A Look at the Eagles DE Situation After Chris Long’s Retirement
After much anticipation, the Eagles learned that Chris Long is retiring and won’t be returning for the 2019 season. Now, the Eagles will begin life at the defensive end position without Long, who helped bring the teams first ever Lombardi trophy back to Philadelphia.
In 2018, Long played just 59% of defensive snaps, but was still very productive. Despite not starting a single game, Long finished with 6.5 sacks and was fourth on the Eagles defense in combined quarterback pressures. Long’s play was far from his reasoning behind the decision to retire, but instead, it was likely the amount of playing time available in the upcoming season.
No matter what Long’s reasoning for retiring was, the Eagles will still have to fill that missing production somehow. The team can either try to fill the void internally, or they can try scanning the open market in either trade or free agency for a replacement.
Here’s a look at how the Eagles’ defensive end position stands as of now…
Projected Starters
Brandon Graham and Derek Barnett
The starting rotation at defensive end has never been an issue this offseason for the Eagles after they re-signed Brandon Graham to a three-year deal. As mentioned before, Long didn’t start a single game in 2018. Instead, the loss of Michael Bennett, who was traded to the Patriots and filled in for Derek Barnett after he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury, is the more impactful departure here.
Barnett’s health and production will likely most reflect just how potent (or impotent) the defensive end position for the Eagles is in 2019. In 2017, Barnett played as more of a depth piece in what was his rookie season, and he had a decent impact, making 21 tackles and adding 5.0 sacks. In 2018, Barnett started alongside Graham, making 16 tackles and 2.5 sacks before being lost for the season after just six games.
Barnett has showed flashes of greatness, but he has to be able to continue that play for an entire season, while also being able to withstand the wear-and-tear of being a starter for all 16 games (and the playoffs, should the Eagles make it). If Barnett isn’t able to build on his production or if he isn’t able to stay healthy, the Eagles could be in some trouble opposite of Graham.
With Graham, the Eagles will continue to get what they’ve gotten over the past few seasons: consistent play with the ability to make something happen at any moment. Being able to retain Graham may have been the most important move for the Eagles of the entire offseason and solidifies what was already one of the NFL’s most prolific pass rushes.
It’s also worth noting that thanks to the Eagles bringing in Malik Jackson, along with retaining Tim Jernigan, Graham won’t have to slide inside on the defensive line as much as he used to, which means there will be even fewer snaps needed on the edge than before.
Depth
Vinny Curry, Shareef Miller, Josh Sweat, Daeshon Hall, Joe Ostman
This group is clearly not as proven as Long and Bennett were for 2018. However, it’s hard to complain when the backup defensive end spot is possibly the most vulnerable on the team.
Vinny Curry is back on the team after one season in Tampa, and that addition alone helps bring some veteran stability to the depth behind Graham and Barnett. After posting a career-high in tackles in 2017 with 42, Curry’s numbers in that department were cut in half in 2018, totaling just 21 tackles in his lone season with the Buccaneers. Now back in Philadelphia, Curry likely won’t match his 42 tackles that he had in the teams Super Bowl season since his role will be reduced, but his veteran leadership along with his capable play; will provide a solid boost.
Now, there is a group of young players in Shareef Miller, Josh Sweat, Daeshon Hall, and Joe Ostman. None of these names are proven, but the battle that will ensue with these four for the DE4 spot will force the best to be brought out.
The Eagles used a fourth-round pick on Miller, rather than selecting a player at a different spot that’s needed, which shows the confidence the team has in him. At Penn State in 2018, Miller had 41 tackles, 15.0 tackles for a loss and 7.5 sacks. Obviously, there will be a learning curve going from the collegiate level to the NFL, but Miller showed some promise at Penn State and has the inside track towards winning one of the backup spots at defensive end.
Similarly, for Sweat, the Eagles selected him in the fourth round of the draft back in 2018. Sweat’s skillset warranted a higher draft rating than where he ended up, but his injury history caused him to fall in the draft. At Florida State in 2017, Sweat had 56 tackles, including 12.5 tackles for a loss and 5.5 sacks. In his rookie season, Sweat logged just one tackle, though, and never developed much of a role with the team. However, Sweat’s potential has drawn some rave reviews within the organization, and he will be given every opportunity to win snaps as we progress towards the season.
Presumably behind Miller and Sweat in this race is Hall and Ostman. If one of these two were to earn a key role at defensive end next season for the Eagles, though, it would be Ostman.
Ever since the 2018 season ended, it’s been apparent the respect Ostman has earned within the organization. Ostman’s name first popped up when he was given credit for playing as opposing teams’ top pass rusher in practices before some of the biggest games of the season for the Eagles, including the two playoff games against the Bears and Saints. Not only did he line up as a Khalil Mack or Cameron Jordan against the Eagles offensive line, he reportedly gave his opponents a run for their money as well.
Coming into 2019, Ostman will quickly win over the coaching staff if he can translate his game from a practice squad star to an effective player on a 53-man roster.
Potentially Available Options on the Market
Jerry Hughes (via trade), Connor Barwin
The one thing the Eagles lack in terms of depth is multiple players with a veteran presence. If the Eagles choose to bring in a veteran pass rusher, the players listed above are a few solid options.
Jerry Hughes, who was mentioned back in February as a potential trade target, is still an option. Due to a cap hit of $6.35 million for 2019, Hughes, who is 30 years old, has been seen as a potential trade chip for a Bills team that is looking to get younger. If the Bills are legitimately interested in trading him, the Eagles would be wise to look into a potential move, especially when considering they still have $28 million in cap space after Long’s retirement.
In 2018, Hughes had 37 tackles, including 13 tackles for a loss and seven sacks. Hughes also had 18 quarterback hits, three forced fumbles, and one pass deflection. According to PFF, Hughes ranked as the seventh-best defensive end this past season and was the most productive pass rusher in the league. Hughes isn’t a Bennett or Long, but he would bring a veteran presence along with a capability of giving opposing offensive lines trouble. It depends on what the potential asking price would be for the Bills, but this is certainly an option the Eagles should look into if they don’t feel comfortable with their current defensive end situation.
Speaking of veteran leadership, there is always the option of bringing back a former Eagle in Connor Barwin, who was with the team from 2013 to 2016. Rather than bringing in somebody who would be a lock to make the roster, Barwin would be the type of an addition to act as a mentor for some of the younger players at the position, while also competing himself for a roster spot.
Barwin’s best days of football are well behind him (especially considering he had a 14.5 sack season in 2014), but that doesn’t mean he isn’t worth a look. Back in 2017, Barwin had 34 tackles with the Rams and 5.0 sacks, which is solid production for a backup. Barwin also has the versatility of playing defensive end and outside linebacker, though the issue at hand here is just defensive end. The addition of Barwin wouldn’t be ground shaking, but we have seen the Eagles bring back some of their former players, and Barwin would provide the veteran leadership that has suddenly left the defensive end room.
All in all, though, the situation at defensive end for the Eagles is nothing to be concerned about. The Eagles had an embarrassment of riches in 2018 with Graham, Barnett, Bennett, and Long at the position, which is almost impossible to duplicate every season considering the salary cap. There is the issue of players staying healthy, but that isn’t a unique issue.
They could face some growing pains due to some of the younger talent at the position, but the Eagles still have a nice foundation at defensive end that should draw excitement as the 2019 season slowly approaches.
Photo: USA Today Images
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