The Eagles addressed several areas of perceived weakness following a surprisingly successful 9-8 season in 2021 that resulted in a playoff berth.
But that 31-15 loss to Tampa Bay in the wildcard round last Jan. 16 reinforced the reality that the Eagles were far from Super Bowl contenders.
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman addressed many of the most glaring needs during the offseason, whether it was through trades, free agency and the draft.
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Still, for the Eagles to become a championship-caliber team, many of the returning players have to take on significant roles. Here, then, are the rankings for the 9 players most critical to the Eagles’ success this season. They’re not necessary the best players, but those in position to be the most impactful.
Check back each day with a new entry until we get to No. 1 on July 26, the day the Eagles report to training camp:
No. 9, Marcus Epps, safety
For non-Eagles NFL fans, the mention of Epps might elicit a shoulder shrug, or a collective, “Who?”
But Epps is expected to start at safety this season, even after the Eagles signed veteran Jaquiski Tartt last month to go along with veteran returnee Anthony Harris. At the very least, it’ll be a three-way rotation with Epps playing a significant role. Both Tartt and Harris are 30 years old, and both are signed to low-cost, one-year contracts.
As last season went along, Epps, 26, worked in more and more with Harris and Rodney McLeod. Epps, however, has started only eight games in three seasons, and he set a career high last season by playing 48% of the snaps. Typically, starting defensive backs play at least 90% of the snaps.
Can he take that next step? The Eagles’ success in the secondary could depend on it.
“He’s played at a high level the times that he’s played for us, and you have to be able to do that over the long-haul, snap after snap,” defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon said during the spring.
No. 8, Haason Reddick, rush linebacker
Reddick will go a long way towards determining if Gannon’s strategy to play multiple defensive fronts, essentially adjusting to the strengths and weaknesses of the Eagles’ opponent will pay off.
Reddick has had 23.5 sacks the past two seasons with Carolina (11 last season) and Arizona (12.5 in 2020), but from the linebacking position. The Eagles, who finished 31st in sacks last season with 29, no doubt can use that production. That explains why the Eagles made Reddick, who’s 6-foot-1, 240 pounds, their first free agent signing, giving him a three-year deal worth as much as $45 million.
Reddick has the speed to not only blow past an offensive lineman, but drop into coverage.
That will enable the Eagles to use a five-man defensive line in passing situations, something the Eagles were unable to do effectively last season. Last season, the Eagles mostly used Genard Avery at that rush linebacker spot. He had 1 sack in 12 starts.
Reddick is a big improvement. And if he’s successful in helping the Eagles pressure the quarterback, then the secondary will be that much better as well.
No. 7, Lane Johnson, right tackle
One might expect the left tackle position to be the Eagles’ most important on the offensive line. And yes, Jordan Mailata’s role is critical towards protecting quarterback Jalen Hurts’ blindside.
But there are valid reasons as to why Johnson is more vital than Mailata to the Eagles’ success this season.
For one, the Eagles win with Johnson in the lineup. As Johnson enters his 10th season, the Eagles are 66-46-1 when he plays, 12-20 when he doesn’t. Johnson missed three games last season to deal with a mental health illness. The Eagles went 1-2 without him.
Secondly, the Eagles have a proven backup at left tackle in Andre Dillard, their first-round pick in 2020. There’s a much steeper dropoff if Johnson were to miss games. It would either be Dillard, veteran backup Le’Raven Clark (if he makes the roster), or Jack Driscoll, who has played more at guard.
Finally, Johnson will have a new starter at right guard next to him. It could be Isaac Seumalo, who’s moving from left guard; Driscoll, who started six games there last season as an injury replacement for Pro Bowl veteran Brandon Brooks; or second-round pick Cam Jurgens.
Johnson has long established himself as one of the top right tackles in the NFL. He’ll have to be again this season.
No. 6, Jordan Davis, defensive tackle
Why are the Eagles counting so much on a rookie who’s playing behind two veteran Pro Bowl players at defensive tackle?
After all, Fletcher Cox was selected to six straight Pro Bowls from 2015-20, and Javon Hargrave was named to his first Pro Bowl last season.
But look beyond Davis’ massive potential as the Eagles’ first-round pick, not to mention his size (6-foot-6, 336 pounds) and speed (4.78 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine).
Cox is 31 years old, and both he and Hargrave are in the final year of their contracts. Cox has had just 3.5 sacks in two of the last three seasons. Hargrave, 29, could price himself out of returning.
So it’s practically guaranteed that Davis will be a full-time starter next season. That could actually happen sooner. Ideally, the Eagles would want Davis to play a significant amount in the rotation this season order to maximize Cox’s effectiveness. If Davis can’t adapt, then it’s possible Cox could wear down as the season goes along.
Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @Mfranknfl.
