We are less than a week away from games that matter. This Friday, the Eagles will take the field in a real game for the 1st time this season. This week we found out what their 53-man roster will be. There have already been a few tweaks, and there should continue to be tweaks before Friday, but we have a general idea of what the Eagles will look like vs the Packers.
Offense Primed For Success This Season
On paper, they look much better than they did this time last year. The offense is mostly the same. You lost Jason Kelce, which is a big hit, but otherwise, every position either got better or stayed the same. Saquon Barkley over D’Andre Swift is an upgrade. Jahan Dotson over Quez Watkins is an upgrade. We will see about Mekhi Becton at RG, but Cam Jurgens should at least be solid sliding over to center.
Tim McManus joined The Best Show Ever this week and had high praise for the Eagles offense.
“There’s certainly an outcome where they could be a top 3 offense, assuming that the front holds up. Obviously, the quarterback being a big part of that. And can he get back to that near MVP form. But I think there’s a lot to be excited about. It’s like a comet. Having AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith in their prime at the same time on the same team. And I think that Smith’s going to take another jump this year. I think they have a chance to be absolutely the best wide receiver corps in the NFL.”
Related: This Could Be The Best Offense In Eagles History
Did The Eagles Defense Get Better?
On defense, they are completely overhauled. All new linebackers, a new safety, no Fletcher Cox, swapping in Bryce Huff for Haason Reddick, and a big youth movement at Cornerback.
Some of those changes are for the best, some they will miss, but at least on paper, they feel more talented than they were last year. That said, there are still major questions. They are relying on a lot of young and unproven players.
So what are the Eagles’ biggest strengths? What are their weaknesses? What groups will carry them, and what groups could drag them down? I went through all 11 position groups, QB, RB, WR, TE, OL, DT, Edge, LB, CB, S, and ST, and ranked them from worst, to best. Here is what I came up with.
Here are the Eagles’ 11 Position Groups Ranked From Worst To Best:
11) Edge Rusher
- Bryce Huff
- Josh Sweat
- Nolan Smith
- Brandon Graham
- Jalyx Hunt
- Patrick Johnson
This is without a doubt my biggest concern on the team. With no Haason Reddick, they do not have a single sure thing. Bryce Huff was great in a part-time role for the Jets. But how does he hold up over a full-time role? Will he wear down the way we saw Josh Swaet wear down last season? Will playing more often expose weaknesses in his game?
Also, is there enough depth behind him and Sweat to make sure those guys don’t get worn down? I have seen nothing out of Nolan Smith to believe he is ready to break out. He is an incredible athlete who has never converted that athleticism into on-field success. Jalyx Hunt is a nice prospect, and has shown more than Nolan Smith, but how big of a role is he ready for? Then you have a 36-year-old Brandon Graham and Patrick Johnson who is a special teams player.
They lack both depth and the sure things you want as the starters. I can’t confidently say any of these Edge Rushers finish with double-digit sacks. Putting a lot of pressure on the Tackles to get interior pressure.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – AUGUST 24: Nolan Smith Jr. #3 of the Philadelphia Eagles rushes the passer against N’Keal Harry #13 of the Minnesota Vikings in the first half of the preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field on August 24, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
10) Linebacker
- Devin White
- Zack Baun
- Nakobe Dean
- Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
- Ben VanSumeren
- Oren Burks
The Eagles kept only 3 Linebackers last year, this year they have 6. Oren Burks was added after James Bradberry went on the IR. It is better than last year. But that is not saying much. Whether or not they are good enough is another question. Devin White is at the very least much more athletic than any linebackers they had last year. But there is a reason he was available and cheap. Zack Baun has never played LB. We have never seen Nakobe Dean play well. Trotter Jr is a project, and VanSumeren is a Special Teams player.
Oren Burks interests me though. he was a solid linebacker for the 49ers last year, filling in for the injured Dre Greenlaw. Could he eventually work his way onto the field if the other guys struggle? Maybe. But I can’t say I am confident in this squad.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 05: Nakobe Dean #17 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts during the second quarter in the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field on November 05, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
9) Safety
- CJ Gardner Johnson
- Avonte Maddox
- Reed Blankenship
- Tristin McCollum
PUP- Sydney Brown
IR- James Bradberry
Safety was a huge problem for the Eagles last year. Reed Blankenship was not ready to be the main guy. Behind him, Kevin Byard was a huge disappointment, Sydney Brown could not get on the field, and there was not much else. Adding CJ Gardner Johnson will make a big difference, provided he stays healthy.
I am also excited about Avonte Maddox moving to Safety. He has struggled to stay healthy, but we forget how solid he was when healthy. I would start him at Safety next to CJGJ, but we will see what the Eagles do.
Sydney Brown is the wildcard. He will miss the 4 weeks but seems on track to be back for game 5. I loved him coming out of college, but his rookie year was shaky., We will see what he looks like in year 2.
Sydney Brown #21 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on against the Cleveland Browns during the preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field on August 17, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Browns tied the Eagles 18-18.
8) Tight End
- Dallas Goedert
- Grant Calcaterra
IR- Albert Okwuegbunam
I love Dallas Goedert. I think he is in for his best season yet, even with a lot of competition for targets. Kellen Moore will utilize TEs and the middle of the field way more than Nick Sirianni ever did.
