• March 19, 2024

State of the Eagles (Offense)

during their game at MetLife Stadium on January 3, 2016 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

during their game at MetLife Stadium on January 3, 2016 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

The state of the Eagles offense is a bit of a mystery.  How desperate is the need for a franchise quarterback?  Where are the play-makers on the offense?  Will the Eagles use multiple draft picks on the offensive line?

The Eagles were rather busy in the off-season after signing four of their own on offense. (Celek, Ertz, Johnson and Bradford)  Gone are DeMarco Murray and Mark Sanchez.

The Eagles made improvements to their offensive line and added veteran depth to the wide receiver group.   They arguably had an equal swap with their backup quarterback but did add a vacancy at the running back position.

Having both a short term and long term plan is crucial for Doug Pederson.  Looking beyond the 2016 season is necessary in building a championship caliber team.  This could be the last year in an Eagles uniform for Jason Peters, all three running backs at the top of the depth chart, Sam Bradford, Huff, Givens and Randle.

What the Eagles should do and will do at pick #8 changes on an everyday basis.  Some would argue that offensive line in round one has to be the direction the Eagles go in.  Others believe if Pederson has identified his “franchise quarterback,” that he should make the necessary trade to secure his guy.  Others feel the Eagles should take the best player remaining at pick #8, whether it’s a running back, cornerback, linebacker or defensive lineman.

The Eagles have made it well known they are going to draft a quarterback.  Plenty of reports have surfaced that Pederson thinks the world of Carson Wentz.  It would take the Eagles moving up to land Wentz and possibly Jared Goff who Pederson also thinks highly of.  Even if the top two projected quarterbacks go elsewhere, the Eagles are going to draft a quarterback. They worked out several quarterback prospects and it’s likely a few more will have their chance to show the Eagles why their name should be considered.

The Eagles have also made it clear they are going to address the offensive line.  For the better part of the off-season when the Eagles were still at pick #13, the focus was taking an offensive tackle, starting him at guard this season and then to right tackle for 2017.  The Eagles could certainly do the  select Ronnie Stanley or Jack Conklin even after the signing of Stefen Wisniewski.   Personally, I think the Wisniewski signing is going to be similar to that of when the Eagles signed Evan Mathis.  It was a quieter deal as far as making initial headlines, but the play on the field drew the praise of fans and was once of the better payoff signings that the Eagles have had in recent years.

The 2016 draft has terrific depth at the offensive line position which would allow the Eagles to wait until day two or even day three to draft offensive line depth.  The Eagles could certainly get away with drafting a guard who has experience playing tackle and gamble that Wisniewski earns the starting guard position and then resign him.  Worst case scenario, they move on from Jason Peters in the offseason and use that money to find a free agent to take over the right-tackle spot.

The Eagles need play-makers at the running back and receiver positions.  The team has yet to replace DeMarco Murray.   Ryan Mathews can’t be relied on as a NFL starter, his career continues to be plagued by injuries and he missed multiple games with his one and only season with the Eagles.

Darren Sproles has had an interesting career with the Eagles in terms of how he has been “misused” in his offensive role.  Sproles has stretches of games where he is involved in the offense only to be followed up by weeks of being nearly invincible.  Sproles is likely spending his last season with the team.  He will continue to have the opportunity to show his electricity in the open field as a punt returner, but it’s difficult to project his role out of the backfield.

Barner has glass hands and is a mediocre runner; he likely would have been released prior to the 2015 regular season if he didn’t have one of the “next great thing” preseasons.

The Eagles could really use a running back, and the draft has some three down guys that could be the Eagle lead back of the future. Ezekiel Elliott is wishful thinking, but he would be the “franchise” running back moving forward.  If not Elliot, a guy like Paul Perkins who the Eagles have looked at could be a realistic choice in the third round.

The current wide receivers on the Eagles will get the job done, but the team has a bunch of role players and lacks a guy that can take over a game.  Nelson Agholor doesn’t get a free pass on his rookie season,  expectations are certainly there for a sophomore season that supports why he was drafted in the first round.  The Randle and Givens additions were smart by the Eagles; both serve as an improvement to Huff who may not even make the final roster.  It the Eagles were to trade down in the first round, there are several wide receivers that could make an immediate impact. The likely scenario leaves me to believe the team will select a receiver in the early portion of day three of the draft and approach the 2017 free agency period with wide receiver on top of their “needs” list.

