Between now and the start of the new league year in March, TGS is providing brief summaries looking ahead at the offseason from the perspective of each NFL team. In this edition, we look at the Philadelphia Eagles.
2016 record: 7-9 — 4th place, NFC East
What’s new? They enter the offseason with Carson Wentz locked in as the starting quarter. This time last year it was supposedly Sam Bradford.
Projected salary cap space: $10 million — Only three teams have less money to spend.
Key in-house free agents: DT Bennie Logan, CB Nolan Carroll, G Stefen Wisniewski
Logan started 13 games and had 2.5 sacks. He’s not a star, but they’d miss having him next to Fletcher Cox inside. Backup Beau Allen isn’t as good. Carroll started all 16 games but struggled a fair bit and you get the feeling they’re looking for two new corners (Leodis McKelvin has already been released). Wisniewski is an experienced and versatile interior offensive linemen, but he’ll get starting money elsewhere.
Key needs: Cornerback in the biggest way on defense, wide receiver in the biggest way on offense.
Just check the tape on any Eagles game this season. Both are glaring.
Draft breakdown: A coin toss at the Combine will determine whether they pick 14th or 15th overall. It’s status quo beyond that.
Other potential priorities: They also might want to consider bringing in somebody to compete with Jason Kelce at center. He was terrible in 2016. And top backs Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles are both entering contract years.
Outlook: Most of their key cogs are locked up for years to come, which is something Howie Roseman loves to do. But are they good enough? Not a lot of wiggle room financially.
