The season is approaching. The editorial staff of DNA of Sports invites you to take stock of the strengths and weaknesses of the 32 franchises. Today, the Philadelphia Eagles 2023. You can find all the presentations by clicking on this link.
After an encouraging 2021 season, the Eagles wanted to prove the future was bright with Jalen Hurts. Mission accomplished, even if last season ended cruelly with a defeat in the Super Bowl.
Nick Sirianni and his men go on the hunt, with the goal of the title. The executives of the workforce are almost all back, but Philadelphia will have to, to avoid the hangover after the Super Bowl, absorb the departure of the two coordinators and find a new breath.
Last season: 14 wins – 3 losses, Super Bowl finalist
Movements in the off-season
Notable arrivals: Nicholas Morrow (LB), Marcus Mariota (QB), Rashaad Penny (RB), Kentavius Street (DT), Terrell Edmunds (S), Olamide Zaccheaus (WR), Dan Arnold (TE), Dennis Kelly (T) , Josh Andrews (OL), Zach Cunningham (LB), D’Andre Swift (RB), Justin Evans (S),
Re-signings: Jalen Hurts (QB), Brandon Graham (EDGE), Fletcher Cox (DT), Boston Scott (RB), Lane Johnson (T)
Draft: Jalen Carter (DT), Nolan Smith (EDGE), Tyler Steen (T/G), Sydney Brown (S), Kelee Ringo (CB), Tanner McKee (QB), Moro Ojomo (DT), Mekhi Garner (CB) /UDFA), Eli Ricks (CB/UDFA)
Notable losses: CJ Gardner Johnson (S), Javon Hargrave (DT), Robert Quinn (EDGE), Gardner Minshew (QB), Miles Sanders (RB), Andre Dillard (T), Isaac Seumalo (G), Ndamukong Suh (DT ), Linval Joseph (DT), TJ Edwards (LB), Kyzir White (LB), Marcus Epps (S)
Symbol of the success of the Eagles, the two biggest departures took place on the bench, since the two coordinators became coaches in other franchises. In attack, Brian Johnson replaces Shane Steichen, a choice in continuity for the former quarterbacks coach. The defensive choice is more risky, since it is Sean Desai who arrives at the controls to replace Jonathan Gannon, with a much larger project.
Offensively the Eagles have only lost two starters, Isaac Seumalo and Miles Sanders. On the line it is Cam Jurgens who recovers the position of guard, the former second round must replace Jason Kelce in the long term but will first have to prove his value in guard. Miles Sanders will be replaced by a committee made up of Kenneth Gainwell, former first round D’Andre Swift and the talented but fragile Rashaad Penny. Suffice to say that the attack should have a level equivalent to 2022.
Defense is a much larger project. The two incumbents left for the position of safety and linabacker, and the master of the middle of the line Javon Hargrave took the direction of San Francisco. For the safety position, Reed Blankenship seems to have a head start, but the second starting position is open: two external recruits (Terrell Edmunds and Justin Evans) and a rookie (Sydney Brown), everyone can have a chance. . At the level of linebackers hopes rest on the sophomore Nakobe Dean, the former Georgia must become the master of the middle. He will have at his side two veterans, Nicholas Morrow and Zach Cunningham, enough to help him in his development. Finally the position of defensive tackle will experience a great upheaval, since it is the pair Jalen Carter / Jordan Davis who will have to take over.
The strong point(s): the attack carried by Jalen Hurts
The Philadelphia Eagles offense in 2023 is similar to that of 2022, and there is no doubt that it will be a strength of this team again this season, at all levels. Jalen Hurts has become one of the best quarterbacks in the league in one season, and he will have the opportunity to confirm in a system made for him. Like last season, Hurts will be able to count on the best offensive line in the league, which really has no weaknesses. Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson are in the best players at the position, and Jordan Mailata/Landon Dickerson are Pro Bowlers. The arrival of Jurgens is the only question, but it’s always less sensitive when the change is inside.