How well the offense produces for the 2016 season ultimately comes down to the play of quarterback Sam Bradford.  It’s very likely that a minimum of five draft picks are used on offense with the upcoming draft (quarterback, running back, wide receiver and two offensive linemen).

How well these selections are scouted and coached up could really impact the process of returning the Eagles to championship conversation. The draft is where the “core” of the future will be built, which means the Eagles can’t miss out on their early and mid-round selections like years past.

 

Jeff Kolsky

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paulman
paulman
April 12, 2016 5:29 pm

Eagles need to Rebuild their RB Corps….
Sproles is likely done after 2016 Season, Ryan Matthews is still on the Trade Block and too unreliable to be counted on as a #1 RB.. Kenjon Barner still has a lot to prove that he’s an NFL RB
This is the Weakest Eagles RB Corps that they have had in a while…
Eagles need to Draft at least 1 to 2 RB’s and bring in another RB to Camp as an UDFA.. The Kid from Villanova is a nice change of pace/scat back but the Eagles need 2 Reliable, good sized, all-around RB’s than can Run,Block,Pass-Protect & Catch out of the Backfield

Oldphillyfan
Oldphillyfan
April 12, 2016 11:29 pm

Next year there will be a bumper crop of outstanding running backs. Grab a RB like Perkins in the third or fourth and address other needs such as O line, LB depth, QB for the future, depth at Safety and a speedy WR with the other picks. Building blocks!

paulman
paulman
April 13, 2016 9:04 am

Potential 2017 Draft Class Players at RB

RB Samaje Perine – Oklahoma (5-11 235lbs)
RB Royce Freeman – Oregon (5-11 230lbs)
RB Dalvin Cook – Florida State (6-0 205lbs)
RB Nick Chubb – Georgia (5-10 220lbs)
RB Leonard Fournette – LSU (6-1 230lbs)
RB Christian McCaffery – Stanford (6-0 205lbs)

Oldphillyfan
Oldphillyfan
April 13, 2016 9:23 am

I rest my case

mhenski
mhenski
April 13, 2016 10:42 am

Elliot is a freak and worthy of drafting at 8 regardless of who is going to be available next year. if tunsil, buckner, & jack are gone and elliot is there you take him period as he is the bpa available. unless wentz is there then you take wentz if the coach, and gm truly believe in him even though he is a lesser prospect.

mhenski
mhenski
April 13, 2016 10:49 am

i also dont think it would be smart to take a olineman at 8 if tunsil isnt there(he wont be). the difference in ronnie stanley/jack conklin from leraven clark, taylor decker, & shonn coleman is minimal all of whom would be attainable with a trade up in the 2nd round or in deckers case will likely be available in the 3rd. we cant be drafting for need at 8. gotta be 1 of elliot, wentz, buckner, tunsil, ramsey, myles jack or hargraves

mhenski
mhenski
April 13, 2016 10:50 am

regarding elliot i see absolutely no way dallas doesnt take him 4. behind that o line and with no pressing needs on offense besides rb, you take him period.

paulman
paulman
April 13, 2016 12:27 pm
Reply to  mhenski

I would have said the same thing about the Cowboys, but then they went out and signed RB Alferd Morris to a 2 Year Deal and still have RB D McFadden and underrated L Dunbar on their Roster…
I believe the Cowboys go after a DE,OLB – Pass Rusher which is their Biggest Need by far and then come back in the 2nd Round to Select Stud RB Derick Henry of Alabama with their #36th Overall Pick…

Cowboys did not pursue DE Greg Hardy, have last Years Draft Pick Randy Gregory Suspended for the 1st 4 Games and really only have Young DeMarco Lawrence and Veteran G Mincey as legitimate Pass-rushers..
Look for a Joey Bosa, Deforest Buckner or LB M Jack before RB Elliot ..

