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 will pay off.
Reddick has had 23.5 sacks the past two seasons with Carolina (11 last season) and Arizona (12.5 in 2020) from the linebacking position. The Eagles, who finished 31st in sacks last season with 29, no doubt can use that production. That’s 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 most important on the offensive line. And yes, left tackle Jordan Mailata’s role is critical towards protecting quarterback Jalen Hurts’ blindside.
But Johnson, at right tackle, 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 for Mailata 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, who was a disaster at right tackle the one time he tried it in 2019 (he was benched at halftime); veteran backup Le’Raven Clark (if he makes the roster); or Jack Driscoll, who has mostly played 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 until he got hurt; 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.
Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @Mfranknfl.
