Analysis
7/26/22
6 min read
Grading Every Philadelphia Eagles Position Group Going into 2022
For a team with a new coach and roster that looked to be retooling and building for the future, Philadelphia snuck in as a wildcard team in 2021. Still able to maintain many of their future assets, Philadelphia made big moves in the offseason to assure their spot as competitors in the NFC in 2022 and beyond.
QB: Jalen Hurts, Gardner Minshew, Carson Strong, Reid Sinnett
Grade: B
Explanation: Like every team, the QB position will completely decide the fate of the Eagles’ season. This is, even more, the case for the Eagles, as their roster is ready to compete now. The QB position, Jalen Hurts specifically, is one of the only real unknowns on this team. Hurts has played well but not been consistent, as the team relied heavily on the run game last year. Behind Hurts, Minshew should be an effective backup, as a player who has had success as a starter.
RB: Miles Sanders, Kenneth Gainwell, Boston Scott, Jason Huntley, Kennedy Brooks
Grade: B+
Explanation: Between the RB group and Jalen Hurts, the Eagles compiled the best rushing attack in the league, as they led the league in rush yards. On an individual level, this group is not as talented as the production would suggest, but as a committee, they get the job done and more. Sanders had just 137 carries last season, but totaled over five YPC, so his yardage total should only get more impressive with increased touches.
WR: A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Quez Watkins, Zach Pascal, Jalen Reagor, Greg Ward, Deon Cain, John Hightower, Britain Covey, Josh Hammond, Keric Wheatfall, Devon Allen
Grade: A-
Explanation: The most polarizing position on the Eagles over the past few seasons, Philadelphia had struggled to get the position right despite many investments made in it. However, it seems as though Philadelphia has finally gotten it right. DeVonta Smith fell just short of 1,000 yards in an impressive rookie season, as he should improve in year two.
READ MORE: Have the Eagles Invested Too Much at Wide Receiver?
The biggest move of the offseason for Philadelphia also improved this group, as they traded for and extended Pro-Bowl WR A.J. Brown. Depth may still be an issue, but the group is much better than in years past and should take the offense to the next level.
TE: Dallas Goedert, Jack Stoll, Grant Calcaterra, Tyree Jackson, J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, Richard Rodgers, Noah Togai
Grade: B+
Explanation: A nice compliment to the upgraded WR core, the TE group also has some talent to help the young QB, headlined by Dallas Goedert. After the departure of Zach Ertz, Goedert stepped-up big and became the team’s second-leading WR. That said, the group will be hurt by its depth and overall inexperience.
OL: Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Jason Kelce, Isaac Seumalo, Lane Johnson, Andre Dillard, Sua Opeta, Cam Jurgens, Jack Anderson, Jack Driscoll, Brett Toth, Josh Sills, Kayode Awosika, Le’Raven Clark, William Dunkie, Jarrid Williams
Grade: A
Explanation: Perhaps the best unit in the whole league, Philadelphia has built an impressive OL unit, filled from left to right with talented veterans.
READ MORE: Tiering the Best Offensive Lines in the NFL
Between Mailata, Kelce, Seumalo, and Johnson, staying healthy will be the only setback, otherwise, the group is as good as it gets. Dickerson was good as a rookie and should only improve, while the rest of the group does have some formidable depth pieces.
DL: Brandon Graham, Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave, Derek Barnett, Haason Reddick, Josh Sweat, Jordan Davis, Milton Williams, Tarron Jackson, Kyron Johnson, Matt Leo, Marlon Tuipulotu, Marvin Wilson, Patrick Johnson, Rennell Wren, Noah Ellis
Grade: A
Explanation: A unit that has consistently been great for Philadelphia over the past half-decade, the DL is back in full force and better than ever with talent all over the interior. Despite aging veterans like Cox and Graham, Philadelphia has been able to make moves and draft picks to infuse young talent like signing Javon Hargrave and drafting Jordan Davis.
The biggest challenge will be trying to figure out which combination of players will be best, as there are so many high-quality players in this group. While Derek Barnett has been good at times, they lacked a true consistent EDGE rusher but the move for Haason Reddick this offseason and the ascension of Josh Sweat make this group one of, if not, the best in the league top to bottom.
LB: T.J. Edwards, Kyzir White, Davion Taylor, Nakobe Dean, JaCoby Stevens, Shaun Bradley, Christian Ellis
Grade: B+
Explanation: While not the strongest group on the roster, the LB position was upgraded this season and is an underrated group. T.J. Edwards returns as a starter, while Kyzir White signed as a FA after his solid season in LA. Nakobe Dean was also drafted in the third round, as he slipped down draft boards due to injury concerns, even though he was a first-round talent. This group will need to prove they can play well but have the talent to do so.
CB: Darius Slay, James Bradberry, Zech McPhearson, Tay Gowan, Jimmy Moreland, Josh Blackwell, Josh Jobe, Mario Goodrich
Grade: A-
Explanation: Darius Slay has been consistently great and was one of the league’s best CBs last season. Philadelphia also made a move to sign James Bradberry, who took a step back after his 2020 season but can still play at a high level. Adding Bradberry filled their biggest need at the time, as the two now form one of the league’s best duos. That said, the rest of the group lacks sufficient depth, as they could be an injury away from being in trouble.
S: Anthony Harris, Marcus Epps, Jaquiski Tartt, K’Von Wallace, Jared Mayden, Andre Chachere, Reed Blankenship
Grade: C+
Explanation: The safety group is the weakest group on the defense and may be on the whole team. Harris was alright last year but must play at a higher level to carry this group. Similarly, Philadelphia signed Jaquiski Tartt to compete with Marcus Epps for the other S spot, as he started 3 games last season. The group must improve their play from last season to not hold back the performance of the team.
