MIght the Philadelphia Eagles take six defensive ends into the season?
If history is any indication, we can probably expect the “Birds” to walk into 2020’s regular season with six defensive ends on the active roster. We could probably bet money and win if we wager that Brandon Graham and Derek Barnett are the starters, but after you place a checkmark by their names, the theories about everyone else vary depending on who you talk to.
Nobody’s stepped up to distance themselves from the rest of the pack, but someone will have to. This team said goodbye to both Michael Bennett and Chris Long in consecutive seasons based on the theory that Barnett was ready to take the baton. Unfortunately, we’re all still waiting on a “breakout season” that has never come despite the fact that we’ve been told every year is “the year”.
Philly’s going to have to get more production from the rest of their defensive ends in the coming season. It seems as though Josh Sweat is the man closest to staking his claim as the third man in the rotation, but he’ll need to prove that again in camp.
That leaves Genard Avery, who the Eagles added at the trade deadline in 2019, Joe Ostman, who made quite the name for himself in training camp, and the guys who really haven’t produced anything. That’s when we get into Shareef Miller, Daeshon Hall, and Casey Toohill. Here’s a guess at where everyone falls.
One side: 1. Brandon Graham, 2. Josh Sweat, 3. Shareef Miller, 4. Daeshon Hall, 5. Matt Leo
The other side: 1. Derek Barnett, 2. Genard Avery, 3. Joe Ostman, 4. Casey Toohill
Don’t be surprised if the Eagles add another defensive end as we approach the regular season. There are a lot of guys here but no there isn’t any real sizzle.