Offseason Overview

Posted: January 22nd, 2022 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | Comments Off on Offseason Overview

The 2021 season is in the books. It is time now to turn our attention to the offseason and how to improve this team. The Eagles showed real promise, but have plenty to do if they want to become a true Super Bowl contender.

PLAYERS

The biggest question is what to do at QB. We’ll be discussing this over the coming weeks/months so don’t expect a quick answer here. I’ve seen people framing statistical arguments that show Jalen Hurts is off to a better start than some star QBs. I’ve seen others showing that Hurts didn’t play well against good teams. As always, the truth is somewhere in the middle.

The 2021 version of Hurts wasn’t good enough to beat good teams and win in the postseason. The question becomes how Hurts will play in 2022 and 2023 and beyond. This was his first season as the starter. He’s not going to be a finished product. What is his ceiling?

The other thing to factor on in this discussion is that you don’t want to make a change for the heck of it. You only change to upgrade. The draft doesn’t have compelling QB prospects so that means you’re focused on trading for a veteran. Russell Wilson certainly makes some sense, but he seemed to take a beating in every game I watched. How much does he have left? What would the cost be?

The Eagles need to upgrade WR. Nick Sirianni said he likes DeVonta Smith, Quez Watkins and Jalen Reagor as the #1, 2 and 3 receivers, but that is not a good enough group. The Eagles need someone with a bit more size/physicality to add to the group.

There are reports that Brandon Brooks will retire. Jack Driscoll and Nate Herbig can replace him. The big question is if Jason Kelce returns. It feels like he will, but that is purely a guess.

There is a lot of work to be done to the defensive side of the ball.

With Derek Barnett likely gone in free agency and Brandon Graham being an older guy coming off a major injury, pass rusher is a big need. You could just bring back Ryan Kerrigan and hope that every blocker he goes against is dealing with a severe ankle injury, but that probably isn’t the way to go.

Linebacker is a need spot. The team saw good things from T.J. Edwards and Davion Taylor, but should try to bring in more talent. Alex Singleton is a good STer, but you don’t want him as a starter or primary backup. If the scheme stays the same, having a good SAM would help. Apologies to all the Genard Avery fans.

Safety might be the biggest need on the team. Anthony Harris and Rodney McLeod just didn’t make plays. The Eagles need to bring in a pair of safeties. The smart move would be to go for one in free agency and one in the draft. Marcus Epps showed he can be a good role player, but you don’t want to count on him as a starter.

Cornerback is tougher to figure out. Darius Slay had a terrific year on the outside and Andre Avonte Maddox was good in the slot. Is Zech McPhearson ready to be the other starter? The Eagles have a bunch of other young guys in the mix. They could still draft a corner knowing that Slay isn’t a long term answer.

COACHES

Nick Sirianni and his staff did a good job in their initial year running the Eagles. That said, there will likely be some changes. That always happens after the first year a staff is together. You find out who is a good fit and who isn’t.

Shane Steichen will be back as offensive coordinator. Jonathan Gannon might be leaving. He is reportedly the favorite in the Texans coaching search and also might be the favorite in the Broncos coaching search. Most Eagles fans would say good riddance.

How can a guy who ran a mediocre defense get a promotion? It feels like teams are trying to buy in early on him. Gannon is a good communicator, leader and relates to his players. Those are key qualities you want in a head coach. If you strictly focus on 2021 results, Gannon wouldn’t make any sense. History is filled with guys who had great resumes and failed so I don’t blame teams for thinking creatively. This just might be a case where they are out-smarting themselves.

I would like to see a new WRs coach. There were way too many penalties by the receivers this year. It was also incredibly frustrating to watch them catch short passes and head to the sideline repeatedly. That makes it easy on defenders. The sideline is a 12th defender. I don’t think Moorehead was awful, but I would like a better coach.

I have concerns about the DL. Players were wildly inconsistent. The DL looked dominant at times and disappeared at others. Barnett didn’t show any progress. Kerrigan had an awful year. Amazingly unproductive. Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave were up and down. The rookies flashed at times, but no one blew us away. Maybe this had to do with Gannon’s scheme. Players were being asked to do things they hadn’t done before. Or maybe Tracy Rocker wasn’t a good fit as the DL coach.

Eagles STs weren’t good this year. Rick Gosselin had them ranked 21st in the league. Michael Clay is very young so Sirianni might have expected some ups and downs. At the same time, Sirianni might think a change is needed. STs mistakes proved to be costly down the stretch. The group didn’t get better as the year went along. Talent is part of that, but coaching as well.

*****

DRAFT

https://twitter.com/RossTuckerNFL/status/1484144758201241604

In his recent mock, Brugler had the Eagles take:

15. Philadelphia Eagles (from Miami) — Tyler Linderbaum, OC, Iowa

Obviously, this selection is based on the future of Jason Kelce, who just earned his fourth All-Pro nod. Even if he returns for his age 35 season in 2022, Kelce would be the ideal mentor for Linderbaum, who has exceptional quickness and a nasty streak to dominate defenders.

16. Philadelphia Eagles (from Indianapolis) — Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson

With Steven Nelson headed for free agency, cornerback could be a need for the Eagles this offseason. Booth is a terrific athlete and can make plays on the ball — the two most important traits when scouting the position. Booth also has above-average downhill skills to drive and blow up plays near the line of scrimmage.

19. Philadelphia Eagles — George Karlaftis, edge, Purdue

The Eagles’ defensive end depth chart will likely look wildly different next season, and Karlaftis would be a welcomed addition. The Purdue pass rusher doesn’t have elite length or twitch, but he is relentless and strong with hand work that is not only violent but also well-timed and strategic to defeat blockers.

51. Philadelphia Eagles — Chad Muma, LB, Wyoming

I would be fine with a haul like that. Linderbaum is a great center prospect and it would be good to see an infusion of young talent for the defense.

Matt Alkire posted a mock on his site and went like this:

15 – Philadelphia – David Ojabo, EDGE Michigan

16 – Philadelphia – Devin Lloyd, ILB Utah

19 – Philadelphia – Kaiir Elam, CB Florida

51 – Philadelphia – Lewis Cine, DS Georgia

That would be a ton of help for the defense. Matt is trying to get the D fixed right away. Would the Eagles really consider an off-the-ball LB in the first round? If they did, it would be a guy who had 7 sacks and 4 INTs in the 2021 season. Lloyd is a big time playmaker.

I tend to think the Eagles will only use 2 of the picks and will trade the other. That would give them plenty of ammo for both years. Of course, that requires some team to want the pick. It would be fun to see the Eagles make all 3 picks in one draft.

Lots of draft talk to come in the coming months.

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COMMENTS

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