Philadelphia Eagles Defensive Depth Chart

uDec 15, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; The Philadelphia Eagles defense looks on during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Eagles 48-30. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia Eagles Defensive Depth Chart

The Philadelphia Eagles have made a significant number of personnel moves this off-season. The fact that a new coach has overhauled the roster is nothing new to the NFL. Most thought head coach Chip Kelly would have made the majority of the roster moves in year one. But, he didn’t have the reigns of personnel then…

What we know so far is that Eagles players have performed well on offense under Chip Kelly. Meanwhile, the defense has been resistant to improvements. Yes, it’s had its share of bright moments. Yes, it’s had personnel turnover as well. But in 2015, for the second time in three years, the Eagles have separated themselves from nearly the entire starting defensive backfield and are starting over again.

The defensive line is intact, with Defensive ends Fletcher Cox and Cedric Thornton flanking nose tackle Bennie Logan. Rotating in are defensive ends Vinny Curry, Brandon Bair, and Taylor Hart, as well as nose tackle Beau Allen. The group is young, cohesive, and talented. In fact, this group is likely to be together a long time, as all are young and compliment one another well.

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The linebackers now show returning outside linebacker Connor Barwin pairing up with Brandon Graham. Inside linebackers will likely be Mychal Kendricks and Kiko Alonso, with rotatiing OLBs Marcus Smith and Bryan Brahman, and ILBs DeMeco Ryans, Emmanuel Acho, and Najee Goode. I’m not convinced that Ryans will not be the starter, with Alonso rotating in for either ILB slot, but for now we’ll list it as that. Outside linebacker will once more have a good year with Barwin and Graham terrorizing quarterbacks, and the inside has renewed depth despite both 2014 starters coming off serious injuries.

New cornerback Byron Maxwell will be paired with the winner of competition of Nolan Carroll, Brandon Boykin, and Walter Thurmond. The remaining two will be slot and dime defensive backs. There is plenty of reasons to be hopeful with the new assembly. With new defensive backs coach Cory Undlin, the team was committed to looking hard at the talent. Not surprisingly, the team not only allowed cornerback Bradley Fletcher and safety Nate Allen to leave uncontested in free agency, they also cut cornerback Cary Williams. While there is plenty to support the moves, neither Cary Williams nor Nate Allen had terribly bad statistics in the 2014 season.

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Finally, the safety position will find veteran Malcolm Jenkins paired with … hm… um…the vacancy formerly held by now Oakland Raider Nate Allen. So what is the plan?

Well, we have Chris Maragos, Ed Reynolds, Earl Wolff, Chris Prosinski and “The Osprey” Jerome Couplin III. We have a draft with few “starting calibre” prospects. We have the opportunity to sign un-drafted free agents following the NFL draft. And finally, we have the waiver wire to any player who is cut from an NFL team trying to reduce their roster. At the moment, the team has solid starters and depth at ten defensive positions.

Perhaps it’s the unfinished feel of the team that gives rise to one more deal. It remains to be seen.

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