Five remaining questions for the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason
WIth Training Camp about to start for the NFL in a few weeks, there are questions that follow each team. Like I did with the last season, I will be doing the Top 5 Biggest questions for every team heading into Training Camp. First off I will start with the Philadelphia Eagles who represented the NFC during Super Bowl 57
1. Who Will Replace Miles Sanders at RB as the starter?
One of the big losses the Eagles had during free agency was at running back with the departure of Miles Sanders. So the question is, Who will be the starter and replace Sanders? This seems like an easy answer, but thinking about the answer, it could vary.
The Eagles did acquire D’Andre Swift via trade during the 2023 NFL Draft at a nice price, but he was inconsistent during his time with Detroit. Maybe a change of scenery will help, but time will tell.
The Eagles did bring in Rashaad Penny via free Agency, but he just can’t stay healthy. Kenneth Gainwell is very intriguing and showed flashes, but he needs to be more consistent. Now they do have Boston Scott as well in the backfield, but it is a shame he can’t face the New York Giants for 17 weeks. Plus Scott has more value on special teams. It will be interesting to see who will be the starting running back for Week 1.
2. Who will be the Number 3 receiver on the team?
This team is so talented on offense, but excluding running back there is still a question mark at who the number 3 receiver is on the team. Its obvious AJ Brown is the #1 receiver and Devonta Smith is the #2 receiver and that #3 role is wide open. To me there are three main candidates.
The first is Quez Watkins as I thought he was going to break out for the Eagles last season. However, he disappointed, only catching 33 receptions for 354 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns. His biggest lowlight was that drop he had in the Super Bowl that probably would have gotten the Eagles inside the goal line or even scored a touchdown. Greg Ward has been a veteran piece for the Eagles the past few seasons and could steal the role.
The Eagles also signed Olamide Zaccheaus who was sneakily underrated on the Falcons last season. While his impact is mainly on special teams, he did do well with the Falcons as well with 40 receptions, 533 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns. I mean excluding WR Drake London the Falcons receiver core was terrible, but Zaccheaus did a good job and he could take the #3 role.
It can’t be ruled out that the Eagles could sign another player. After all they are a superbowl contender and have become a popular option for ringchasers in the NFL to sign with.
3. Which Jalen Carter will the Eagles get?
The Philadelphia Eagles have been impressive trying to assemble the University of Georgia’s defense. They drafted three players in the 2023 NFL Draft including Kelee Ringo, Nolan Smith and especially Jalen Carter.
Now it is obvious that Carter is arguably the most talented defensive prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft. However there is a different side with Carter as he has had notable off the field problems. I really wonder what type of player the Eagles will get with Carter.
Will Carter be able to transition his talent from College into the NFL? Will Carter’s off the field issues continue? Will Carter have an immediate impact or become a slow learner? There is only one way to find out.
4. Did the Eagles do enough to replace both Chauncey “C.J.” Gardner-Johnson and Marcus Epps at safety?
The big loss on defense was at safety as the Eagles could not resign Chauncey “C.J.” Gardner-Johnson and Marcus Epps to new contracts. The Eagles did not have the cap space to bring them back and thus they became free agents. With Gardner-Johnson signing with the Detroit Lions and Epps signing with the Las Vegas Raiders.
So, the Eagles had to find a way to replace them and the way that they did that was by signing Terrell Edmounds and Justin Evans. Both have shown flashes including Justin Evans, but they were not the most consistent. In the case of Terrell Edmonds, to me he is the most overrated safety in the NFL today.
It will be interesting to see how both do when there competing against K’vonn Wallace and Reed Blankenship who could be a breakout candidate.
5. Can the Eagles yet again represent the NFC in the Super Bowl?
It was tough coming up with questions regarding the Eagles. So, I went with the obvious question regarding if they can represent the NFC in Super Bowl 58. After all they are the favorites from many already to represent the NFC. Especially as they are building a Georgia North Style offense drafting Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith, and Kelee Ringo on defense.
The free agents they lost were not as big as they were able to bring back most players that were expected to be free agents. It will be very interesting to see if the Eagles with the additions they have made will yet again represent the NFC in the playoffs.
So those are the 5 questions I had regarding the Philadelphia Eagles. Do you agree? Let me know in the comment sections and if you had a question regarding the Philadelphia Eagles for the 2023 season.
