Adrian Fedkiw
Insert your Fletcher Cox joke here __________. I’m going to keep this one PG.
The Philadelphia Eagles and Cox agreed to a whopping six-year, $103 million extension last month with $63-million guaranteed, which is the highest for a non-quarterback in NFL history.
Now Cox needs to live up to it.
The 25-year-old racked up a career-high 9 1/2 sacks and 71 tackles in a breakout 2015 campaign which saw him make the Pro Bowl for the first time. He was also named a second-team All-Pro by the Associated Press for a second consecutive season. Now he gets to play under defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, who has always gotten the most out of his defensive tackles, where he gets to move to his more natural position as the vital 3-technique.
We might be seeing Cox set new career highs in 2016. His role is simple; get after the quarterback, create havoc and force negative plays. With a unique blend of size, quickness, power and technique, Cox has the potential to post double-digit sack totals for the entire duration of his contract. And when he’s not bringing down the quarterback, his ability to consistently get into the backfield will force the quarterback to escape the pocket and potentially allow his teammates to record sacks instead. Cox plays the run just as well, winning with power, leverage and explosive hands at the point of attack. His superb block recognition allows him to slither around blocks unabated as well.
Playing alongside Cox will be Bennie Logan, who is in a contract year and a great position to post huge stats due to Cox. The undersized Logan played in a read-and-react role as a nose tackle last year, but will be asked to get after the quarterback in 2016. Mike Martin and Beau Allen add depth at defensive tackle.
Vinny Curry, who signed a five-year, $47.25 million deal during the offseason, was given a lot of money in anticipation that he can flourish as a defensive end in the 4-3. Although he recorded just 3 1/2 sacks last year while 35 percent of the snaps, Curry got to the quarterback nine times while seeing the field just 32 percent of the time in 2014. The 28-year-old has the potential to be an exceptional pass rusher, but what I want to see in Training Camp and the preseason is improvements in his run defense, which is his Achilles heel.
Brandon Graham also moves to a more natural position as a 4-3 defensive end. While improving in pass coverage as a 3-4 outside linebacker over the last few years, it certainly wasn’t his strong suit. Good thing he won’t have to worry about that as much under Schwartz. Connor Barwin will have his hand on the ground as well after being a jack-of-all trades 3-4 outside linebacker that got after the quarterback, set the edge and dropped back in coverage.
The biggest question mark heading into 2016 is Marcus Smith. He’s stated this offseason that he’s excited about his simplified role and just getting after the quarterback after playing hesitant as a 3-4 outside linebacker with a lot more on his plate. Smith tallied five of his seven tackles and all 1 1/2 of his sacks over his final three games last season.
Training Camp Preview: Quarterbacks
Training Camp Preview: Running Backs
Training Camp Preview: Wide Receivers