Ranking The Eagles 10 Best Offseason Moves (So Far)
Going into the offseason, the Eagles were projected to be around $12 million over the cap. After some impressive work by the front office, the Eagles opened up enough space to make a number of big moves, while also retaining some players of their own.
For most teams, the situation the Eagles faced would’ve forced a quiet offseason, while also losing virtually all of their players set to hit the open market. However, like we’ve seen in years past, Eagles executive vice president of football operations Howie Roseman was able to manipulate the cap, allowing the team not only to keep the majority of their own players set to hit free agency but also bring in numerous new faces.
While the Eagles did lose a few players to free agency, most notably Jordan Hicks and Nick Foles, they were able to fill every hole left, while also adding significant depth to other spots. Compensatory picks have also become a big talk surrounding how the Eagles maneuver in free agency and all but two of their signings (Andrew Sendejo and LJ Fort) will not affect the compensatory pick situation.
The Eagles front office clearly hard a purpose this offseason, with a clear goal set in mind of returning to, and hopefully winning, the Super Bowl.
Here is a ranking of the 10 best moves the Eagles made this offseason…
10. Signing DE Vinny Curry
The pass rush for the Eagles has always been a strength and something the defense prides themselves on and bringing back Vinny Curry, who was with the Eagles from 2012-2017, helps solidify that.
This move especially becomes beneficial considering both Michael Bennett (traded to the Patriots) and Chris Long (retired) won’t be back for 2019. Those two players combined for 15.5 sacks in 2018, which is obviously a large amount of production that will have to be made up for.
In his one season stop in Tampa Bay, Curry logged just 21 tackles and 2.5 sacks, which is a noticeable dip from his 42 tackles and 3.0 sacks in 2017. Despite his drop in production, Curry should still be a reliable option on the edge for the Eagles.
With Fletcher Cox and one of Malik Jackson or Timmy Jernigan next to him on the defensive line, Curry should be able to have his chances at disrupting the pocket, and also bringing down running backs.
9. Retaining DT Timmy Jernigan
Timmy Jernigan had a brutal 2018 season. Jernigan missed the majority of the season due to a herniated disk suffered during an unapproved workout in the offseason and had just five tackles and 1.0 sacks in five games played.
Despite the displeasure shown by the Eagles surrounding how Jernigan got injured and his lack of production, there is no love lost between the two sides. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz applauded Jernigan for the impact he has on others and the energy he brings.
“He means something to our spirit. He’s a guy that has a little bit of contagious energy,” Schwartz said. “He brings confidence, a toughness.”
Now, entering the 2019 season completely healthy, Jernigan is set to be able to bring that same confidence and energy, while also being able to truly make an impact on the field.
Jernigan is not guaranteed to start in 2019, but considering how the Eagles rotate their defensive lineman, he will be given every opportunity to wreck havoc on opposing offensive lines.
8. Retaining CB Ronald Darby
All offseason long, NFL analysts (not Eagles-specific analysts) tried reinforcing how much of a need cornerback was for the Eagles. Though it never truly was a need, being able to retain Ronald Darby still stabilizes the position a bit for the Eagles.
Darby missed a large portion of the season for the second year in a row after suffering a season-ending torn ACL in week 9. In 2017, Darby suffered a dislocated ankle, which forced him to miss eight games.
Despite his injury struggles, Darby is still the closest thing the Eagles had to a true lockdown CB due to his ball-hawking skillset. With a few cornerbacks going off the board early on in free agency, the Eagles were able to wait out Darby’s market and bring him back on a one-year “prove it” deal.
In his two seasons with the Eagles, Darby had four interceptions, 21 passes deflected, and 77 tackles.
Without Darby, the Eagles were able to develop a few of their younger CBs, including Avonte Maddox, Rasul Douglas, and Cre’Von LeBlanc.
Darby isn’t a guarantee to be ready for one week with him still recovering from the knee injury, while is something to keep an eye out for. Health issues and current depth at the position prevented Darby from being higher on this list, but the Eagles being able to retain him is still a notable move.
7. Signing LB Zach Brown
The loss of Jordan Hicks was one of the more notable ones for the Eagles this offseason, but they were able to fill that hole with Brown, who is arguably as talented as Hicks.
In his four years in Philadelphia, Hicks missed 21 regular season games due to injury, which made him too unreliable for the teams liking to retain him. Instead, they’re rolling with Brown, who’s missed just three games in the same span.
Over the past three seasons, Brown has the second-most tackles in the NFL (372), behind just Bobby Wagner.
For most teams, signing a player of Brown’s caliber would rank near the top of the list in terms of best moves, but the Eagles have an unusual way of using linebackers. The Eagles typically use just two linebackers on defense, and that room is crowded with Nigel Bradham, Kamu Grungier-Hill, Nate Gerry, Malcolm Jenkins (who plays more snaps at LB than safety), and now Brown, among other players.
Regardless, Brown is still a big-time acquisition for the Eagles, with middle linebacker no longer being a worry for the team.
6. Signing DT/DE Malik Jackson
The Eagles opened up free agency by signing Malik Jackson, who will bring some serious playmaking ability in the pass rush. Jackson was signed to a six-year deal worth $85.5 million with the Jaguars, but was cut by the team three years into the new contract.
