They’ll have options this offseason, whether it’s re-signing Sanders, investing in a decent free agent class of running backs, or spending a pick in what’s expected to be a strong draft class. One factor here is I don’t expect the Eagles to allocate big money, or future money, to the position. (My view: Look at Hurts as the short-yardage/goal-line running back.) Running backs coach Jemal Singleton said the Eagles don’t necessarily need a big-bodied back and they can get short-yardage effectiveness in other ways. They have found production without big-name talent at the position before. Miles Sanders has missed time in each of his three seasons, Boston Scott has been a fine replacement and the Eagles want Kenny Gainwell to take a step in Year 2. The backup running backs impressed in Sunday’s preseason game and running back is a fungible position, but there’s a class above replacement level that the Eagles could seek. The two positions where I could see the Eagles trying to fortify their depth is running back and tight end. If you’re looking for a big move during the next week, safety is the position to watch.ģ. The Eagles could seek a free-agent-to-be who a team is unlikely to re-sign, similar to the Ronald Darby trade in 2017, but those are easier in theory than in practice because teams must have a suitable backup plan to part with a starter. Baltimore’s Chuck Clark would be intriguing, but it sounds as if the Ravens want to keep the sixth-year safety. It’s more likely a marginal change and hoping to get by with what they have. And the other moves they’ve made ( Josiah Scott sliding over from the slot, trading for Ugo Amadi) weren’t done with the top of the depth chart in mind.Īt this point in the summer, it’s hard to gauge what the Eagles can do to make a big change at the position. The Jaquiski Tartt signing was always more of a dart throw to get something like Corey Graham in 2017 than a solution to fix the position.
#Eight thoughts upgrade#
That shows you they sought a big-ticket upgrade at the position.
They tried signing Marcus Williams in free agency and couldn’t land him. This is a situation in which it’s better to watch what they do more than what they say. The Eagles will try to tell you that they’re not concerned about their safeties. That doesn’t necessarily mean Harris will be out of a job, but this is a notable change from last year when Epps was the third safety behind Harris and Rodney McLeod. Note the way Sirianni framed this: Led by Marcus. “ I think we have good competition in that group, led by Marcus, and then you have some good pieces to work with,” Sirianni said. Marcus Epps is the top safety at this point - not Anthony Harris - and the Eagles are trying to figure out the starting job next to Epps. The biggest concern for the Eagles is safety, and it will be interesting to see if or how Roseman could fix it. The ceiling depends upon Hurts’ progress.Ģ.
The Eagles’ talent should provide a high floor. In order for the Eagles to enter that higher tier of teams, Hurts must push closer to the tier of quarterbacks who lead those teams. This is the best roster the Eagles have had entering a season since (at least) 2018 - the year after the Super Bowl. It says something about the Eagles that they’re thought of as highly as they are with Hurts entering his second year as the starter. Look at the quarterbacks on those teams: Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, Russell Wilson, Dak Prescott, Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady and Matthew Stafford. There are only eight teams with higher win totals from oddsmakers: the Bills, Chiefs, Chargers, Broncos, Cowboys, Packers, Bucs and Rams. Kyzir White and James Bradberry are both upgrades at their positions. Defensively, Jordan Davis and Haason Reddick allow the Eagles to be more flexible and versatile in defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon’s second season. Brown isn’t merely a major upgrade at wide receiver, but he fits what Nick Sirianni wants to do on offense and complements DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert, giving the Eagles what they didn’t have and potentially enhancing the other targets.
The lines are the best indicator for success (other than quarterback, of course). But elsewhere on the roster, general manager Howie Roseman has built one of the NFL’s best lineups with quality and depth on both lines of scrimmage. The obvious qualifier is it all depends on Jalen Hurts’ performance. Watching every practice from the past month, it’s clear that optimism about the Eagles is well-founded. It makes sense why the Eagles are gaining traction from bettors. With the preseason coming to a close this week and the regular season fast approaching, The Athletic’s Zach Berman will begin offering regular weekly thoughts/notes/analysis about the Philadelphia Eagles.ġ.
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