Do The Philadelphia Eagles Only Have Two Elite Starters?

Pro Football Focus recently released their “Depth Chart Updates” for each NFL team. They projected the depth chart and labeled each player based on the site’s grading system. While the grading system is questioned by many, there’s no denying the due diligence that “PFF” does when it comes to breaking down each and every player in the NFL. But what did they have to say about the Philadelphia Eagles projected depth chart?

According to their grades, the Eagles only have two “elite” level starters. Those players would be left tackle Jason Peters and left guard Evan Mathis. Given the current situation involving Mathis and his current contract with the Eagles, the team could very well be left with just one of their “elite” starters when the season begins.

The level below “elite” according to the site is a “high quality” starter, and the Eagles have six players that fall in that category. DeMarco Murray and Jason Kelce on offense as well as Fletcher Cox, Brandon Graham, Brandon Boykin and Kiko Alonso on defense. There’s no argument there from me but I think you could make a strong case that Murray, Kelce and Cox should all be considered “elite” players.

Here is how Pro Football Focus projected the Eagles’ depth chart on both offense and defense, as well as some notes:

"– The offensive line in Philadelphia is a dream scenario for new Eagles running back DeMarco Murray. He walks into a situation where his offensive line is as good as, if not better than, it was in Dallas. The left side of the line is where they are strongest, with both Jason Peters and Evan Mathis consistently among the best at their position. Consider this about Mathis, he missed 7 games in 2014, but still finished the season as our second highest graded offensive guard.– Replacing LeSean McCoy with Murray gives the Eagles a running back of a similar talent level, but one that they feel fits what they want to do offensively much better. What’s impressive though, is that in Murray, Darren Sproles and Ryan Mathews, the Eagles have depth at the position, with Sproles a dangerous weapon as a receiver and on special teams too.– On the defensive line Bennie Logan has shown himself to be a solid, capable nose tackle, but the Eagles are strongest on the line at both end spots. Fletcher Cox was our sixth highest graded 3-4 defensive end, while on the other side the combination of Cedric Thornton, who stands out against the run, and Vinnie Curry, who does his damage as a pass rusher, works well too.– Both safety spots are interesting for the Eagles. At one spot Malcolm Jenkins has found life easier in Philadelphia, with a slightly different role allowing him to excel in his new home. The current favorite to start next to him is former cornerback Walter Thurmond, but his change of position and relative lack of playing time in the last three years makes him somewhat of unknown quantity."

The site did a very good job in terms of projecting which players will likely start, although there are some questions. Listing Miles Austin as a starting wide receiver over Riley Cooper or Josh Huff is weird. Austin will likely be the team’s fourth or fifth option, especially on the outside so it doesn’t make much sense to me. Also, grading Jordan Matthews as just an average player is a bit of a snub, I’d certainly consider him a “good” starter, at least.

On the defensive side of the ball, there are more questions. Listing DeMeco Ryans as the starter alongside Alonso instead of Mychal Kendricks is interesting. There have been different pairings of the three working together during OTAs so that will certainly be something to watch for. But Kendricks starting alongside Alonso would open up endless possibilities for defensive coordinator Bill Davis.

I know they’re going strictly by their grading system but there’s no way that Connor Barwin is just an “average” player, that’s just disrespectful. He’s possibly the most important player on the Eagles’ defense and can do it all on the field, at a very high level. Maybe they expect his stats to take a dip in 2015 but that shouldn’t affect his grade heading into the season. There’s a reason he went to the Pro Bowl and was named by his peers as the 58th best player in the entire league.

Either way, it’s nice to take an early glimpse at the Eagles’ depth chart as a whole. Of course there are plenty of injury concerns at multiple positions but if the entire team can stay healthy, for the most part, the team should have a very successful season in 2015. Hopefully they’ll have a couple more “elite” players on their depth chart next year, maybe with a shiny new ring on their fingers as well.

Next: Walter Thurmond Receiving Praise From Many At Safety

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