Philadelphia Eagles: Stock Up, Stock Down On Defense

Nov 2, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Philadelphia Eagles inside linebacker DeMeco Ryans (59) is carted off the field after being injured during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

It’s clear that the Philadelphia Eagles have made some major changes this offseason. Specifically because head coach Chip Kelly now has full control of all personnel decisions. His first move was trading star running back LeSean McCoy for linebacker Kiko Alonso. But other than that, Kelly has focused on fixing the team’s secondary heading into the 2015 season.

First, Kelly threw a huge chunk of money at the top cornerback on the free agent market, Byron Maxwell. The former member of the “Legion of Boom” brings much needed length, toughness and experience to Philadelphia’s secondary. But that wasn’t all in free agency, Kelly added two more players for help on the back-end in cornerback Walter Thurmond III and defensive back E.J. Biggers.

Then in the 2015 NFL Draft, Kelly spent five of the team’s six picks on the defensive side of the ball. Of course, three of the picks were on players in the secondary. Eric Rowe, JaCorey Shepherd and Randall Evans will all battle it out in training camp for snaps but each is versatile and it remains to be seen exactly where they’ll play in the Eagles’ defensive backfield.

It’s obvious that Kelly is trying to send a message to the team that the defense as a whole has to improve, specifically the secondary against the pass. But what do Kelly’s moves this offseason mean for players that were already on the roster? Here are a couple of player’s whose stock is either on the rise or has taken a hit heading into training camp.

Next: Stock Up: DeMeco Ryans, Inside Linebacker