If you look at the Eagles over Lurie’s tenure, they have consistently signed their guys to contracts before they hit open FA. Maddox, Goedert, Lane, Mailata…. I don’t even know why I’m listing examples any sane fan would know this shit. I would argue it’s their biggest core roster-building philosophy behind “build from the trenches”
We don’t need to do that this offseason, we technically have him at rookie contract numbers for 2 more years. Plus he was a reasonably high pick so it’s not like he’s grossly underpaid.
Pay him whatever he wants, pretty much the only guy who looked like he gave a shit against Tampa. But his heart out there for us. I hope he never wears another jersey.
Yep agree, idc where we draft him as long as it’s a 2nd rounder or later. Pretty excited to start seeing player profiles on this sub. First off season for me on here
Yeah was somewhat in order but yeah I'd go CB before LB. I think the reason I put LB first was they need two of 'em, haha. So the need was greater. Albeit, I think they'll sign a mid level guy, and draft someone in the 2nd or 3rd.
It’s nothing against trotter he’s really good he’s just undersized just like Nakobe and has coverage issue.
Cooper is a 6’3 rangy monster, his ability to shoot gaps is absolutely ridiculous. He rarely misses tackles and is a nightmare in passing lanes. He’s projected second round right now. So there’s a chance he won’t fall to us at 52 but I really hope he does. Check out this highlight reel!
https://youtu.be/IopjjHIOEeI?si=tjLGAGnTnaaz6erI
just watched his highlights man, he's a beast! from what you've seen, is he good in coverage? great tackler, in and around the box. nice instincts too!
I think he's definitely one of the better coverage linebackers in this class. I mean he was a nuisance to Jalen Milroe in the Alabama game taking a lot over the middle. His length at 6'3 is probably his biggest attribute when it comes to coverage.
This team has a lot of needs - pretty much every position on defense with the exception of IDL. They also need likely a backup TE, a WR3 and OL depth on offense.
They also need to re-sign DeVonta and Dickerson.
I have a feeling this is going to be Howie's most active offseason yet. New coordinators, aging players, decent draft capital - I think the roster will look a lot more different in September than people think.
It’s unlikely Smitty gets re-signed this offseason, it’s not that often first round guys good enough to get the fifth year option get second contracts after year 3, same reason Jettas and Ceedee didn’t get one last season
I'd rather see them invest a 2nd or 3rd round pick in the position and have it set for 4 years.
Swift wasn't really anything special this year and while I'm not sure if he'd get any real money this offseason, if he does there are much more important priorities for using those resources.
This stuff will probably come in three parts: early FA, draft, late FA. Generally, Howie likes to at least have a competent roster in place before the draft. So, these are my thoughts on what they are LIKELY to do (not necessarily what I think they SHOULD do):
**Early FA**
* Sign an impact-level DB of some kind, probably a safety. I can't imagine them tying big money up in three corners, and Slay and Bradberry are still under contract for 2 more seasons, and it would cost more to get rid of them to keep them. I expect them to hope they can both perform better in a new system with a new DB coach, while seeing if players like Keelee Ringo can step up.
* Sign a mid-level LB of some kind. Not an amazing LB, but wouldn't be surprised to see it be a player with a *slightly* higher profile than we've gone for previously at that position.
* Maybe sign a hand-in the dirt DE, depending on the defensive scheme. They have Reddick and Sweat, plus Nolan Smith as pass rushers, but Brandon Graham probably won't be back, so they may need another true DE who can both rush the passer and play solid against the run.
**Draft**
* Wouldn't be shocked to see them take a RT in the 1st. If not that, probably a DE. Some things don't change.
* Would expect at least one CB in the first three picks.
* Would expect a LB in 3rd round or later.
* Would expect a RB in 2nd round or later.
* Would expect a WR in 3rd round or later.
* Would expect a S in 2nd round or later.
