By Tucker Bagley, Sports Talk Philly staff writer 
Earlier this week, I gave my projections for the Eagles 2017 draft class and began to wonder about what I had written one year ago regarding the players the Birds took during the 2016 NFL Draft.
Granted, it is nearly impossible to say how a player's career will turn out mere days after joining their first NFL team, but revisiting these projections can give us a good understanding of how the perception of these second-year players changed over the course of their first year in professional football.
Carson Wentz
What Was Said: "It was assumed that Wentz was going to take a redshirt year in order to pick up the nuances of Pederson's offense and adjust to the speed of the NFL. But with the drama revolving around Sam Bradford, that plan may be in a bit of jeopardy.
"With the amount the Eagles gave up for him, Wentz will be given every opportunity to take the starting QB job and the team will be patient with his development."
What Has Changed: Well, Bradford was traded to the Minnesota Vikings days before the start of the 2016 season and Wentz started all 16 games as a result. His play was uneven at times, but a lot of that can be attributed to a less than stellar supporting cast.
It is clear Wentz has the tools and intangibles of a franchise QB, it is now up to him to figure things out and get the Eagles back into the postseason.
Isaac Seumalo
What Was Said: "Depending on how quickly he adapts to Pederson's offense, Seumalo may be used as a back up in 2016. His versatility could make him a valuable depth piece and his athleticism makes him a step above the current reserve linemen on the Eagles roster.
"The Eagles obviously view Seumalo as a long-term starter on their offensive line. If he can't win the battle at left guard, there is a shot he replaces Jason Kelce at center down the road."
What Has Changed: Seumalo impressed in his four starts in 2016, playing both guard spots and even right tackle in a pinch. He didn't play any center, and with how effective he was at guard and tackle in 2016, that doesn't seem to be in the cards for him.
The Eagles did a lot to improve their depth along the interior of their offensive line in the offseason. They currently have five guys on their roster with starting experience at guard or center. Seumalo will have to battle for playing time in 2017, but his rookie season was very encouraging and it looks like he is on his way to becoming a quality starting lineman in the NFL.
Wendell Smallwood
What Was Said: "[T]here will certainly be carries for Smallwood. [Ryan] Mathews is injury prone and [Darren] Sproles and [Kenjon] Barner are strictly change-of-pace backs. Make no mistake, if he's healthy, Mathews will be the feature back, but his injury history and inability to catch will give Smallwood an opportunity to make an impact in this offense.
"Smallwood may not be the feature back of the future. He certainly could be, and at minimum he will be the starter in 2017, but there is a reason he was still available in the fifth round and his off the field history make him a bit of a wild card. I'm not saying his future is dim, but to count on a fifth round pick to carry this offense seems a bit too optimistic for right now."
What Has Changed: Smallwood struggled to stay healthy in 2016 and his production took a hit as a result. The backfield hasn't gotten any more crowded with rookie Donnel Pumphrey essentially replacing Barner in the rotation. If Mathews is truly gone, Smallwood will have another chance to establish himself as the top 'back in the Eagles' committee.
Halapoulivaati Vaitai
What Was Said: "Like Seumalo, Vaitai's most likely role in 2016 is as a backup, albeit on the outside.
"Vaitai won't be tabbed to be the Eagles next right tackle. Unless he shows great promise this year, expect Vaitai to be considered an above-average backup who would be serviceable should a long-term injury to one of the starters occur."
What Has Changed: After struggling in his first NFL start, Vaitai settled down and was a suitable replacement for the suspended Lane Johnson. He still doesn't look the part of an above-average starting right tackle, but having Vaitai as a versatile backup would be a huge luxury for a team with an aging left tackle and a right tackle one misstep away from being suspended for an entire season.
However, unless the Eagles add a high-quality tackle prospect in next year's draft, Vaitai remains the leader to be the next right tackle, however uninspiring that may be.
Blake Countess
What Was Said: "With Eric Rowe, Nolan Carroll, Leodis McKelvin, Ron Brooks and JaCorey Shepherd on the roster, there isn't much room to hide a developmental prospect. Countess could be stashed on the practice squad for 2016 in hopes he can develop into a decent corner to replace one of the veterans on a short-term contract.
"At just 5'9", 184 pound, Countess doesn't exactly have the measurables to be a starting corner. He has the potential to be a nickel corner and a contributor on special teams. Countess also has experience at safety, so he could be developed into a third safety who specializes in pass coverage."
What Has Changed: Countess was cut from the Eagles on the final day of training camp and eventually latched on with the Los Angeles Rams' practice squad. He was active for the Rams final five games of the season and even racked up two starts.
Jalen Mills
What Was Said: "In the seventh round, Mills was an absolute steal as far as talent is concerned. His character questions are what made him fall this far, but as a seventh-round pick, there isn't much risk involved. With his skills, a team could snatch him up if the the Eagles try to stash him on the practice squad.
"Just like a lot of these late round picks, the Eagles can hope that Mills will develop into an above average reserve player who contributes on special teams and can fill in at safety and the slot corner spot."
What Has Changed: Mills really developed over the course of 2016 and is now slotted to start at cornerback in 2017. He has the swagger Jim Schwartz covets and can develop his technique into becoming an above-average starter.
At this point last year, Mills was still regarded as a long-shot safety prospect. His development has really been one of the best things about the Eagles past year.
Alex McCalister
What Was Said: "He has impressive quickness off the ball and can either develop on the practice squad or if he really impresses in training camp, he could be used as a speed rusher off the edge in passing downs, but that scenario seems like a long shot.
"McCalister's best shot at sticking with the Eagles is as a situational pass rusher. He was used in a similar role at Florida and if he can keep his nose clean and polish up his pass-rushing instincts, he could be a successful role player for the Eagles."
What Has Changed: McCalister was "injured" during training camp and spent all of 2016 on the injured reserve. Although it's hard to change the outlook on his career without seeing him play, adding Derek Barnett and Chris Long to the Eagles collection of edge rushers will make McCalister's chances of making the 53-man roster difficult.
His ceiling is still a rotational pass-rusher, but a year or two on the practice squad still seems necessary for his development.
Joe Walker
What Was Said: "Walker fills an immediate need as a backup inside linebacker, something the Eagles didn't have on the roster before drafting him. He fills an immediate need as a backup inside linebacker, something the Eagles didn't have on the roster before drafting him.
"Walker can use his speed to be a decent special teams contributor. However, him making the team in 2016 is based solely on the lacking of any other options. If the Eagles start to prioritize the linebacker position in the future, Walker could find himself on the wrong side of the cut downs."
What Has Changed: Walker was actually injured during training camp, tearing his ACL. The Eagles ended up signing Stephen Tulloch to replace him, but he's now retired and Walker is back to full health.
Once again, the Eagles haven't done much to address their linebacking corps, with the exception of drafting Nathan Gerry. Walker was a Schwartz favorite in 2016 and should be Jordan Hicks's top back up in 2017.
