Philadelphia Eagles Defense: Built For The Future

By Jonathan Page | Dec 12, 2014

Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The Philadelphia Eagles defense have had a great year so far. I’d argue that the defense have had a better year than the offense. Basic defensive statistics will always make the Eagles defense look bad because they are on the field so long so you cannot judge them by basic statistics. Despite being 24th in the league in yards allowed, the defense is only allowing 5.3 yards per play, putting them 9th in the league.

The best thing about the Eagles defense is their youth. They have a number of good young players who will hopefully stay together for a long time. Looking at each positional group shows you how much young talent the Eagles have on their roster.

Eagles Defensive Line:

The Eagles line is full of young talent, Fletcher Cox is only 23 years old and he’s already a stud.

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Cox will be getting a long term extension this offseason.

is 24 years old and

Cedric Thornton

is 26 years old, both have had great seasons and should be with the Eagles for a long time. The Eagles starting defensive line averages 24.3 years and they’re already playing at a high level, incredible.

Vinny Curry is 26, his long term future is up in the air with the Eagles as he may want to sign for a team who can offer him a starting job in the offseason. However, he’s an Eagles fan and hopefully he wants to stay here for a few more years. Beau Allen has contributed this season too and he’s only 23 years old.

Eagles Linebackers:

Mychal Kendricks has been incredible this year and he’s only 24 years old, the Eagles should reward him with a long term deal in the offseason. Connor Barwin plays like a 10 year pro but he’s actually only 28. He can still do an important job for this team for a few more years. If anything, Barwin is having his best year of his career at 28.

First round pick Marcus Smith II is only 22 but he’s contributed nothing all year, hopefully he can develop into a starter but I’m not betting on it. Brandon Graham is only 26 but he may decide to leave in the offseason if another team can promise him a starting role. Graham has been excellent this year and I’m sure the Eagles will try to keep him, hopefully they can offer him Trent Coles starting job and he’ll stay. Cole may be coming to the end of his Eagles career at 32.

Eagles Secondary:

The cornerbacks aren’t young, Cary Williams is 29 and Bradley Fletcher is 28. However, If the Eagles wanted to keep them around, they could still play for a couple more years. I expect the Eagles will move on from at least one of them however.

Brandon Boykin is only 24 and the Eagles really can’t afford to lose him. He could leave at the end of this year and join a team who offer him a full time starting role outside. I think the majority of teams will want him to play inside and not outside though because of his size. Hopefully the Eagles can extend him.

Malcolm Jenkins is only 26 despite playing for the Saints for 5 years, he can start for the Eagles for a long time. His play has declined the last few weeks but he’s having a great season. Nate Allen has had a solid year too and he’s only 27, hopefully the Eagles will keep him around as a backup if they try to upgrade the position.

What This Means:

The Eagles defense can stay together for a really long time. The only starter right now who physically may struggle to continue is Trent Cole. There is so much young talent on the Eagle front 7 its quite unbelievable. Hopefully the Eagles can keep their role players around like Graham and Curry too as they are great pass rushers.

The average age of the Eagles defense (using their base defense) is only 26.5 years. That’s a pretty impressive number. I’m excited to watch this Eagles defense grow and hopefully become even more dominant than they are right now.

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