mhenski
mhenski
April 13, 2016 11:18 am

CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora reports the Eagles “are in love” with Ohio State RB Ezekiel Elliott.
La Canfora “continue[s] to hear” that if both Cal QB Jared Goff and North Dakota State QB Carson Wentz are off the board when the Eagles pick at No. 8, then Elliott “is the pick.” The belief around the league is de facto GM Howie Roseman is “dead set on making a huge splash” in the draft. Elliott would qualify and immediately slide in as the Eagles’ three-down workhorse after coach Doug Pederson previously coached workhorses LeSean McCoy and Jamaal Charles. Elliott may not even make it to No. 8, as the Cowboys at No. 4 are said to be “very high” on him.
Related: Eagles
Source: CBS Sports
Apr 13 – 10:54 AM

paulman
paulman
April 13, 2016 12:05 pm
Reply to  mhenski

RB Elliot is the real only Offensive Playmaker from Day 1 in this entire Draft..
The QB’s need time, There are No WR/TE’s who are going to step in and do much in their Rookie Seasons. Zeke Elliot has a Chance to Step right in and Rush for 1,200 Yards with 8-10 TD’s plus he can Catch 50 Passes for another 500-600 Yards and be the only real legitimate Big-Play Man for this Eagles Offense (outside of an aging Sproles.. can Agholor be a Playmaker ? Who knows but he wasn’t last Season)
Without a Big Play RB for the Eagles, Defenses will Double Team Zac Ertz
and Stack the Box and dare the Eagles to Pass over the Top

If Wentz is Off the Board then Eagles Should Draft RB Elliot who can make long, explosive Runs and have to make a Defense play more honest

paulman
paulman
April 13, 2016 12:41 pm

If I am the Eagles , here are my Top 4 Choices …

#1) QB Carson Wentz – Most likely Requires a Trade up, may be too much
#2) OT Laramy Tunsil – Crazy things would have to happen for him to Fall like 2 Teams moving up to grab QB’s pushing him down the Board
#3) DB Jalen Ramsey – The Best Overall Athlete in this Draft and can Play CB or Safety and will likely be an All-Pro at either Position
#4) RB Zeke Elliot – the Most Dynamic Offensive Player in this Entire Draft by far and probably the only Offensive Player who will actually make an impact from Day 1 in the NFL …

I see little Chance of the First 3 options happening (Less than 10%)
so if the Eagles stay at #8, Selecting RB Elliot is their Best Move by far
Elliot I hear is actually High on the Baltimore Ravens Radar at #6 and may not even make it to #8 …

koolbreeze
koolbreeze
April 13, 2016 1:27 pm
Reply to  paulman

#1) QB Carson Wentz – Most likely Requires a Trade up, may be too much

No way…the Eagles would pass on him if he fell to 8 and they are not trading up to get him

#2) OT Laramy Tunsil – Crazy things would have to happen for him to Fall like 2 Teams moving up to grab QB’s pushing him down the Board

No way he gets to 8…he’s too talented..if he were somehow there at 8 the Eagles would HAVE to grab him

#3) DB Jalen Ramsey – The Best Overall Athlete in this Draft and can Play CB or Safety and will likely be an All-Pro at either Position

Not going to make to 8 either…but would be a great pick up

#4) RB Zeke Elliot – the Most Dynamic Offensive Player in this Entire Draft by far and probably the only Offensive Player who will actually make an impact from Day 1 in the NFL …

If he gets to 8 he’s probably the Eagles best option for a sure playmaker on the Offensive side of the ball. Sam Bradford needs some home run threats…some playmakers and Elliot would be the best playmaker he has ever had in his career.

The Eagles should get him!

Lets look at a more realistic prospect list, devoid of Pman’s fantansies

#1) Elliot RB–Excellent, probably the best pickup for the Eagles
#2) Buckner DL- Very Good, versatility can play inside and out and next too Fletcher Cox in passing situations he would be a terror
#3)Vernon Hargreaves CB- Good a good corner helps my back end

paulman
paulman
April 13, 2016 3:52 pm
Reply to  koolbreeze

If my Top 4 Scenarios are Off the Board which is very likely,
Then I would Draft the Following

CB William Jackson over Vernon Hargreaves III.. Jackson is the Best Cover CB in this Draft with the most upside…I would even take CB Eli Apple over Vernon Hargreaves also…

DL Buckner is a 5 Technique DE in a 3-4 Scheme and not a Good Fit for
Schwartz Scheme where the DE”s have to stay low and have that explosion to get upfield and penetrate quickly…Buckner is more of a Read and React type of DL (At least over his 3 Year College Career at Oregon he was and a good one, but it’s just a different scheme than he’s played before)

If you want to add a pure Pass-Rusher to the Eagles, you would be better off
with Shaq Lawson, Noah Spence or Kevin Dodd than Buckner