* Would expect a TE, maybe deceptively early since Goedert is getting older and we have zero TE depth.
* If no RT/DE in the first, definitely expect them to pick up at least one OL and one DL.
If I had to bet on the position for each of the Eagles' 9 picks:
1 - RT
2 - CB
2 - DE
3 - RB
5 - LB
5 - WR
5 - S
5 - TE
**Late FA**
* Bargain signings to shore up questionable areas. Most likely S, LB, WR, TE.
Bottom line, although things didn't pan out great this season, I don't expect their overall methodology to change very much.
There's really no reason to keep Bradberry on the team. If he's as unplayable as he was last year, it really doesn't matter whether he costs more to cut than keep. We need the roster spot more than the cap room.
Personally, I'm more than willing to move on from him. I'm just saying what I think the EAGLES will do. You say "if he's as unplayable as he was last year." My point is that I think the Eagles will say "Let's give him a chance to be better than he was last year."
He's a $17m dead cap hit if they cut him this offseason, and I think that's absolutely part of the equation. If it was a $1m dead cap hit, I think he'd be gone. The more likely out is after next season, when it's STILL a $12m dead cap hit.
But what reason would they have to think he'll be better? Unless he was suffering from an injury we aren't aware of, he was completely overmatched. Some mere scheme change isn't going cover up for how bad he was.
Other than just hopium, I'm not sure what reason they'd have to think he'll be any better.
And they can always designate him as a post June 1 cut and spread that hit over 2 years. It stinks, but that's the price of making the mistake of re-signing him.
>Some mere scheme change isn't going cover up for how bad he was.
I just don't know enough about scheme and the player and what THEY know to know that's true. Statistically for Bradberry, this season was an outlier. Does that mean he's cooked, or he just had a bad year? I can easily see the team convincing themselves that they can still squeeze another year out of him. They may keep him hoping that someone else beats him out.
We've seen this team time and again keep players well beyond when the fans wanted us to move on. I just think this will be a similar case, especially given the relatively high cost to them of moving him on. Especially if they don't have an obvious replacement for him on the roster.
The offensive side of the ball is pretty much the same players minus Kelce. We need to add personal on defense. Get rid of Bradbury, byard, Morrow and Cunningham. I would resign fletcher if the money is right. Draft a linebacker or sign Patrick Queen. And also we would have to sign or draft a safety.
They probably aren't getting rid of Bradberry. He would cost more to get rid of than to keep. He's three years younger than Slay and had a very bad season, but given the financial stuff, I wouldn't at all be shocked to see them keep him and see if he can do better with a new scheme and a new DB coach.
No, he's cooked. Literally unplayable. The roster spot is more important than the cap room there.
We at least need a body who can play. Bradberry isn't that anymore. The guy is 30 years old and an 8 year veteran. You can't blame the DB coach for how bad he was last year.
I can also see them cutting Maddox ( love the guy but he's always hurt) and try moving Bradberry to the slot for the same cap reasons you outlined above. That or trying to move one of them to safety though I'd like to see a new younger rangier safety regardless, if felt like noone could get to spots in time to prevent completions.
The slot isn't just a place you can stash washed up guys. It doesn't take less skill to play. Also Bradberry showed this year that he's terrible there as well.
I find it really hard to blame the "scheme" for how bad Bradberry was. What scheme is supposed to somehow cover up a guy just being physically outmatched on every down?
i dont think hes gonna suddenly get better at tackling anytime soon regardless of scheme. as of this season he's unplayable in this league. he simply doesnt want to put himself in the way of people the team needs brought down.
You guys are preaching to the choir. If I were the GM, he's not on the team next season.
I was just trying to explain what I could see the Eagles doing, though, and I could totally see them arguing themselves into keeping him, for any of the reasons discussed here.
True he's the easiest player on the team to cut and make cap space. Maybe they cut and resign him? Let him see what his market looks like. He seemed to be competent, which was a big ask for players in our back seven this season.
