Philadelphia, PA
- As another season of Philadelphia Eagles football comes near; the Eagles look to build off of the success of the past two seasons they’ve had. The off-season was good for Philadelphia, as they managed to retain many of their key pieces, while at the same time adding substantial upgrades and depth players.
Wentz 2019 Eagles Season
Carson Wentz signed a new contract, and the Birds let Nick Foles go. Many people felt Foles was a better option, but Wentz has shown that he’s dynamic when he’s healthy, and it makes sense for the Eagles to stick with the more youthful option. This year he’ll have some new weapons to throw to as well, as serious threat DeSean Jackson has returned to the team that drafted him. He is 32 years old, but he still has the great speed to beat any defensive back. The Eagles also added running-back Jordan Howard from the Bears, who ran effectively between the tackles for Chicago the past few years.
Eagles 2019 Defense Outlook
Defensively, the Eagles did lose two veteran pass rushers in Chris Long and Michael Bennett but replaced them with new faces in Malik Jackson and Vinny Curry. The pass rush should still be scary with Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham going strong. The Eagles released linebacker Jordan Hicks, who flashed potential but also struggled to stay on the field. Philly also signed Zach Brown from the Redskins, who is a first-round and rangy linebacker in space. In the secondary, veterans Malcolm Jenkins and Rodney McLeod return at safety. A healthy Jalen Mills will look to secure the top cornerback spot, with Sidney Jones, Rasul Douglas, and Avonte Maddox all vying for snaps alongside him. The Eagles have, youth in the secondary, and it’ll be exciting to see if one of those younger guys can develop into a player.
Eagles 2019 Draft Picks
In April, the NFL Draft took place in Nashville. The Eagles used a first-round pick to acquire offensive tackle, Andre Dillard. The former Washington State Cougar will help strengthen an offensive line looking to protect Carson Wentz and create more extensive running lanes for the Eagles running-backs. He also provides a potential option to start when franchise stalwart Jason Peters retires. Peters is 37 entering the season plagued with injuries as of late. The Birds also drafted wide receiver J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, who at 6’3” could be a good vertical threat receiver who can win jump balls. He has strong hands and could be a starting player by season’s end. The Eagles also added a new running-back to add to a crowded position group in Miles Sanders. Sanders sat behind Saquon Barkley at Penn State and has a similar skillset to him, being able to make defenders miss in space and also run hard with powers when needed. He’s already a favorite to get, snaps this season.
Eagles NFC North Outlook
The Eagles have a good roster that arguably improved after this offseason. If their key players can stay healthy and young players can develop, this team could have a shot to make another playoff run. Their schedule isn’t the easiest, with the Eagles matching up with the entire NFC North and AFC East -- divisions that include the Bears, Packers, and Patriots--, the Seahawks, the Falcons, and six games inside the NFC East. The Cowboys look to be a playoff
