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NFC East: Sizing Up The Philadelphia Eagles After Their Free Agent Gains And Losses

By Jacob Camenker

Dec 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) scrambles away from Washington Redskins inside linebacker Will Compton (51) at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) scrambles away from Washington Redskins inside linebacker Will Compton (51) at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots defensive end Chris Long (95) against the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; New England Patriots defensive end Chris Long (95) against the Atlanta Falcons during Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive Changes

While the offense has greatly changed for the Eagles, the defense is looking to be a pretty similar unit. On the defensive line, the team chose to part ways with Connor Barwin. He was a poor fit for the scheme they were running, so they released him and he went to the Rams who will run a 3-4 scheme under Wade Phillips.

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The Eagles were able to replace Barwin with Chris Long who spent last year with the New England Patriots. Long is no longer the dominant pass rushing threat he once was, but he should be a solid rotational guy in Philadelphia. He can possibly platoon with Vinny Curry at the end position to keep both players fresh.

Elsewhere on the defensive line, Bennie Logan left the team to join the Kansas City Chiefs. Logan was a terrific run stuffing threat, but the Eagles once again acquired a solid replacement. They traded for Timmy Jernigan, a former Ravens second rounder. Jernigan is a solid run stopper with good pass rushing ability, but he fell out of favor in Baltimore. Jernigan should be a fine replacement for Logan and it could end up being a lateral move.

The biggest losses that the Eagles endured came in the secondary. Leodis McKelvin was released due to his contract while Nolan Carroll signed with the division rival Cowboys. Neither player was much more than a decent No. 2 cornerback at this point in their respective careers, but the Eagles lack talent at the position. They added Patrick Robinson in free agency to be a No. 2 cornerback, but they need to make sure they get him help.

The Eagles will almost certainly draft a player or two in the 2017 NFL Draft. If they can add a quality corner, then they will have a chance to have a good enough defense to make an impact in the NFC East.

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