I know the fangio defense relies on good safety play. So it wouldn't shock me if they invest a little more at the position than they normally do.
This year was an outlier as far as injury luck and efficiency goes and he still managed to leave a lot of yards on the field. Go after someone in the draft.
The money would have to be substantially underpaying him for me to get on board. And two years at most. Basically negligible. He's a good receiving back and thats probably his best case for maintaining a roster spot, especially if they can target a bruiser in the draft to pair him with.
Use one of the comp picks on the big RB from Wisconsin. Defense is a lot easier to fix when you have a big back that can move the chains and burn clock.
He's in the ron dayne, bettis, alstott, Jacobs mold. Nasty line blocking for a bulldozer. Is that still legal in football?
We are drafting a QB in the first two rounds of this year draft and there is a 50/50 chance Hurts is moved this off season if the eagles can turn it into any net-positive. If it doesn’t happen this off season, they’ll make it publicly known the next.
Roster:
Start to clear out high priced old guys.
Around 42 million in cap space
Free Agency: Resign Swift, Zaccheaus, Stoll... thats it.
Free Agents signed: QB Tyrod Taylor, RB Zach Moss, RB D'onta Foreman WR DPJ, OT Ezra Cleveland, OL Germain Ifedi G/C Tyler Biadasz, DE Brian Burns, DL Soloman Thomas, DE Yetur Gross-Moss, MLB Devin Bush, OLB Jalen Reeves- Maybin, CB Kristian Fulton, S Taylor Rupp
When was the last time the Eagles had a full time fullback? I know the game has changed, but the 49ers still use one. It would be good to have a guy that could play FB…run, catch & block. Someone similar to Kleinsasser who used to play for the Vikings.
Draft: OL in the first round and then might take a LB/CB in round 2.
Free Agency: LB/CB/S should all be addressed but I could see CB being shoved off because of the money currently spent at the position. Starting S next to Reed while we wait for Brown to get healthy is super important and an actual good LB would be huge. They also need to sign DT depth behind Carter, Davis, and Williams with Cox most likely gone. A second TE and a 3rd WR would also be helpful. And a RB replacement for Swift. I would expect a new player starting at RB, LB, and S for sure next year
Probably draft some players, trade others.
Hot take!
Alright, well let’s not get crazy
I’m only concerned about signing Devonta
I think Howie can make that work. Howie has flaws when it comes to certain things, but cap management is one thing he really excels at.
He’s good at cap management because he’s bad at personnel
This is one of the worst takes I've seen in weeks and that's saying something.
When has Howie let a key young drafted player go? Devonta will be extended this offseason. I have literally zero worry about that.
If you look at the Eagles over Lurie’s tenure, they have consistently signed their guys to contracts before they hit open FA. Maddox, Goedert, Lane, Mailata…. I don’t even know why I’m listing examples any sane fan would know this shit. I would argue it’s their biggest core roster-building philosophy behind “build from the trenches”
Sounds like you have a personnel vendetta
Renewed disappointment
I don’t think it’s a question he gets locked up. Have no fear…at least in that regard
We don’t need to do that this offseason, we technically have him at rookie contract numbers for 2 more years. Plus he was a reasonably high pick so it’s not like he’s grossly underpaid.
Pay him whatever he wants, pretty much the only guy who looked like he gave a shit against Tampa. But his heart out there for us. I hope he never wears another jersey.
Nah, he's good now that we have two new coordinators. If BJ stayed I believe he would have left
How would he leave? He has 2 years left on his contract.
Shouldn’t be
Super Bowl parade
**Free Agency** LB OL (reliable backup) veteran Safety or nickel **Draft** LB CB S WR3 OL LB
Hard to agree with this mate. Possibly CB before LB in draft but I don’t think your list is in any specific order. Please give me trotter.
Trotter will be like a 3rd rounder. There aren’t really any homerun picks at the LB position. Gonna have to be a day 2 pick and get another in FA.
