Let the Kids Play: 4 Younger Eagles Players Who Need More Snaps
This Eagles season is a dumpster fire.
Even with the pathetic NFC East, the Eagles are on the outside looking into the playoffs and this team has shown no hope of any run.
From top to bottom this organization is a mess, and I think it is safe to say this season is a wrap. It is time to start looking forward to next season and beyond.
Here are four younger players that need more playing time the rest of the way.
1) K’Von Wallace // Safety
The Eagles drafted Wallace in the fourth round of this past April’s draft and many thought he had the chance to end up being the teams starting safety at some point this season. With the good play of Rodney McLeod and the decent play of Jalen Mills along with Will Parks, Wallace hasn’t seen much of the field besides special teams this season.
Following the Eagles release of Will Parks Tuesday afternoon, Wallace is bound to see more playing time. Wallace was best known for his versatility at Clemson and being versatile in Jim Schwartz scheme will get you on the field. Wallace can be a great sub-package defender for the Eagles. The Eagles love running three safety sets so hopefully, we get to see more of Wallace for the remainder of the season.
2) Jack Driscoll // Offensive Line
Another Eagles fourth-round pick, Driscoll was thrown into the fire in his first NFL game. No OTAs, no training camp, no preseason games, and Driscoll was forced to start week one against one of the best defensive lines in football. Now obviously he was not perfect, but he showed you that he has the potential to be a capable starting tackle or guard. Driscoll has the versatility to play either guard or tackle spot and was even reported that he got reps at the center position during the pre-draft process.
One of Driscoll’s flaws is his strength, which has been seen in limited snaps this season, but he is a great athlete for a big man. There was speculation that Driscoll could end up being the Eagles’ future at center after Kelce retires, and being versatile is a great trait to have to play center.
Driscoll will get the start at RT again Sunday so we will get another good look at the Auburn product.
3) Davion Taylor // Linebacker
The Eagles have not got the best play from the linebacker position this season. Alex Singleton and TJ Edwards have emerged and actually have played very well this season, but they do not have the same athleticism as Davion Taylor. Davion Taylor was drafted as a project player.
Taylor has a lot to learn and has a lot of inexperience, but man he is an athletic freak. Davion ran a 4.49 40 during the combine, which was third best. Off-topic, but Eagles sixth-round pick Shaun Bradley was right behind Taylor at 4.51. Taylor has the speed and athleticism that can’t be taught but he is extremely raw.
There is no better way of learning than actual game experience, and at this point, there is nothing to lose.
The Eagles need to figure out if Davion can play and contribute going forward, so he should get an increase in snaps for the remainder of the season.
4) Travis Fulgham // Wide Reciever
Photo: David Richard/AP Photo
I can’t believe I have to put his name here, but this is what poor coaching does. Travis Fulgham was the NFL’s leading receiver for a four-week stretch and has now been basically thrown out of the gameplan. On Monday night against the Seahawks Fulgham played 52% of the snaps while Alshon Jeffery played 48%. Excuse me? You are facing the worst secondary in the NFL and you have Fulgham and Jeffrey playing virtually the same amount of snaps? Let’s go through the four-week stretch.
In week five, Fulgham goes for 152 yards on 10 catches and a TD against the Steelers. In week six, Fulgham goes for 75 yards on 6 catches and adds another TD against the Ravens. In week 7, Fulgham totaled 73 yards on five catches. In week eight, Fulgham goes for 78 yards on six catches and adds another TD.
Now I would say that is pretty impressive, but since then he has totaled 32 yards in three games combined. How do you just phase out one of your lone bright spots this season for an aging Alshon Jeffery? There are no reasons for Fulgham not playing at least 80% of the snaps.
He was gaining great chemistry with Carson and you just completely phase him out, unacceptable. He needs to be on the field a lot more the rest of the season.
The one thing I am looking forward to the rest of this nightmare season is hopefully the increase in playing time for our younger players. A lot of the guys playing now won’t be here next year, so it is time to see what you have going forward.
An actual game experience is the best way to teach these young guys. Give them real live reps so you know what to work on with. We know what we have with Jason Peters, Nate Gerry, Alshon Jeffery, and all these other old guys.
It is time to let the kids play.
A new fresh wave of young talent could also give this team some new life (don’t get your hopes up).
Featured Image: David Richard/AP Photo
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