Eagles schedule: Reasonable expectations for Jonathan Gannon’s defense

The Eagles will improve their sack total from 29 in 2021 to about 40 in 2022.

At the close of the first 18-week, 17-game season in NFL history, the Philadelphia Eagles registered 29 sacks, just a tad over one per contest. Only one team had fewer, the Atlanta Falcons. They produced a paltry 18 quarterback takedowns on the season.

Philly knew immediately that they’d have to bring in guys that could get to the quarterback. They did that by adding Haason Reddick on March 9th.

Reddick has registered 23.5 sacks throughout the past two seasons. No one will complain if that translates to Jonathan Gannon’s scheme this season.

Philly’s pass rush will also be assisted by the return of one of their leaders in the locker room and on the field, Brandon Graham. His follow-up to his first Pro Bowl season didn’t go as planned.

An Achilles tear forced him to miss all but two games during the most recent NFL campaign, but he’s back, and, in his own words, he has “no limitations”.

Graham’s recent injury was an anomaly. He’s been relatively healthy for most of his career, and he’s notched eight sacks or more in three of the four seasons spanning from 2017 to 2020. Don’t discount the advantage of having great teammates playing at the defensive line’s interior (Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave, Milton Williams, and Jordan Davis).

A nice rotation inside will keep the veterans and young guys fresh all season while creating extra opportunities for teammates. Philly’s D-line and second level will be scary good. Increasing the sack total from 29 to 40 shouldn’t be an issue.