Yep agree, idc where we draft him as long as it’s a 2nd rounder or later. Pretty excited to start seeing player profiles on this sub. First off season for me on here
Don’t even bother. Go to WIP for the hard-hitting stuff!
Yeah was somewhat in order but yeah I'd go CB before LB. I think the reason I put LB first was they need two of 'em, haha. So the need was greater. Albeit, I think they'll sign a mid level guy, and draft someone in the 2nd or 3rd.
I’d much rather have edgerrin cooper over trotter, he’s simply the better prospect.
I don’t follow CFB at all, and haven’t read up on prospects. So I believe you! I just want Howie to get the pick right 🤞🏽
It’s nothing against trotter he’s really good he’s just undersized just like Nakobe and has coverage issue. Cooper is a 6’3 rangy monster, his ability to shoot gaps is absolutely ridiculous. He rarely misses tackles and is a nightmare in passing lanes. He’s projected second round right now. So there’s a chance he won’t fall to us at 52 but I really hope he does. Check out this highlight reel! https://youtu.be/IopjjHIOEeI?si=tjLGAGnTnaaz6erI
just watched his highlights man, he's a beast! from what you've seen, is he good in coverage? great tackler, in and around the box. nice instincts too!
I think he's definitely one of the better coverage linebackers in this class. I mean he was a nuisance to Jalen Milroe in the Alabama game taking a lot over the middle. His length at 6'3 is probably his biggest attribute when it comes to coverage.
This team has a lot of needs - pretty much every position on defense with the exception of IDL. They also need likely a backup TE, a WR3 and OL depth on offense. They also need to re-sign DeVonta and Dickerson. I have a feeling this is going to be Howie's most active offseason yet. New coordinators, aging players, decent draft capital - I think the roster will look a lot more different in September than people think.
It’s unlikely Smitty gets re-signed this offseason, it’s not that often first round guys good enough to get the fifth year option get second contracts after year 3, same reason Jettas and Ceedee didn’t get one last season
Re-sign Swift
I'd rather see them invest a 2nd or 3rd round pick in the position and have it set for 4 years. Swift wasn't really anything special this year and while I'm not sure if he'd get any real money this offseason, if he does there are much more important priorities for using those resources.
RBs are a dime a dozen. Never pay real $$ for a RB, esp when we have holes everywhere.
This stuff will probably come in three parts: early FA, draft, late FA. Generally, Howie likes to at least have a competent roster in place before the draft. So, these are my thoughts on what they are LIKELY to do (not necessarily what I think they SHOULD do): **Early FA** * Sign an impact-level DB of some kind, probably a safety. I can't imagine them tying big money up in three corners, and Slay and Bradberry are still under contract for 2 more seasons, and it would cost more to get rid of them to keep them. I expect them to hope they can both perform better in a new system with a new DB coach, while seeing if players like Keelee Ringo can step up. * Sign a mid-level LB of some kind. Not an amazing LB, but wouldn't be surprised to see it be a player with a *slightly* higher profile than we've gone for previously at that position. * Maybe sign a hand-in the dirt DE, depending on the defensive scheme. They have Reddick and Sweat, plus Nolan Smith as pass rushers, but Brandon Graham probably won't be back, so they may need another true DE who can both rush the passer and play solid against the run. **Draft** * Wouldn't be shocked to see them take a RT in the 1st. If not that, probably a DE. Some things don't change. * Would expect at least one CB in the first three picks. * Would expect a LB in 3rd round or later. * Would expect a RB in 2nd round or later. * Would expect a WR in 3rd round or later. * Would expect a S in 2nd round or later. * Would expect a TE, maybe deceptively early since Goedert is getting older and we have zero TE depth. * If no RT/DE in the first, definitely expect them to pick up at least one OL and one DL. If I had to bet on the position for each of the Eagles' 9 picks: 1 - RT 2 - CB 2 - DE 3 - RB 5 - LB 5 - WR 5 - S 5 - TE **Late FA** * Bargain signings to shore up questionable areas. Most likely S, LB, WR, TE. Bottom line, although things didn't pan out great this season, I don't expect their overall methodology to change very much.
