After the bulk of the Eagles off-season moves, including Free Agency and the draft, the mood around Philly was definitely higher. Did we envision the Eagles would win 17 of 20 games and make it to the Super Bowl? Maybe not, but it was clear they improved. It would have been hard to not improve from where they were starting, especially for the defense that was one of the worst in the league.
But even the most optimistic of Eagles fans could not see how well so many of those moves have gone. Howie Roseman went up to the plate and hit Home Run after Home Run. Transforming a roster that at the end of last year was incredibly flawed, into probably the best team in the entire league. From a team that lost 6 of their last 7 games, to now a team that has won 15 of their last 16. And they are now 1 win away from a parade down Broad Street.
But before we look ahead to that game, and start breaking it down, let’s look back on just how good of a job Howie Roseman did reshaping this roster.
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What moves worked? What moves failed? Which moves flew under the radar when they first happened? And which moves did we give too much credit when it happened? We went back through every single move the Eagles made, and with the benefit of great hindsight, re-evaluated what Howie did.
Because as great as this season has been, there are some moves that failed. But there are also some moves that at the time we thought meant nothing, that have been game-changers for the Eagles. It was a very busy off-season for the Birds and Howie Roseman, and clearly it went well given where they ended up.
Here Is A Re-Evaluation Of Every Eagles Off-Season Move:
Avonte Maddox
Before the draft, meaning before the Eagles landed two rookie corners, the Eagles had a major depth issue at Corner. They were the worst secondary in the league last season. Darius Slay was still here, which helped, but everything else was a question mark. So at the time, it made sense to bring back Maddox, who despite multiple injuries, had been more than solid for them as the Slot Corner over the past several seasons.
But based on the first 4 games where he served as the primary Slot Corner, the injuries had clearly caught up to him. He could not move the way he used to, and teams picked on him constantly. Cooper DeJean replaced him. After playing over 200 snaps in the first 4 weeks, he played just 80 over the next 12 games, before playing a ton vs the Giants in a game where the starters didn’t play.
It was a fine move at the time, but it wound up not working. He is only useful as a depth player, but even then, you would be incredibly nervous if he had to go onto the field vs the Chiefs.
Re-Grade- D
Bryce Huff
The first and maybe only true disaster of the off-season. Bryce Huff was their big addition alongside Saquon Barkley. He was intended to replace Haason Reddick (who we will get to later. Turns out he has barely started. Much like Devon White, Huff never entered the good graces of Vic Fangio.
He lost snaps every week as he struggled to make an impact. He eventually got hurt and missed significant time. But he had already lost most of his snaps and has not gotten them back since returning. He was incredibly effective in limited snaps last year with the Jets. But he has given the Eagles barely any production. Not even as a pass rusher. He got 3 years and $51 million and has given the Eagles 5 tackles and 2.5 sacks for all that money.
The emergence of Nolan Smith has softened that blow. But Huffs’ struggle has left them with very little depth on the Edge. It has gotten to the point where a $17 million player only got on the field in a playoff game because the Eagles were up 30 points.
Re-Grade- F
