Adrian Fedkiw
Each day leading up to the official start of the NFL football season, I will be providing you with player rankings, team previews, analysis, predictions, opinions and a whole lot more.
Trading your starting quarterback a week before the season is unprecedented, but it was a no-brainer when evaluating the present along with the future.
Due to the desperation of the Minnesota Vikings following the gruesome injury to quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. Philadelphia Eagles vice president of football operations Howie Roseman was not only able to pluck a first-rounder for Sam Bradford, but a fourth as well. The Eagles would’ve been lucky to get a second-rounder for Bradford following the conclusion of the season.
Wow!
So let’s recap that trade to get up to No. 2 and take Carson Wentz in the NFL Draft for a second. The Eagles sent their eighth overall, third round (77th overall) and fourth round (100) picks in 2016 along with a 2017 first-rounder and 2018 second-rounder to Cleveland for that No. 2 and a 2017 fourth rounder.
After all the wheeling and dealing this offseason, Philadelphia has essentially gotten all of its picks back. Here’s where the Eagles now stand the next two drafts. They have eight picks in each draft and the only round that’s empty is a 2018 second. Turns out the Eagles really didn’t give up the farm for Wentz did they?
Check it out.
2017: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th.
2018: 1st, 3rd, 4th, 4th, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th.
What a crazy offseason, and I don’t have enough time to delve into the Doug Pederson hiring as head coach, what Jim Schwartz brings to the table as the defensive coordinator, all the money Roseman spent and the other trades he made.
It’s been absolute madness.
Shenanigans!
Grading the Roster
QBs-Carson Wentz (7.3), Chase Daniel (7.3)
RBs- Ryan Mathews (7.4), Darren Sproles (7.3), Wendell Smallwood (7.2)
WRs- Jordan Matthews (7.4), Dorial Green-Beckham (7.3), Nelson Agholor (7.1), Josh Huff (7.1)
TEs- Zach Ertz (7.5), Brent Celek (7.3)
Ts- Jason Peters (7.6), Lane Johnson (7.5), Matt Tobin (7.2)
Gs- Brandon Brooks (7.5), Allen Barbre (7.2), Isaac Seumalo (7.2)
Cs- Jason Kelce (7.4), Stefen Wisniewski (7.3)
DEs- Connor Barwin (7.5), Vinny Curry (7.5), Brandon Graham (7.4), Marcus Smith (7.2)
DTs- Fletcher Cox (8.3), Bennie Logan (7.5), Beau Allen (7.3), Destiny Vaeao (7.1)
OLBs- Mychal Kendricks (7.4), Nigel Bradham (7.3), Bryan Braman (7.2)
ILBs- Jordan Hicks (7.6), Stephen Tulloch (7.3)
CBs- Nolan Carroll (7.3), Leodis McKelvin (7.3), Ron Brooks (7.2), Jalen Mills (7.1)
Ss- Malcolm Jenkins (8), Rodney McLeod (7.5), Jaylen Watkins (7.2)
K- Caleb Sturgis (7.3)
P- Donnie Jones (7.3)
KR- Josh Huff (7.3)
PR- Darren Sproles (7.4)
Team Rankings
Team- 7.354 (25/32)
Offense- 7.328 (26/32)
Defense- 7.401 (15/32)
Quarterbacks-7.3 (27/32)
Running Backs- 7.3 (21/32)
Receivers- 7.28 (30/32)
Offensive Line- 7.36 (17/32)
Defensive Line- 7.49 (5/16)
Linebackers- 7.3 (11/16)
Secondary- 7.37 (17/32)
Special Teams- 7.33
Coaches- 7.3
PREDICTION– 6-10 (4th NFC East)
QUARTERBACKS
Wentz has just 23 starts and 612 pass attempts at the FCS level and just one NFL preseason game under his belt. How is he going to handle the speed of the game coming from North Dakota State?
He’s definitely in a great situation where he’s receiving tutelage from two former back-up quarterbacks in Pederson and offensive coordinator Frank Reich. And to take it a step further, they got to pick the brains of some of the all-time greats while they were in the league. Pederson backed up Brett Favre in Green Bay and Dan Marino in Miami, while Reich played with Jim Kelly in Buffalo. Wentz will also have Chase Daniel in his corner, a guy who knows Pederson’s offense well after spending three years in Kansas City while he was the defensive coordinator. Wentz worked in a similar type of West Coast offense while with North Dakota State which was rather complex and that should make the learning curve easier.
In my opinion, Wentz had the best feet in the rookie quarterback class. He has smooth, quiet feet when taking snaps from under center. He’s athletic, has a compact release, great zip on tighter-window passes, slides in the pocket well and makes good throws and decisions while under duress.
Wentz had 642 yards rushing in 2014 with the Bison. He’s going to be a weapon around the goal line using his frame and athletic ability. It’s another tool in the arsenal. He also does a good job of improvising when the play breaks down.
