Patrick Causey, on Twitter @PhillySportsJD
We are still approximately three months away until the start of the Philadelphia Eagles season. We have training camp and preseason games until we can finally see the dramatically revised team take the field.
But that won't stop me from making a far too early prediction as to which players are primed for breakout seasons.
To be clear, these are players that have yet to establish themselves as big time players. So I am not including Fletcher Cox, Jason Peters or Connor Barwin, three of the best players for the Eagles last year.
Jordan Matthews, WR
Jordan Matthews struggled to find consistency early last year, but was still able to put up an impressive stat line as a rookie, with 67 catches, 872 yards, and 8 touchdowns. Matthews figures to be even more productive in his second season.
Matthews has a relentless work ethic, and is always looking for ways to improve his game. Whether it's watching tape of cornerbacks he would face in the Senior Bowl, or showing up early to training camp his rookie year, or training with Calvin Johnson and A.J. Green each of the last two offseasons so that he could learn from some of the best in the game, Matthews is not shy to put in the work needed to become great.
The Eagles will likely line Matthews up on the outside more than last year — he was used almost exclusively in the slot — which should give him even more opportunities to produce. I expect Matthews to have a big year next year, with 85 catches, 1100 yards and 10 touchdowns as a realistic projection.
Lane Johnson, RT
When the Eagles drafted Lane Johnson with the 4th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, he was largely a project. Johnson is an athletic freak — he can do a 360 dunk at 6'6 310 pounds — and was chosen in large part because of his athleticism and upside.
Johnson flashed his incredible potential last year after he returned from a four game suspension for violating the NFL's Performance Enhancing Drug Policy. His return solidified the right side of the Eagles offensive line, leading to a dramatic improvement in the Eagles run game. He finished the season as the second rated right tackle per ProFootballFocus.com.
And he figures to only be better next year. Johnson put in the work this offseason, going through a brutal workout program run by Jay Glazer and Randy Couture's MMA company. He was "puking non-stop" the first couple of days, but it paid dividends, as he got himself into the best shape of his life. I expect Johnson to take another step forward and possibly make his first Pro Bowl. He will eventually overtake Jason Peters at the left side of the Eagles offensive line, but for now, he will solidify himself as one of the best right tackles in all of football.
Zach Ertz, TE
Stop if you heard this before: Zach Ertz is primed for a breakout year. Blessed with a rare combination of size, speed and precise route running ability, Ertz was the trendy pick to breakout last year. But it never came to fruition.
He was very productive when he was on the field, but the Eagles kept him on the sideline far too often, in large part, due to his blocking ability (or lack thereof). The Eagles ran the 11 personnel — three receivers, one running back and one tight end — and because the coaching staff could not trust Ertz' blocking ability, he sat on the sideline in favor of Brent Celek.
But like Johnson, Ertz put in the work this offseason to improve his game, working with Tony Gonzalez and former Dallas Cowboy offensive line coach Hudson Houck. His goal is simple: "I want to be the best." But he has to get on the field for more than 50% of the plays for that to happen. But with Maclin gone, the Eagles sorely need playmakers to step up. So I think they will give Ertz every opportunity to get on the field. And when he does, I expect Ertz to play very well.
Ryan Mathews, RB
Mathews has become an afterthought in the otherwise crazy offseason the Eagles have had. However, not too long ago, Mathews was thought of as one of the best young running backs in the NFL. Injuries have hampered Mathews career. But when healthy, he has been a very productive running back. He has rushed for over 1,000 yards twice in his career — in 2011, when he rushed for 1,091 yards and 6 touchdowns on 222 carries, and in 2013, when he rushed for 1,255 yards and 6 touchdowns on 285 carries. So the talent is there.
His running style fits well with what the Eagles want. He is a one-cut, downhill runner that will be able to consistently get positive yardage in the Eagles up-tempo scheme. And while he will initially start behind DeMarco Murray on the depth-chart, Mathews will get plenty of opportunities to shine given Murray's injury history (he has played only one full season in his four year career) and his incredible work load last year (Murray had 449 touches last year).
History is anything but kind to running backs that are coming off of a season with that high of a workload. So unless Chip Kelly's sports science program can work wonders, I expect Murray to spend a good bit of time on the sideline. Fortunately for Eagles fans, the running game should not skip a beat, because Mathews is a very talented runner that should perform well when given the shot.
Kiko Alonso, ILB
In Kiko Alonso's rookie year, he had 159 tackles, 2 sacks, 4 interceptions, 4 passes defended and 1 forced fumble. He was the defensive rookie of the year, and was building the reputation as a tackling machine that would become a perennial Pro Bowler.
However, Alonso missed all of last season with a torn acl. This injury has caused some to forget how truly dominant Alonso was in 2013. Some have questioned whether the dominant season was just a statistical fluke, and have wondered whether Alonso can bounce back from another major injury.
I'm not buying it. Alonso has a very good combination of size and speed that should allow him to excel in Billy Davis' defense. Whether he plays alongside DeMeco Ryans or Mychal Kendricks should not matter much; Alonso is going to produce regardless. I think Alonso is going to become a fan favorite very quickly — he will provide the tough nosed, hard tackling style of defense that this city loves and has craved since #20 hung it up.
Three other players that just missed the cut: I only wanted to cover five, but here are three other runner-ups:
- Nelson Agholor: I have explained why I think he will excel here; he is a versatile playmaker that should help fill the void left by Jeremy Maclin. I expect him to compete for rookie of the year;
- Bennie Logan: I expect the third-year nose tackle to take another leap forward, making the Eagles defensive line even more dominant than it was last year;
- Josh Huff: I have covered why I think Huff takes the step forward here; but in short, Huff has the potential to be a dynamic receiver and kickoff returner. If he can get himself prepared mentally for the season, watch out.