Jackson was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2017 after logging 40 tackles and 9.0 sacks. In 2018, Jackson had 32 tackles and 3.5 sacks, and eventually got benched due to his ineffectiveness in the run game.
Jackson’s pass rushing ability will be welcomed on the Eagles defensive line. In the teams loss to the Saints in the divisional round, one of the key downfalls was the defensive lines inability to get pressure on Drew Brees down the stretch.
Fletcher Cox will face frequent double teams by opposing offensive lines, which should open the opportunity for Jackson to win one-on-one opportunities to get to the quarterback. Jackson is also motivated to prove everyone he is capable against the run, which means the Eagles could be getting a new, and better, version of Jackson in 2019.
5. Trading for RB Jordan Howard
Jordan Howard had been linked to the Eagles as a potential trade target throughout the 2018 season, and they finally were able to bring in the running back this offseason via trade.
The 2018 season was a disaster for the Eagles in terms of the running back position, with the team losing Jay Ajayi, Darren Sproles and Corey Clement for the majority of the season. After bringing in Howard, the Eagles seem to have finally gotten the power back they were missing last season.
Since entering the NFL in 2016, Howard is averaging 1,123 rushing yards per season, and has 24 total rushing touchdowns.
At 6’0 and 224 pounds, Howard will bring a similar type of power back ability that the Eagles had in 2017 with LeGarrette Blount, who was vital in the teams Super Bowl run.
4. Trading for WR DeSean Jackson
The Eagles needed a deep threat at wide receiver, and they got one of the best of them all in DeSean Jackson, who was with the team from 2008-2013 before getting released.
Jackson will be a direct solution to the Eagles’ deep threat woes. Jackson averaged 18.9 yards per reception in 2018, which was the most in the NFL.
Over the past two seasons, the Eagles experimented with vertical threats by bringing in Torrey Smith and Mike Wallace. Smith did help in the Super Bowl run in 2017, but neither Smith or Wallace (who suffered a season-ending injury in week 2) offered consistency as Carson Wentz’s deep target.
With Jackson, Wentz will, by far, have his most explosive target. At 32 years old, some have speculated whether Jackson is as explosive as he once was, but his play last year made it clear he still has it; he just needs a better quarterback to consistently get him the ball. Wentz is that guy, and the duo are set to have a big season together in 2019.
3. Drafting RB Miles Sanders
The Eagles drafting Miles Sanders is not only a move that will have positive ramifications for the 2019 season, but for years to come.
Howard is presumed to be the lead back for the Eagles, but Sanders seems destined to be the running back of the future, while also having the opportunity to contribute in his rookie season.
In 2018, Sanders was voted second-team All-Big 10 while at Penn State, with him rushing for 1,274 yards and nine touchdowns.
With a 40-yard dash of 4.49 seconds, Sanders has the speed to break off a big play every time he touches the ball, which was something the Eagles had missed in last seasons rushing attack.
Sanders still has to prove himself a bit in the passing game, but he says he is capable of being effective in that facet of the game.
The Eagles have their running back of the future, and that is why Sanders is ranking third on this list.
2. Drafting LT Andre Dillard
Speaking of the future, the Eagles solidified the second-most important spot on the football field by drafting left tackle Andre Dillard.
Dillard is unlikely to start in 2019 with Jason Peters returning, but there is a chance he still gets time considering some of the issues Peters has had the last few seasons with staying healthy.
Whether Dillard gets significant playing time or not next season, being able to get the guy who will be protecting Wentz’s blindside for years to come is a significant move. At 6’4 and 315 pounds, Dillard has the size to both be a rock in pass protection, and the agility to be athletic in run blocking.
Dillard was selected to first-team All-Pac 12 at Washington State in 2018, and he also was selected to third-team All-American.
Dillard will also be able to learn from Peters as well, which can only bode well for the outlook of both Dillard and the Eagles. This offseason was all about helping Wentz and drafting Dillard headlines that.
1. Retaining DE Brandon Graham
It seemed all momentum leaned towards Brandon Graham leaving the Eagles, but the two sides were able to strike a deal to keep the Super Bowl LII hero in Philadelphia for the next three seasons.
As mentioned before, the effectiveness of the defensive end position is vital for the success of the Eagles defense, and being able to retain their best DE in Graham is huge. Graham is most known for his clutch strip-sack of Tom Brady in Super Bowl LII, but his production over the last few seasons has been a key part of allowing the team to be in winning situations.
Over the last four seasons, Graham is averaging 49 tackles and 6.375 sacks per year. Graham’s career got off to a rough start, but he’s transformed into one of the teams most trustworthy defenders.
Being able to retain Graham is especially key when noting the loss of Bennett and Long. With Derek Barnett returning from injury, Graham joins him in being the only sure thing at the position. Granted, if Graham left to go elsewhere, Long possibly doesn’t retire, but being able to keep Graham was just too good for the Eagles to pass up on.
All 10 of these moves will prove to be vital when looking back on the 2019 Eagles season, regardless of how it finishes. However, these moves will put the Eagles in a great position to succeed, with the ultimate goal of winning a second Super Bowl.
Featured Images: Matt Lombardo/NJ.com, Abby Drey/Centre Daily Times, Christopher Hanewinckel/USA Today Sports
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