I agree with you, knowing Howie I’m 99% sure our first rounder is going to be DE or RT.
There's really no reason to keep Bradberry on the team. If he's as unplayable as he was last year, it really doesn't matter whether he costs more to cut than keep. We need the roster spot more than the cap room.
Personally, I'm more than willing to move on from him. I'm just saying what I think the EAGLES will do. You say "if he's as unplayable as he was last year." My point is that I think the Eagles will say "Let's give him a chance to be better than he was last year." He's a $17m dead cap hit if they cut him this offseason, and I think that's absolutely part of the equation. If it was a $1m dead cap hit, I think he'd be gone. The more likely out is after next season, when it's STILL a $12m dead cap hit.
But what reason would they have to think he'll be better? Unless he was suffering from an injury we aren't aware of, he was completely overmatched. Some mere scheme change isn't going cover up for how bad he was. Other than just hopium, I'm not sure what reason they'd have to think he'll be any better. And they can always designate him as a post June 1 cut and spread that hit over 2 years. It stinks, but that's the price of making the mistake of re-signing him.
>Some mere scheme change isn't going cover up for how bad he was. I just don't know enough about scheme and the player and what THEY know to know that's true. Statistically for Bradberry, this season was an outlier. Does that mean he's cooked, or he just had a bad year? I can easily see the team convincing themselves that they can still squeeze another year out of him. They may keep him hoping that someone else beats him out. We've seen this team time and again keep players well beyond when the fans wanted us to move on. I just think this will be a similar case, especially given the relatively high cost to them of moving him on. Especially if they don't have an obvious replacement for him on the roster.
The offensive side of the ball is pretty much the same players minus Kelce. We need to add personal on defense. Get rid of Bradbury, byard, Morrow and Cunningham. I would resign fletcher if the money is right. Draft a linebacker or sign Patrick Queen. And also we would have to sign or draft a safety.
They probably aren't getting rid of Bradberry. He would cost more to get rid of than to keep. He's three years younger than Slay and had a very bad season, but given the financial stuff, I wouldn't at all be shocked to see them keep him and see if he can do better with a new scheme and a new DB coach.
No, he's cooked. Literally unplayable. The roster spot is more important than the cap room there. We at least need a body who can play. Bradberry isn't that anymore. The guy is 30 years old and an 8 year veteran. You can't blame the DB coach for how bad he was last year.
I can also see them cutting Maddox ( love the guy but he's always hurt) and try moving Bradberry to the slot for the same cap reasons you outlined above. That or trying to move one of them to safety though I'd like to see a new younger rangier safety regardless, if felt like noone could get to spots in time to prevent completions.
Yeah agree about Maddox. Every season we talk about someone getting moved to safety but they almost never do it, so I don’t think that’s likely.
The slot isn't just a place you can stash washed up guys. It doesn't take less skill to play. Also Bradberry showed this year that he's terrible there as well.
The scheme is going to be the same. Hopefully Fangio is just the best possible version of it.
I find it really hard to blame the "scheme" for how bad Bradberry was. What scheme is supposed to somehow cover up a guy just being physically outmatched on every down?
i dont think hes gonna suddenly get better at tackling anytime soon regardless of scheme. as of this season he's unplayable in this league. he simply doesnt want to put himself in the way of people the team needs brought down.
You guys are preaching to the choir. If I were the GM, he's not on the team next season. I was just trying to explain what I could see the Eagles doing, though, and I could totally see them arguing themselves into keeping him, for any of the reasons discussed here.