Of course there are the downsides. There’s the injury history and him missing eight games this last season due to a broken wrist. From a decision standpoint, Wentz can get into stretches where he lives dangerously trying to thread passes into tight windows and overthrows were a problem during Training Camp.
And for the doubters that Wentz can make the transition as an FCS quarterback, I’ve got this nugget.
Five non-FBS quarterbacks have been taken in the first round since 1978: Doug Williams (17th, 1978), Phil Simms (7th, 1979), Ken O’Brien (24th, 1983), Steve McNair (3rd, 1995) and Joe Flacco (18th, 2008). Three of those guys won a Super Bowl and another was a yard short of potentially winning one. O’Brien was the only one to not play in a Super Bowl, but he wasn’t an FCS quarterback.
So every FCS quarterback who has been drafted in the first round over the last 38 years has at least made it to the big game.
RUNNING BACKS
Ryan Mathews was second among running backs in average per carry (5.1), totaling 539 yards and six touchdowns. He was a lot more decisive as a one-cut runner on the inside zone and sweep play under Chip Kelly than DeMarco Murray was. This is a new offense, however, and how will Mathews fit in?
I don’t expect Mathews to have any problems toting the rock in an offense that will feature more power running, but Pederson likes his running backs to be able to snag passes out of the backfield. This is a problem for Mathews, who doesn’t have great hands. He also has a problem staying on the field, playing in all 16 games just once out of his six years in the NFL.
The 33-year-old Darren Sproles continues to be a dynamic threat both running and catching the football and mos. His vision remains superb and the acceleration is still there despite his age.
Andy Reid’s teams have used running backs and tight ends in the passing game more than anyone else in the NFL and this is key for the Eagles due to their lack of big-play threats at wide receiver. The same will hold true under Pederson. Sproles is an X-factor on offense and it’ll be interesting to see how he’s utilized. Will he be motioned around and see snaps as a wide receiver like Brian Westbrook used to, we shall see. He’ll certainly be a key cog on third down.
Fifth-round draft pick Wendell Smallwood received a lot of praise during the spring practices and Training Camp, but the injury bug bit him during the preseason and saw limited action.
RECEIVERS
The Eagles had the worst set of wide receivers in the NFL last season and it wasn’t close, they can only go up from here — at least you’d think so. They led the NFL in drops with 37, according to Sporting Charts, which was six more than their next closest competitor the Oakland Raiders. Six percent of the 620 targets Philadelphia receivers had weren’t hauled in.
Pederson experimented with Jordan Matthews, who missed the entire preseason with a knee injury, on the outside during voluntary camp, but he’s back to being in the slot. Matthews had the fewest drops among Philly receivers a year ago with five on 128 targets. He posted 997 yards receiving in Kelly’s up-tempo attack and yes those numbers are a bit deceiving. The Eagles ran the second most plays per game a year ago (69.2) compared to Kansas City, which had the second fewest (59.3). Had Matthews played for the slow and methodical Chiefs, he would’ve only recorded 855 yards receiving. That’s how much of a difference the tempo made.
Dorial Green-Beckham was a great get by Roseman. The 6’5, near 240-pounder is at his best using his frame, physicality and body control while snagging back-shoulder throws and fade routes. The Eagles need a wideout to emerge to complement Matthews and it might be Green-Beckham.
Nelson Agholor and Josh Huff are x-factors. Agholor actually showed flashes in the preseason last year, especially with his run-after-the-catch explosiveness, but then the regular season came around and he couldn’t catch a nose bleed. It was more of the same during the preseason. Huff has shown a few flashes as well, but for every slant pass he snags and picks up several yards after the catch, there’s the drops and fumbles.
Zach Ertz was supposed to break out the last two years and failed to play up to expectations, but with a new coach in town maybe he’ll finally break through and live up to that five-year, $42 million contract.
Ertz has seen just 49.96 and 68.25 percent of the teams snaps the last two years, respectively, due to a ravaged offensive line and ineptitude of Kelly.Obviously, Brent Celek is seen as the better blocker between he and Ertz, but with the Eagles lacking weapons at wide receiver, Ertz should’ve seen more snaps.
Ertz made some positive strides as a run blocker, excelling in that area during the preseason. We’re also probably going to see him lined up everywhere like the Kansas City Chiefs did last year with Travis Kelce, who didn’t just line up at tight end, he’s also been in the slot, backfield and out wide.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
Right tackle Lane Johnson has yet to be suspended, this entire ordeal has been very bizarre. Can left tackle Jason Peters stay on the field after his injury-plagued 2015 campaign when he was seemingly leaving every contest with some type of nagging injury. I do believe the slower brand of football will help him out tremendously.
Jason Kelce has the most to prove heading into 2016, not only bouncing back from a disastrous year but transitioning from playing finesse football to a power game. Kelce was a fantastic pulling center on Kelly’s patented sweep play using his athleticism to get along the boundary and block defenders. He’s great at getting to the second level and blocking in the screen game. But the power game and moving massive men backwards? It’s a question mark. Kelce’s playing weight was approximately between 280-285 pounds last year. Kansas City’s starting center in 2015, Mitch Morse, is 305. Stefen Wisniewski is also 305.
