Unlikely, Unexpected, Underdogs. The 2017 Philadelphia Eagles: The Offseason State of the Roster

Boo’s rang out at the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum. “Okay, with the 14th pick of the 2017 NFL Draft… Time stood still. Philadelphia Eagles fans anticipated Roger Goodell’s next words: “the Philadelphia Eagles select Derek Barnett, defensive end, Tennessee.”

Cheers rang out welcoming Derek to the city that saw another defensive end from his alma mater, Reggie White, embarrass offensive tackles for seven seasons in an Eagles uniform. April 27th, 2018 surely would be a special day for Derek Barnett.

Ten months later, Philadelphia and its relatively new adopted son, Derek, was on the brink of playing in Super Bowl LII, which was an unexpected outcome to the quite eventful 2017-18 NFL season. Stalwart running back Darren Sproles was the first star player to drop due to injury, followed by linebacker Jordan Hicks, offensive tackle Jason Peters, and then quarterback Carson Wentz. Yet, despite these setbacks, the Eagles still made it to the Super bowl?! The 2017-18 season for the Philadelphia Eagles, regardless of the outcome of Super Bowl LII, will live on for generations in Eagles fan lore. As the season wore on, question marks on the roster dissipated, but new ones appeared in other areas. What do the Eagles need in the coming 2018 NFL Draft? The 2017 offseason saw the Philadelphia Eagles build a championship caliber NFL team, but will the 2018 offseason see the Eagles become the next great NFL dynasty? Only time will tell, but Eagles general manager Howie Roseman will be the man to have the most say in the matter. The 2018 NFL free agency period, along with the more important NFL Draft on April 26-28, 2018, may quite well be the deciding factors. So, which areas need to be addressed by the Philadelphia Eagles in the coming offseason?

Offense

Quarterback: No. If anything, the Eagles may have trade bait after backup quarterback Nick Foles helped propel the Eagles to the Super Bowl. They likely will not trade Foles nor will they address the position this offseason with both star quarterback Carson Wentz and well liked Nick Sudfeld on the roster.

Running back: No. What once looked like a position of need has since been addressed by the trade for Jay Ajayi and the emergence of undrafted rookie Corey Clement. Don’t expect the Eagles to re-sign Legarrette Blount, but it would not be totally surprising for the Eagles to bring in a few running backs in both free agency and the 2018 NFL draft to help make the running backs group more competitive and productive in the coming 2018-19 NFL season.

Wide Receiver: Yes. One of the quiet coups of the 2017 NFL free agency period was the Eagles’ snagging of Alshon Jeffery on a one year deal. He’s signed an extension after only a matter of months after having stepped in and become the best receiver in an Eagles uniform ever since the departures of Jeremy Maclin and DeSean Jackson. Nelson Agholor has become one of the most electrifying receivers in the league as well. Also, remember Mack Hollins and Shelton Gibson? The Eagles have talented depth, but the hit-or-miss (well, mostly miss) Torrey Smith will probably be gone before the 2018 season begins. The Eagles have no #2 receiver, and they desperately need another explosive threat that can play opposite of Jeffery. Expect moves at the receiver position.

Tight End: Possibly. Zach Ertz is one of the best in the league, Brent Celek may have played his final NFL game, and Trey Burton is a very poor man’s Zach Ertz that is not the blocker that Celek is. Oh, and Burton’s a free agent. The Eagles would be well advised to bring in an tight end that can block, but whether they decide to keep Trey Burton is anybody’s guess. I expect a few players to be brought in at the least to bring some diversity to the play of the position.

Offensive Tackle: Yes. Left tackle Jason Peters is entering the last years of his illustrious career and right tackle Lane Johnson may be just entering the prime of his. Big Halapoulivaati Vaitai may be heir apparent to Peters, but the jury’s still out on him after good and not so good times filling in for Peters. Regardless, the Eagles will more than likely bring in a veteran and a rookie or two.

Offensive Guard: Yes. Brandon Brooks was steady next to Lane Johnson at right guard. Stefen Wisniewski stepped in and stabilized the left guard position after both Chance Warmack and Isaac Seumalo failed to hold it down. The Eagles would be wise to bring in some legitimate contenders to continue to build one of the most promisingly steady offensive lines.

