-time basis has eluded them throughout their young careers.

Jones’ spot in the lineup has been ever-changing due to performance and injury issues, while Maddox has dealt with similar transitional phases. Both have had their moments in coverage, but Maddox has been the more consistently impressive of the pair. While there are segments of the fan base who have faith in one or both young players, the jury is still out on their fit on the outside entering training camp.

4. Can Andre Dillard replace Jason Peters?

pDillard’s performance was uneven during his rookie season. While he had some positive moments, he sometimes was overpowered as a blocker. Given that issue, the 2019 first-round pick has added weight in hopes of improving his strength as he gets ready to replace Peters, a legendary left tackle.

While Dillard is earmarked to replace Peters, the team hasn’t closed the door on a reunion with the veteran lineman. If Peters were to return, it would most likely be as the starting left tackle, knocking Dillard back down the depth chart for a second consecutive season. The final decision on Peters will probably be made during the first few weeks of training camp, as the Eagles will want to evaluate Dillard before bringing in a high-priced veteran who would cut into the second-year player’s development.

5. Are thpe Eagles actually better at wide receiver?

The Eagles spent three draft picks on receiver prospects this offseason. The team selected Jalen Reagor in the first round, John Hightower in the fifth round and Quez Watkins in the sixth round. Philadelphia also traded for veteran speedster Marquise Goodwin during draft weekend.

Just because the team has peppered the depth chart with four new pass-catchers, that doesn’t mean its wide receiver problems are solved. Reagor has notable potential, but he may start behind oft-injured veteran DeSean Jackson to begin the season. Hightower, Watkins and Goodwin bring added speed to the lineup but none of them are guaranteed a roster spot. Former second-round pick J.J. Arcega-Whiteside won’t be able to answer questions about his ability until the preseason and veteran Alshon Jeffery is likely to start the campaign on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.

pThe Eagles can feel better about their upside (and speed) at the position, but as of now, the group remains a mystery from an on-the-field standpoint.

6. Will the Eagles’ linebackers be able to overcome their inexperience?

The Eagles head into training camp with an inexperienced group at linebacker. With Nigel Bradham and Kamu Gruiger-Hill no longer on the roster, the Eagles are likely to use Nathan Gerry and T.J. Edwards as their top two linebackers. While both flashed potential last season, neither player has been a full-time three-down linebacker at the NFL level.

The Eagles added Jatavis Brown in free agency to serve as a veteran presence in the linebacker room but he’s not guaranteed to make the team. He also may only serve as a special teams ace if he does earn a job.

Along with the lack of starting experience at the position, the Eagles’ depth at linebacker is paper-thin with proven entities. While Duke Riley and Alex Singleton were special teams standouts last year, neither has seen a significant amount of playing time with the Eagles on defense. Rookies Davion Taylor and Shaun Bradley both seem like long-term projects with high upside.

At this point, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Eagles add a veteran linebacker before the start of the regular season. Bradham is still available in free agency, though the Eagles don’t seem to be in a rush to re-sign him.

https://www.nj.com/eagles/2020/06/ranking-eagles-6-most-concerning-roster-issues-entering-training-camp.html

Some major questions to be answered. 

[DeathByEagle]

1- Pryor will get that time at RG. He played there last season when Brooks could not play and will take over this year until Brooks is ready to return.

2- I like Mills at safety. I think a lot of fans felt when he was drafted he should end up at the safety position. i want to see how him and Wallace can produce in the position. With the scheme we have and all the DBs Im expecting nickel big most of the game like the past few seasons. 3 Safeties on the field, 3 corners. Now would I pull a deal for Adams? OMG yes I would. His age, passion, skills and leadership would transform this team for the future. With no deal There are some big question marks in the position. Its a complete unknown until mid season and watching film. Under Jim's scheme I always felt our DBs are at a disadvantage. Any improvement will be nice to see. But I think the true test is the new DB coach and if our D doesnt majorly improve and we move on from Jim at the end of his contract(this year) How will these same DBs produce in a different scheme with a new DC? this question mark might not be answered until 2021 season. 

3- I believe in Jones. His injury was min 1 to 1 1/2 years. Players come back too early in todays game. Wentz came back too early. Last year in the back end of the season when given more of a chance you saw some major improvement in Jones. I saw swag and confidence which is key in the DB position. If he is given the outside corner spot day 1 and they stick with him he will be a solid corner. Key is he needs to stay outside for one. Some players need that sideline. They also need to let him take him bumps and bruises. Can;t pull him after 1 or 2 bad games. The same as above, Jones also could benefit in 2021 with a new DC and scheme. 

4- I have faith in Dillard. Peters has gone down last year and when Dillard stepped in he was fine. I was actually quite impressed with how he played with no work with the starters and so early in the season. Did he struggle on the RT spot? Yes. But he is not a RT, he is a LT. Those who play madden or never stepped foot on a football field will say "Well its just swapping sides" Its completely different. Unlike the WR position that moves all over the place and there is no set position anymore, the RT/LT spot in a lot of players is a set position. With the tape I saw with him at LT he looked pretty good to me. At the same time Oline is the position you need to have snaps together to get on the same page. our Oline needs to play every preseason game together. Get in sync. 

5- This to me is a question you can not answer till mid season. There are too many question marks. Reagor, Hightower, Watkins, Whteside are all projects. the new WR coach will earn his money this season. But if one or 2 of them get on page this core could be scary. Djax is all about health. I knw what he can do on the field when he is out there. Its just how long will he be out there. I still like Ward but mostly as a situational player/4th WR. This position will also depend on how Doug adjusts his scheme and play design to fit each player and their strengths. 

6- I like the Eagles LBs at this time. We are not a base 3 LB team. We are not even a 2 LB team base. We are a nickel big team. 3 Corners, 3 Safeties with 1 LB on the field. We have speed that is for sure at the position. Unlike most i am very high in Brown from SD. i like what that kid has. Very good tackler, sideline to sideline speed. I like him over Gerry. Our rookies are just that, projects. Edwards, Gerry will see snaps but again is will be more rare to see multiple LBs on the field other then on special teams. 

[PoconoDon]

1 - Pryor? Yes.   Warford? Depth.   Leary? Never, he's turrible.

2 - Safety won't be as good, but will improve throughout the year so it'll be OK.

3 - Jones? LMAO. Just trade his cowardly lion self if you can, please! Maddox will win the spot for 2020, but a prototypical upgrade for 2021 will be needed.

4 - Dillard's reported commitment in the weight room is encouraging as it was his biggest off season need. He may work his way to being a rare exception to the PAC-12 softee curse. 

5 - They have more options at WR. Better? Probably, but it's mostly because there isn't much room to be worse.

6 - The LB'ers appear more athletic and that'll help some. If they learn fast and are disciplined in their assignments, they'll be good enough now with room to grow as they gain experience.