Understanding the DL

Posted: April 4th, 2023 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | Comments Off on Understanding the DL

The Eagles had a great DL last year. They really came alive in the middle of the year with this group.

DE – Josh Sweat
DL – Javon Hargrave
NT – Linval Joseph
DL – Fletcher Cox
Sam – Haason Reddick

That group and their backups were able to terrorize QBs. They led the league with 70 sacks and got pressure on a regular basis. They were the foundation to a defense that was dominant at times.

Run defense was an issue. The first loss of the year came when Washington ran on them. Houston had some success. Dallas ran effectively in their win. The Saints did the same thing a week later.

The Super Bowl was the low point. KC ran for 158 yards. Watch this.

My apologies for posting that, but it was necessary. Hargrave gets blocked easily on two of the runs. Milton Williams can’t shed a block on the TD run. The Eagles couldn’t stop the run and it cost them dearly. I wonder if the biggest takeaway from that game is the need for another DL who can 2-gap and play the run.

We know there will be changes on the DL this year.

DE – Josh Sweat
DL – Milton Williams (projected starter)
NT – Jordan Davis
DL – Fletcher Cox
Sam – Haason Reddick

Williams is a playmaker against the run, but he’s not a 2-gapper.

The Eagles need depth as well. In my recent mock draft, I had them take DT Mazi Smith at pick 30. One person questioned why I did that. The Eagles have Jordan Davis as the run-stuffer to control the middle. Shouldn’t they focus on pass rushers around him?

Very good question. We don’t know anything for sure because they haven’t made any significant moves up front and Sean Desai hasn’t coached a game yet. Heck, he hasn’t even had a press conference.

I do know the Eagles have shown interest in DTs who are 2-gap run defenders. Just look at these visits to Philly:

  • DT Gervon Dexter – Florida – 6-6, 310
  • DT Jaquelin Roy – LSU – 6-3, 305
  • DT Rodric Martin – Western Ky – 6-5, 330
  • DT Jalen Carter – Georgia – 6-3, 314

They also brought in Bryan Bresee, who is more of an athletic DT. He’s 6-6, 298. He’s got the potential to be good at 2-gapping, but he won at Clemson with athleticism more than anything. I think his visit had a lot to do with trying to understand if he’s worth taking in the first round. He was an underachiever at Clemson, but there were some issues that affected his performance. And there is no denying his talent.

The Eagles have brought in some pass rushers.

  • DE/LB Nolan Smith – Georgia – 6-2, 238
  • DL Lukas Van Ness – Iowa – 6-5, 272

The Eagles have also shown interest in pass rushers.

  • DL Viliami Fehoko – San Jose State – 6-3, 282
  • DE/LB Jose Ramirez – Eastern Michigan – 6-2, 242

Pass rushers will always be featured in the Eagles defense. There are returning players who accounted for 53 sacks from last year so the cupboard is hardly bare. That total would have been 4th in the NFL last year. The Eagles will certainly try to add DL who can get after the QB, but don’t be surprised if they also go after a DT who plays good run defense. And that could be an early pick.

  • Carter – 1st round
  • Dexter – 2nd round
  • Roy – 3rd round
  • Martin – mid-to-late rounds

In the Jim Schwartz days, you knew the Eagles were looking for quick, athletic DL who could fly up the field. It was black and white. Life was so easy back then…

In the new scheme, things aren’t as clear. Are the Eagles running a 4-3 Under, 3-4, 5-1 or 5-2? The answer is yes. They are doing a bit of everything. That means they can use a variety of players and skill sets. The biggest key to this is that the Eagles want to play with a light box. That means keeping both safeties deep. In order to do that, they need DL who can cover multiple gaps and who play the run well.

Run defense is a numbers game. If you have 8 gaps and 7 defenders, one gap will be open. If you have players who can control 1.5 or 2 gaps (depending on the design of the front), you can cover all the gaps and keep your safeties back.

This draft will give us an idea of what Desai is thinking. How important is having another DT who can 2-gap? Will they spend a premium pick on an edge rusher with Reddick and Sweat already in place? All we can do for now is guess, but don’t be shocked if run defense is more important than you might have thought.

*****

Speaking of Jalen Carter, he has informed teams that he won’t visit anyone who has a pick outside the Top 10. This led to some questions about how/why he did this. Here is Daniel Jeremiah with his take on the situation.

Carter has said he’ll meet with other teams if they come to him, but no visits outside the Top 10. His agent is Drew Rosenhaus, who we know is tight with Howie Roseman. Maybe Howie has let Drew know the Eagles are more than a little interested.

*****

As for the OL…

The Eagles have now met with several of the top OL in the draft. If they don’t go DL, there is a strong chance they’ll go for one of the top blockers.

Skoronski is my highest rated OL in the draft. I think he can start at any of the five spots and play at a high level.

_

Comments are closed.