Let’s remember, however, that Kelce will be getting more help this season. Evan Mathis and Todd Herremans were not retained heading into 2015 and the lack of cohesion and talent between Kelce and his guards showed. Free agent right-guard Brandon Brooks should provide a huge boost for Kelce. He’s powerful and plays with good technique.
If Johnson does wind up being suspended, left guard Allen Barbre will swing out to right tackle and either Wisniewski or third-round rookie Isaac Seumalo will step in at left guard.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
Defensive tackle Fletcher Cox agreed to a whopping six-year, $103 million extension in June with $63-million guaranteed, which at the time was the highest for a non-quarterback in NFL history.
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. 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.
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. Beau Allen is another solid option 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. The 28-year-old has the potential to be an exceptional pass rusher, but in order for him to be a complete player he needs to improve his run defense.
Brandon Graham also moves to a more natural position as a 4-3 defensive end and had a promising preseason. 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. Don’t laugh but Marcus Smith silently had a solid preseason for his standards, we’ll see if it translates.
LINEBACKERS
The Philadelphia Eagles’ starting trio of Jordan Hicks, Nigel Bradham and Mychal Kendricks have never gone through an entire 16-game season unscathed.
That’s scary, especially with a lack of depth behind those three at linebacker.
Hicks plays with a non-stop motor, takes the proper angles to the ball carrier and knows how to take on blocks and when to disengage in the run game. He’s also a natural in coverage, using his athleticism to effectively change direction and turn-and-run. Hicks also has solid recognition skills in zone coverage.
Kendricks is a strong pass rusher and times his blitzes well, but has silently regressed over recent years and needs a bounce-back season. He had a slot of coverage breakdowns last year. Bradham had his best season while playing for Schwartz with the Buffalo Bills in 2014, posting 104 tackles and seven pass breakups.
Stephen Tulloch is the only other linebacker in the roster and the veteran provides solid depth. Seventh-round pick Joe Walker got hurt, while undrafted rookie Myke Tavarres, Don Cherry and Quentin Gause didn’t show enough to warrant roster spots. Najee Goode’s release was a surprise too.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
The Eagles may not have a true lockdown cornerback on the roster, but there will be plenty of help to hide those deficiencies. Not only is the pass rush going to help out a great deal, the corners won’t be on an island snap after snap like they were under Billy Davis. Schwartz prefers to rush four and drop back seven, which obviously offers a lot more support to the cornerbacks than Davis’ tactics. And let’s not forget about Malcolm Jenkins and Rodney McLeod, who might be one of the best if not the best safety duos in the league.
The 31-year-old Leodis McKelvin, who signed a two-year, $6 million contract during the offseason, had his best season under Schwartz in while with the Bills, finishing in the top 10 of Pro Football Focus’ cornerback rankings. Nolan Carroll was arguably the team’s best cornerback a year ago, outplaying the high-priced Byron Maxwell the first month before being lost for the season with a broken ankle in the Eagles’ Week 12 Thanksgiving loss to the Detroit Lions. He posted 57 tackles and two interceptions.
Ron Brooks was brought in to be the nickel cornerback and seventh-round rookie Jalen Mills is an interesting prospect. He lit it up during the spring and Training Camp, but reality finally hit during the preseason.
Jenkins can do a little bit of everything. He excels in the running game playing in the box, which is something that used to be a weakness while he was with the New Orleans Saints. He can also play the slot and cover both tight ends and wide receivers. If he does have a weakness, it’s going up against the quick and shifty slot receivers, evidenced by what Cole Beasley did to him last year.
The 25-year-old McLeod, who agreed to a five-year $37 million deal, posted 82 tackles and an interception with the Rams last season and was rated as the 10th best safety by Pro Football Focus. Not only is McLeod one of the hardest hitting safeties in the league, but he’s also adept in coverage and can go sideline to sideline.
TEAM PREVIEWS
AFC East: Buffalo Bills | New England Patriots | Miami Dolphins | New York Jets
AFC North: Baltimore Ravens | Cincinnati Bengals | Pittsburgh Steelers | Cleveland Browns
AFC South: Indianapolis Colts | Houston Texans | Jacksonville Jaguars | Tennessee Titans
AFC West: Denver Broncos | Kansas City Chiefs | San Diego Chargers | Oakland Raiders
NFC West: Los Angeles Rams | San Francisco 49ers | Seattle Seahawks | Arizona Cardinals
NFC South: Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Atlanta Falcons | New Orleans Saints | Carolina Panthers
NFC North: Chicago Bears | Detroit Lions | Minnesota Vikings | Green Bay Packers
NFC East: New York Giants | Washington Redskins |
NFL PLAYER RANKINGS
Top 50 NFL 4-3 Outside Linebackers
K – Caleb Sturgis (10.0)
LOL