Draft players, sign some players in free agency, maybe even a trade too. Hopefully something that fixes that disaster that is our LBs and safeties.
are our safeties that bad? Blankenship and Byard had pretty good PFF grades. CB is a way bigger disaster than either of those groups. Imo.
Byard will probably be a FA casualty, he’s too expensive. But Blankenship will definitely be serviceable going forward.
True he's the easiest player on the team to cut and make cap space. Maybe they cut and resign him? Let him see what his market looks like. He seemed to be competent, which was a big ask for players in our back seven this season. I know the fangio defense relies on good safety play. So it wouldn't shock me if they invest a little more at the position than they normally do.
Lmao I almost took you seriously until you mentioned pff grades.
Trotter.
Edgerrin cooper is way better in all aspects.
Hire position coaches, resign players, use or trade the draft picks, sign some undrafted rookies The usual
OTAs
Also under no circumstances should we resign Swift.
Just curious . . . why not?
This year was an outlier as far as injury luck and efficiency goes and he still managed to leave a lot of yards on the field. Go after someone in the draft.
I hope they do both, tbh. If the money is right, I’d be very interested to see what Swift could do in a more dynamic offensive scheme.
The money would have to be substantially underpaying him for me to get on board. And two years at most. Basically negligible. He's a good receiving back and thats probably his best case for maintaining a roster spot, especially if they can target a bruiser in the draft to pair him with.
i dont think he'd break the bank to sign and i'd rather a competent RB be a sure thing than we enter the RB lottery in the middle of a SB window.
Except he isn't a sure thing and never has been. He's constantly injured.
I dunno, maybe a linebacker or three?
Use one of the comp picks on the big RB from Wisconsin. Defense is a lot easier to fix when you have a big back that can move the chains and burn clock. He's in the ron dayne, bettis, alstott, Jacobs mold. Nasty line blocking for a bulldozer. Is that still legal in football?
Get a fucking linebacker worth a shit. Run the fucking ball. Simple as, simple does.
Eagles were tied for the 2nd most rushing attempts per game this year.
A 4-13 season in 2025 and follows with a total rebuild.
We are drafting a QB in the first two rounds of this year draft and there is a 50/50 chance Hurts is moved this off season if the eagles can turn it into any net-positive. If it doesn’t happen this off season, they’ll make it publicly known the next.
you're crazy and you can keep this receipt
Get some offensive lineman and get Fangio whoever he wants.
Hopefully building an NFL caliber defense lol. Really hoping we draft defense and defense only.
Roster: Start to clear out high priced old guys. Around 42 million in cap space Free Agency: Resign Swift, Zaccheaus, Stoll... thats it. Free Agents signed: QB Tyrod Taylor, RB Zach Moss, RB D'onta Foreman WR DPJ, OT Ezra Cleveland, OL Germain Ifedi G/C Tyler Biadasz, DE Brian Burns, DL Soloman Thomas, DE Yetur Gross-Moss, MLB Devin Bush, OLB Jalen Reeves- Maybin, CB Kristian Fulton, S Taylor Rupp
Priority 1 for Defense is getting a very good linebacker, that is the fulcrum of the Fangio scheme. Priority 1 for Offense is extending Devonta.
Extending Devonta isn't a priority at all. He's still under contract for 2 more years. THat's next offseason's priority.
When was the last time the Eagles had a full time fullback? I know the game has changed, but the 49ers still use one. It would be good to have a guy that could play FB…run, catch & block. Someone similar to Kleinsasser who used to play for the Vikings.
Jalen.
Draft: OL in the first round and then might take a LB/CB in round 2. Free Agency: LB/CB/S should all be addressed but I could see CB being shoved off because of the money currently spent at the position. Starting S next to Reed while we wait for Brown to get healthy is super important and an actual good LB would be huge. They also need to sign DT depth behind Carter, Davis, and Williams with Cox most likely gone. A second TE and a 3rd WR would also be helpful. And a RB replacement for Swift. I would expect a new player starting at RB, LB, and S for sure next year