Articles by Paul Macrie (53)
Pro Football Focus considers the Eagles offensive line as “having the fewest holes.” Though they mention center Jason Kelce as the unit’s biggest question mark, Lane Johnson, when on the field, is the best right tackle in football. There is nothing to argue with Pro Football Focus’ brief take on the No. 1 offensive line. But can the Eagles offensive line unit live up to the hype as the season approaches?
This offseason, Smith decided to skip all 10 OTA, voluntary practices. Yes, the practices are voluntary, but for a player fighting for a roster spot in 2017, it would have better served him to be at the practices with his teammates trying to make a good impression on his coaches. Instead, he and his agent Kennard McGuire collectively thought it was in the best interest to workout at home, away from the facility where true football conditioning takes place.
In a part of the yearly calendar where there isn’t much to talk about with the Philadelphia sports teams, the media will do almost anything to grab at a storyline. Fletcher Cox’s “no-show” from OTA’s last week was an easy serve for the starving headline-grabbing local sports hounds.
Despite a lack of cap space, the Eagles added running back LeGarrette Blount and found a way to fit in veteran options that should bolster the roster of the short-term with the hope that it could springboard the franchise for long-term success.
Despite the perceived safe pick in the first round and calculated risk in the second round, did the Eagles miss the opportunity to take a high-upside feature running back in the second round?
Though the defense needs a major talent infusion at defensive back, the Eagles front office shouldn’t neglect the continued need for long-term solutions at receiver.
With only two weeks remaining until the much-talked about NFL Draft in Philadelphia, it is time to make a best effort at determining the Eagles’ selections in the first three rounds. Of course, it will be very difficult — almost impossible in fact — to completely peg down who the team decides to add to their roster from April 27-29, but free agency has possibly narrowed down the targets.
The Eagles continued their productive offseason on Tuesday afternoon by acquiring defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan from the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for a swap of third-round picks. The Eagles moved down 25 spots in the round, 74th overall to 99th, to add much-needed youth and depth to the defensive line.
Jabrill Peppers is one of the most intriguing prospects that has entered this year’s draft. The do-it-all athlete was a star for three seasons at Michigan, where he played both sides of the football, and excelled on special teams too. Peppers earned snaps at 15 different positions on offense, defense and special teams during his collegiate career, and was a first team All-American and Heisman finalist in 2016.
For the Eagles, they have likely concluded their pursuit of free agency shopping, though there is a chance they could sign a low-level free agent or two in the coming days or weeks. It is time to shift the offseason focus to the NFL Draft in late April — where the city of Philadelphia will be the host.