Quiet Day

Posted: March 12th, 2019 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | Comments Off on Quiet Day

There were fireworks on Monday. Things quieted down on Tuesday, but there were still some notable moves.

First up…Jordan Hicks is headed to the desert.

No shocker here. LBs are getting big money. The Eagles knew someone was going to overpay for Hicks services.

Hicks was terrific in his first two seasons, especially as a playmaker.

7 INTs
1 FF
4 FRs
7 TFLs
14 PDs
2 sacks

In the last two years, the plays went away.

0 INTs
0 FFs
2 FRs
5 TFLs
5 PDs
3 sacks

Hicks is not a run-stuffer. He is not a tackling machine. He is an athletic LB who can cover. The Cardinals are hoping he can get back to being a playmaker. That’s why they are risking big money on a player who has only played in 43 of 64 possible career games.

I think the Eagles were smart to move on. The risk just wasn’t worth it.

Losing Hicks means the Eagles will likely get a fifth round comp pick in 2020 (based on his contract).

How do the Eagles replace him? Let’s start with the players already in place.

Paul Worrilow is back after missing all of 2018 with a torn ACL. He has started 52 games between 2013-2017. Worrilow can compete for a starting job, but he’s not a guy you just give the job to. Nate Gerry got some looks at MLB last year and showed potential. He’s another player who can compete for the job, but you don’t give it to him.

Nigel Bradham can slide inside in some sets. Still, you need someone who can be a full-time MLB if needed.

The Eagles could target someone in the draft. This isn’t a great LB class, but the Eagles could have a couple of prospects they think highly of.

There are pro players they could pursue.

I think Josh Bynes would make a lot of sense. He would be a cheap veteran, but can still play. Brandon Marshall is another veteran who could make some sense. There were reports that the Skins could be shopping Mason Foster and/or Zach Brown. Foster is more physical. Brown is the better athlete and more versatile player. The Skins could also cut one or both of the LBs. The Eagles might be smart to sit tight and just see what happens with them.

Brown would be a real interesting addition.

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Any other moves to be made?

Jones has played C and G. He has started 17 games in three years. Jones is a backup and spot-starter. He would come cheap.

Joe Douglas knows Gino Gradkowski from their time together with the Ravens. Gradkowski has started 20 games over the years and can play G or C.

Max Garcia has started 41 games and is only 27 years old. He would be an interesting possibility.

These are not exactly sexy names, but finding a good backup for G/C is important. Stefen Wisniewski turned out to be a key player in 2017.

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The Eagles could still make moves at QB, DE, RB and S.

The moves at QB and DE would be for veteran competition and would likely be low-level targets.

S is hard to get a feel for. If the Eagles move Avonte Maddox to S, they don’t need to sign anyone. Still, there are some good safeties on the market. The Eagles may see if anyone is available cheap.

RB is the spot where the Eagles could still make an aggressive move. Le’Veon Bell is still out there. That tells you he’s probably not getting the offers he was hoping for. I’m sure Howie Roseman is staying in touch with his agent to see if Bell is open to a short or cheaper deal. That seems very unlikely, but it can’t hurt to ask.

Veterans like Tevin Coleman, T.J. Yeldon and Spencer Ware are still available. Jordan Howard could be cut or traded. No word on his situation today.

One player who does fascinate me is Corey Grant of the Jaguars. He’s only 5-9, 201, but has legit 4.3 speed. He averages 5.6 yards per carry for his career. Grant is a guy with limited production, but good upside. It feels like the Jags have wasted his talent. Creative offensive coaches like the Eagles staff could have some real fun with a weapon like him.

That’s legit speed.

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