Center: No. Jason Kelce is at his strongest with an offensive guard’s help. He’s quick, agile and very intelligent and has been one of the most underrated centers in the league. Also, Stefen Wisniewski is technically his backup, so the Eagles should think to build on the offensive guard position to ensure Kelce's continued great play, rather than address the center position.

Defense

Defensive Tackle: No. The Eagles may have the best 4-3 defensive front in the entire league. Fletcher Cox is arguably the best defensive tackle out there, and Tim Jernigan is an excellent cohort to play next to him. Beau Allen is a contributor too, but he’s also a free agent. I’d expect him to test free agency if he wants a raise, which leaves the Eagles with a need to provide the position with some depth if

that were to happen.

Defensive End: No. Brandon Graham has been excellent as always. Vinny Curry, on the other hand, has not been anything better than solid after disappearing in many games. Derek Barnett has picked up the game very quickly, having accelerated his adaptation of NFL-quality techniques necessary to be a starter. Meanwhile, Chris Long has been of help to the consistent play of the defensive line too. The Eagles have much more pressing needs at hand.

Outside Linebacker: Possibly. Mychal Kendricks has been a man possessed ever since Jordan Hick’s injury led to Kendricks' increased playing time. His opposite, Nigel Bradham, is a free agent and had excellent games along with very average games. The Eagles may desire an upgrade this offseason, but only time will tell.

Middle Linebacker: Possibly. Jordan Hicks is a great player…if he stays healthy. Generally speaking, he does. However, he’s had a few injuries now and it’s becoming a concern. Joe Walker struggled mightily when given the time, while Najee Goode is, truly, more of a special teamer; also, Najee's a free agent. Lastly, the true backup to the starting MLB, Darnelle Ellerbe, has been more injury prone than the player that he backs up. Jordan is young, so potential oozes out of him, but so do the concerns about his health. The Eagles should pick up a player that is a viable backup in the least.

Cornerback: Possibly. The Eagles have A TON of talent at the position- most of it is still up-and-coming as the median age of the position (Including 30 year old Patrick Robinson) is 24 years old. Ronald Darby and Jalen Mills should only get better, while Sidney Jones has the potential to be better than both of them. Patrick Robinson should have earned a contract to extend his stay with the Eagles, and I truly do not expect him to become a free agent this offseason. Oh, and then there’s Rasul Douglas; I still say that he’s every tool necessary to become Malcolm Jenkins’ successor as a safety at some point. Perhaps, the Eagles may feel the same? He did not have much time on the field towards the end of the season and throughout the playoffs. The Eagles need more sub-package contributors to free up Malcolm Jenkins to play his position, so expect a handful of moves.

Safety: No. I don’t care what analysts would say- Malcolm Jenkins and Rodney McLeod are one of the most underrated safety tandems in the league. Corey Graham has also been a great pickup, playing many minutes as the season wore on. The Eagles need to invigorate the position, for sure, but no wholesale moves will be expected.

Special Teams

Kicker: No. Caleb Sturgis has come and will go. Doug Peterson has already said so. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Eagles would bring him back, at least, until cuts begin in the 2018 preseason. Jake Elliot is a great kicker, well, if he can become it. He can make some of the most difficult long distance shots, but can’t hit short 25 yard “dinks” through the uprights consistently. It’s encouraging that he can refine that in the offseason at least. I believe that we do, in fact, have our next David Akers in Jake. Remember, David Akers was cut and signed by three teams before he finally stuck in Philly. Sometimes, a kicker just needs time to get used to the NFL.

Punter: Yes. Now in his late 30’s and in the final years of his career, I think that Donnie Jones is starting to lose his leg strength. As per usual, expect a player or two to be brought in for competition. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Eagles really went after someone to potentially replace Jones.

We’re still months away from the 2018 NFL Draft, but Philadelphia Eagles fans will be anticipating changes in the roster as soon as the Super Bowl ends. Rest assured, Howie Roseman has been preparing for the 2018 NFL offseason ever since the 2017 offseason ended. As the Eagles look to retain its staff and coaches to keep the momentum in the team going, Eagles fans will gradually get a better picture of the direction of the roster in the coming season and the long term future of the team. That all will culminate at the 2018 NFL Draft. Who is drafted remains to be seen. But, for sure, we know that if those draftees embody the hardworking blue-collar mentality as Derek Barnett did, they’ll quickly become adored by Philadelphia Eagles fans.

Photos taken from Philadelphia Eagles.

"Inside the Draft Room" video taken from Philadelphia Eagles YouTube.