Inside the Iggles
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4 Areas the Philadelphia Eagles will need to address in 2019

By Jordan Sutton

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 21: Corey Graham #24 of the Philadelphia Eagles is congratulated by his teammates after getting an interception during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 21, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 21: Corey Graham #24 of the Philadelphia Eagles is congratulated by his teammates after getting an interception during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 21, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – FEBRUARY 04: Brandon Graham #55 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after stripping the ball from Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots late in the fourth quarter in Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – FEBRUARY 04: Brandon Graham #55 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after stripping the ball from Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots late in the fourth quarter in Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Defensive Line

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This might not seem like an obvious need. If you look deeper though, it might be. First, there is no doubt that this is the strength of the defense and one of the better units on the team.

A deep rotation and pass rush helped Philly reach and win the Super Bowl. Unfortunately, one of the most important people in that rotation is set to become a free agent in 2019.

Here’s a deal that needs to be done and a look towards the future.

If Brandon Graham and the Eagles do not come to terms on an extension, then the need to draft an additional pass rusher increases.

Chris Long was contemplating retirement this year and we aren’t sure Michael Bennett will be available for the long-term. He’s good. He’s also entering his tenth season. Derek Barnett seems to be one of the long term answers and hopefully Josh Sweat continues to develop as well. The NFL is a league where you can never have enough pass rushers.

Fletcher Cox is obviously the linchpin of the defensive tackle position and Timmy Jernigan played exceptionally well in his first season in Philly. Jernigan’s coming off significant back surgery though. We won’t know how he has recovered until the pads come on.

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He signed an extension earlier this year so if he returns to form, no worries. If not, then the Eagles might have some issues. Haloti Ngata is a great depth option for this season. He can’t be seen as a long-term answer though. Destiny Vaeao and Elijah Qualls have both gotten some significant playing time. Not enough has happened to determine whether or not they are viable starters.

If the Eagles want to maintain their success, then they need to continue to balance their short-term goals with their long-term vision.

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