But the depth is not there. We have never seen Grant Calcaterra do anything, and he had chances with Goedert missing time in each of the last 2 seasons. After him, Albert O is on the IR and has never done anything. Then they have a blocking specialist in Jack Stoll, and an interesting prospect in Ej Jenkins, both on the practice squad. But if Goedert gets hurt I would be incredibly concerned about what else they have at TE.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 01: Dallas Goedert #88 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates a first down reception during the third quarter against the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field on October 01, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
7) Cornerback
- Darius Slay
- Kelee Ringo
- Quinyon Mitchell
- Isaiah Rodgers
- Cooper DeJean
- Eli Ricks
Cornerback is probably their most improved position. Slay is still solid, and I am incredibly optimistic about Quinyon Mitchell. Throw in Cooper DeJean, Isaiah Rodgers, and Kelee Ringo, they have some solid depth too.
But there is a lot of ifs here. None of them besides Slay have proven anything at this level, and Slay is getting older. I think they are going to be very good, but I do need to see it first before I go ranking them higher.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 29: Darius Slay #2 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts prior to the NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field on January 29, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
6) Defensive Tackle
- Jalen Carter
- Jordan Davis
- Milton Williams
- Moro Ojomo
- Thomas Booker
- Bryon Young
The DT group, specifically Carter and Davis, could be the best in the league. Carter has a chance to be special, and I am much higher on Davis than most Eagles fans. If they can avoid that late-season swoon, they will be an elite duo. But we can’t just forget they both fell off a cliff after 11 games. Conditioning is an issue, and until we see them both stay good over a full season, we can’t crown them.
The depth is solid. I really like Milton Williams, Moro Ojomo is very promising, as is Thomas Booker. I don’t know much about Bryce Young, but it sounds like he is a solid rotation piece.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 05: Jalen Carter #98 of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up prior to a game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field on November 05, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
5) Quarterback
- Jalen Hurts
- Tanner McKee
- Kenny Pickett
Hurts is great. He had a slightly down year, but I think he bounces back big time this season. But after him… oof.
Kenny Pickett was terrible in the Preseason. Not just bad, awful. Pickett can’t move the ball down the field. That was the case in Pittsburgh, and it is the case now in Philly. They paid a decent price for him, but it looks like Howie might have been ripped off.
McKee is interesting, but we have only ever seen him do it against 3rd stringers. I can’t feel safe with him coming in either if Hurts misses time.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 26: Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts after scoring the game winning touchdown in overtime against the Buffalo Bills at Lincoln Financial Field on November 26, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
4) Offensive Line
- Lane Johnson
- Mekhi Becton
- Cam Jurgens
- Landon Dickerson
- Jordan Mailata
- Tyler Steen
- Fred Johnson
- Trevor Keegan
- Darian Kinnard
The Starting 5 is great. Lane is an elite RT, Mailata and Dickerson are rising stars, and Jurgens should at the very least be solid. Becton is the only question mark there, but there is good reason to be optimistic about his future at RG.
The depth is the issue. Steen lost a job people thought he was a shoo in for to a guy who has never played inside. The other 3 guys are unproven. Nick Gates is not listed here, and is expected to be activated from the practice squad for game day, giving them some extra depth inside. But they lack a true backup center, and lack depth overall. It is not a complete disaster, there is potential there, but for the 1st time in the while OL is a question mark.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 03: Lane Johnson #65 and Cam Jurgens #51 of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up prior to the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field on December 03, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
3) Running Back
- Saquon Barkley
- Kenny Gainwell
- Will Shipley
RB doesn’t just have an elite starter, Saquon Barkley, but it has great depth. people give Gainwell a hard time, but he is a fantastic backup. Andrew DiCecco has said on the station he is the best pass catching RB on the team. Now that they will implement their RBs more in the passing game, there should still be a good role for him, despite Saquon being the primary back.
Shipley is also very interesting. not sure how much we see him outside of Special teams, but he closes out what will be a great trio for the Eagles at RB.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – AUGUST 09: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up before the preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 09, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland.
2) Special Teams
- Jake Elliott
- Braden Mann
- Rick Lovato
Special Teams is secretly one of the strongest parts of this team. It was their best unit last year. Elliott is among the leagues best Kickers, Braden Mann stabilized punter for them, and the punt and kick coverage units were fantastic. This doesn’t even include Britain Covey who is one of the best return men in the league.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – AUGUST 24: Jake Elliott #4 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts after making a field goal during the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Lincoln Financial Field on August 24, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
1) Wide Reciever
- AJ Brown
- Devonta Smith
- Jahan Dotson
- Britain Covey
- Johnny Wilson
IR- Ainias Smith
The Eagles WR room is not just the best group on this team, it might be the best group in the NFL. The starting two guys are elite, and now they finally have the solid 3rd option to go along with them. Beyond those 3, don’t be surprised if you see Covey get implemented in interesting ways on offense this year too.
This is what Tim McManus said about the Eagles skill players.
“I would say that this current skill position group is probably the best ever assembled in Philadelphia’s history. When you consider Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, AJ Brown, and DeVonta Smith. Now they added Jahan Dotson to go with Dallas Goedert. I mean that’s as good as it’s ever gotten here.
He included the TEs and RBs in that conversation, but the WRs are the star attraction. With Kellen Moore now calling the shots, there is a chance both Smith and Brown look even better, as the team finds way to use them in space, as opposed to just hoping they beat their man like they did last season.
LANDOVER, MARYLAND – OCTOBER 29: DeVonta Smith #6 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates a touchdown with A.J. Brown #11 during the fourth quarter against the Washington Commanders at FedExField on October 29, 2023 in Landover, Maryland.