THE playmakers are not left out, with one of the best duo of receivers in the league (AJ Brown / Devonta Smith) and tight end Dallas Goedert. The three players have accumulated 3,394 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2022. The committee of runners is less flamboyant, but includes talented players like D’Andre Swift or Kenneth Gainwell.
In defense, the pass rush is in essence the strength of this squad. Author of 70 sacks in 2023, the group was further strengthened with the draft of Nolan Smith. Haason Reddick is still there, as are Josh Sweat and Brandon Graham. If the inside of the line keeps a good level, no one has the chance that the opposing quarterbacks will still have the opportunity to eat grass. What can make this defense special is that if the pass rush is the main danger, cornerbacks are also a strength. Darius Slay and James Bradberry are not the youngest, but have evolved into 2022 as top 15 cornerbacks in the league. If they keep this level, they will continue to punish the opposing quarterback.
The weak point(s): looking for a punter
As mentioned in the movements, there are two positions which are the clear weaknesses of this workforce: linebacker and safety. If Nakobe Dean becomes the dominant player he can become, that’s it, but it’s a big gamble for a player who went down in the third round for medical reasons. The group lacks talent, and the running defense can suffer greatly.
The safety position is an even bigger job, with questions about each player. The potential for Reed Blanckenship is great (see below), and Sydney Brown may become a viable alternative, but these are just projections with no certainty. In the event that both groups underperform, it leaves a huge hole in the middle of that defense, which can be fatal against a team that has a good tight end and a good receiver in the slot.
Last fault, the post of punter. Once promising, Arryn Siposs simply didn’t play at the NFL level last year and was relegated to the practice squad. The Eagles have still not chosen a punter today, which is worrying when you know the importance of special teams in the NFL.
X Factor: Reed Blankenship (S)
If the lines are often considered by the front office every season, this is far from being the case for the safety position. The good surprise of the 2022 season came from undrafted player Reed Blankenship. An excellent tackler with an above-average football IQ, he is far from being an athletic phenomenon, especially in terms of speed.
The only player in the position with experience with the Eagles among the starting contenders, Blankenship will be under the pressure of having to become the boss of this squad from the start of his career. Without an effective safety, the Eagles defense risks being punished quickly in an NFL where the inside players have become faster and more physical than ever. Without having the ambition to become Brian Dawkins, the sophomore must remove the last doubts concerning his ability to become a good safety in the NFL.
Player to watch: Jalen Carter / Jordan Davis (DT)
Considered almost unanimously as the best potential of this draft, Jalen Carter owes his fall to 9th place in the draft to extra-sporting problems. Without history since his arrival in Philadelphia, he will have the heavy task of becoming Fletcher Cox’s successor. He will have by his side his former teammate from Georgia, Jordan Davis, who must replace Javon Hargrave.
It is therefore this duo who will have the heavy task of cementing a line which has many threats on the wings, but which has been able to be fragile against the run in 2022 (17th in the NFL). Philadelphia is not used to playing rookies a lot, but the urgency will force Nick Sirianni to review this policy for the position of defensive tackle. Davis will have to become the control tower, Carter the dynamite that blows up the opposing line.
2023 Philadelphia Eagles Schedule
@Patriots, Vikings, @Buccaneers, Commanders, @Rams, @Jets, Dolphins, @Commanders, Cowboys, BYE, @Chiefs, Bills, 49ers, @Cowboys, @Seahawks, Giants, Cardinals, @Giants
The audio preview of the podcast
In summary
In addition to having to face tough opponents in 2023, the Eagles must face one of the longest curses in the NFL: since 2004, no one has won the NFC East Division twice in a row. It’s simply an NFL record.
With one of the best offense in the league on paper, Philadelphia will have to rely on the young guard of Georgia to allow the defense to pass a course. The National Eastern Conference remains weaker than the American Conference, and any result other than another Super Bowl appearance will be seen as a loss by fans.
