Philadelphia Eagles: Competition increasing as rookie camp looms
By Chuck Abel
Competition to intensify with defensive players added during the draft
The Philadelphia Eagles addressed their offensive needs primarily through free agency. They addressed their defensive needs primarily through the draft. They also traded with the Baltimore Ravens for defensive tackle Tim Jernigan and signed free agent defensive end Chris Long. But it will be the results of the draft that determine if the Eagles are better than the squad that ranked 13th in total defense last season.
The competition for jobs on defense is about to get underway on Friday.
The battles on the defensive line are likely only for depth
On the surface, the defensive line is set. First round draft pick Derek Barnett will anchor one side of the line. Brandon Graham will anchor the other side. Fletcher Cox and Jernigan will start at tackle. Primary backups at end will be Long and Vinny Curry, who has to prove his contract value during camp. Draftee Elijah Qualls could take one tackle spot. Injured Beau Allen, Destiny Vaeao and free agent rookie Charles Walker will compete for another spot at tackle. Howie Roseman keeps talking up Alex McCalister, a seventh-round pick from 2016 who spent last season on injured reserve. Unfortunately for Marcus Smith, it looks like his days are numbered.
Linebacker remains an area of concern
Jordan Hicks and Nigel Bradham will be two of the three starters at linebacker. Mychal Kendricks, as the roster is currently configured, is likely the third starter. We won’t know until after June 1 if Jim Schwartz has a vision on how to use Kendricks. Recently retired Stephen Tulloch took a lot of defensive snaps last year, so there is opportunity for someone to seize. The Eagles drafted Nathan Gerry for special teams, and claimed Steven Daniels from the Washintgon Redskins. Can Joe Walker return from injury and claim a spot? Can either Don Cherry or Kamu Grugier-Hill show enough to make the 53-man squad? Are any of these guys good enough to start? Najee Goode is strong on special teams, so he may continue on the roster, but he was cut once last year. The Eagles may make roster moves deep into camp in August at this position.
The Secondary competition will be fun to watch
Malcolm Jenkins and Rodney McLeod will start at safety. That’s all that is certain in the secondary. The Eagles were better with Ron Brooks last year than without him, so he has an advantage as a slot corner. Jalen Mills, Patrick Robinson and Rasul Douglas will battle for the two starting corner jobs. Sidney Jones will likely begin the season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, so he won’t be eligible to return until after Week 6. It’s possible he could miss the entire season, but that remains to be confirmed. Chris Maragos should return as one backup safety because of his special teams role. Jaylen Watkins and Terrence Brooks will battle for the other backup safety spot. The other corners, Dwayne Gratz, Aaron Grymes and C.J. Smith, will have to shine to entice the Eagles to keep another defensive back.
Any other rookie free agents who could compete
Corey Clement and Tyler Orlosky have opportunity to make the team as rookie free agents on offense. Walker is likely the only one on defense who could make the 53-man squad. His struggles with depression and concussions caused him to be passed over at the draft, but he has the talent of at least a mid-round pick. The Eagles also reportedly signed two safeties, Randall Goforth and Tre’ Sullivan, a corner, Jomal Wiltz, and a linebacker, Marcus Oliver. None of these guys are likely to make the team, but will have chances to secure spots on the practice squad. We’ll know more after rookie camp, which begins this Friday.