Inside the Iggles
FanSided

Ranking the Eagles’ 5 strongest position groups heading into 2017

By Frankie Matus

Dec 22, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox (91) against the New York Giants during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. The Philadelphia Eagles won 24-19. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox (91) against the New York Giants during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. The Philadelphia Eagles won 24-19. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham (55) and defensive end Fletcher Cox (91) tackle Cleveland Browns running back Isaiah Crowell (34) at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles won 29-10. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham (55) and defensive end Fletcher Cox (91) tackle Cleveland Browns running back Isaiah Crowell (34) at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles won 29-10. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive Line

A unit that was considered the best on the team last season is only going to get better!

All-Pros Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham gave opposing offensive coordinators nightmares in 2016. Cox recorded 6.5 sacks and 43 tackles while Graham had 5.5 sacks and 59 tackles.

This offseason, the Eagles looked to improve an already stout defensive line. Though the team said goodbye to Connor Barwin and Bennie Logan, they wasted no time replacing them. The Eagles acquired Timmy Jernigan from the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for a third-round pick. With the 14th pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Eagles selected Derek Barnett from the University of Tennessee. They also brought in a veteran presence in Chris Long during free agency. And let’s not forget about Vinny Curry and Beau Allen!

In many ways, Jernigan and Barnett are upgrades from Logan and Barwin. Jernigan has shown flashes of brilliance with the Ravens despite not being that suited for a 3-4 defense. Now that he is playing in a 4-3, his production will only improve.

Barnett was sacking machine at Tennessee, breaking former Eagles great Reggie White‘s school sack record. Given Jim Schwartz’s Wide 9 defense, Barnett should fit perfectly given his pass rushing ability.

To say that Eagles fans are excited about this defensive line group would be an understatement.

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