2013 NFL Offseason: Philadelphia Eagles
Draft Grades, Season Previews, Team Needs, Free Agents
Philadelphia Eagles (Last Year: 4-12)
2013 NFL Draft Grade: B
Please note that the overall grade is not an average of all the individual grades. Other things are taken into account like team needs and goals.
Goals Entering the 2013 NFL Draft: The Eagles spent a ton of money on their defense this offseason. It's now time to address the offense. Philadelphia has no long-term quarterback on the roster (Nick Foles is an awful fit for Chip Kelly's offense) and the right tackle position needs to be addressed so that Todd Herremans can move back inside to his natural guard position. A receiver must also be added, given that both DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin are both overrated and unreliable.
2013 NFL Draft Accomplishments: Chip Kelly hasn't been transparent at all this offseason. He's kept his mouth closed about which offensive and defensive schemes he plans on running. This secrecy is pretty arrogant and unnecessary, but we may finally have our answer. Well, at least half of it.
Bennie Logan is a poor fit for a pure 3-4, so the Eagles might be moving to a 4-3 Under look. Logan would be a solid fit as the three-technique in that formation. Fletcher Cox would play the five, with Isaac Sopoaga manning the nose. That's not bad. The offensive system, however, still remains a mystery. Matt Barkley would have been a poor fit in Chip Kelly's offense back in Oregon, so if the Eagles plan on starting him in the near future, they need to feature more of a West Coast look. Having said that, I'm not sure Barkley is in the Eagles' long-term plans. Had they viewed him as an eventual starter, they would have selected him in the second or third round. The fourth round is designated for backups (see Kirk Cousins), so the offense that Kelly plans on using is still up in the air, as far as I'm concerned.
As for the other picks, Lane Johnson was a reach at No. 4. He has great potential, but is way too raw to take that early. Zach Ertz provided much more value in the second round. My favorite selection was in the seventh with Jordan Poyer. He has second-round talent, but fell because of speed concerns.
Overall, the Eagles had a solid draft. They made some improvements on their roster, but there are still plenty of holes and no long-term solution at quarterback.
2013 NFL Draft Individual Grades:
4. Lane Johnson, OT, Oklahoma: C Grade
This is a great scheme fit for the Eagles. Lane Johnson is the most athletic tackle in this draft, so he'll fit in well in Chip Kelly's high-tempo offense. However, Johnson is incredibly raw; he has just one year of left tackle experience and just two seasons of tackle experience period. He was considered a fringe first-round prospect a few months ago for a reason. However, there's no denying his upside, and he could eventually replace Jason Peters at left tackle.
Follow @walterfootball for updates.
35. Zach Ertz, TE, Stanford: B+ Grade
Chip Kelly loves his tight ends. He signed James Casey, but he needed another one because Brent Celek has been a huge disappointment recently. Zach Ertz is the top tight end available by far and No. 35 is the right range for him. Like the Jaguars though, you have to wonder what Philadelphia plans to do at quarterback.
67. Bennie Logan, DT, LSU: B- Grade
I guess the Eagles will be running a 4-3 Under scheme because Bennie Logan is an awful fit in the 3-4. Logan is very talented, but he hasn't lived up to his potential. If Philadelphia can get him to play to his ability, he'll form quite an interior pass-rushing tandem with Fletcher Cox.
98. Matt Barkley, QB, USC: C- Grade
This makes very little sense. Matt Barkley does not fit Chip Kelly's offense at all. In fact, he's a lot like Nick Foles, so I don't understand why the Eagles would make this selection. It appears as though the Eagles will utilize the West Coast offense under Kelly, so why even bring Kelly in as your head coach? I like the value with Barkley, but this pick is pretty illogical.
136. Earl Wolff, S, N.C. State: B- Grade
I didn't want to mention to this before the draft because I didn't want to ruin his draft stock, but I know that one team took Earl Wolff off their board because they deemed him "too stupid," that he didn't even know what schemes his college team ran. There's no questioning his talent level though. From a pure skill perspective, he probably should have been a second-round pick.
212. Joe Kruger, DE/DT, Utah: B Grade
This pick makes a ton of sense. Joe Kruger fits the draft range in the seventh round and fills a need for defensive line depth. Chip Kelly is familiar with Kruger, having coached against him in the Pac-12.
218. Jordan Poyer, CB, Oregon State: A+ Grade
Save for Zach Ertz and Lane Johnson, Jordan Poyer could easily be the best player that the Eagles drafted. He should have been a second-round pick, but fell because of speed concerns. Going against him in the Pac-12, Chip Kelly knows how skilled Poyer is.
239. David King, DE, Oklahoma: C+ Grade
I didn't have David King as a draftable prospect, but we're now in the compensatory picks of the seventh round, so that doesn't matter. King is a good fit in the 3-4 as a five-technique, much like Joe Kruger.
*** 2013 NFL TEAM NEEDS BELOW COMMENT BOARD ***
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Danny
05-04-2013
02:23 am
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Not a fan of this draft. Lane Johnson is just too risky a pick for me. I know he fits the scheme, but his high draft status had more to do with workouts than his play on the field. That's always a red-flag for me. No doubt it could be a great pick if he's left tackle material, but risky.
Zach Ertz is a good player, but the Eagles had enough tight ends. I thought that pick would have been better used adding some 3-4 personnel. Matt Barkley is a waste of a pick. Nick Foles has always been a better player than him, so I don't understand it.
Get real
05-01-2013
10:17 pm
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You aren't that big of a deal to ruin someone's draft stock
Shawn
05-01-2013
12:48 pm
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Just checked and Barkley was drafted a whopping ten picks later then were the 49ers drafted Joe in 1979. Your a joke Walt.
Shawn
05-01-2013
12:45 pm
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Its funny walt you say franchise QBs are drafted in the first two rounds but Tom Brady a first ballot hall of famer was a 6th rounder. Steve Young and Kurt Warner were not drafted. And Joe Montana perhapes the greatest QB to ever play the game was a late 3rd round pick who would have gone in the fourth now because of expansion teams and compensatory picks. I think your arm chair ownership work might be better suited elsewhere champ.
No Credibility Walt
05-01-2013
12:39 am
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So Chip kelly should probably invite you over to his house and let you in on what offense he plans to run and give you his personal playbook.
Unfortunately you wouldn't even be able to understand even one play on aforementioned playbook.
No Credibility Walt
05-01-2013
12:37 am
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"Chip Kelly hasn't been transparent at all this offseason. He's kept his mouth closed about which offensive and defensive schemes he plans on running. This secrecy is pretty arrogant and unnecessary"
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
No Credibility Walt
05-01-2013
12:35 am
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"I didn't want to mention to this before the draft because I didn't want to ruin his draft stock."
Like you mentioning anything would lead to the downfall of a prospect. #nocredibility Walt's business plan make random stupid jokes and use great SEO skills to promote his site. Hire outside help to do real film work, then copy said work of outside help but make sure to make some distinct changes to differentiate.
nighthawk
04-29-2013
04:04 pm
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I've been saying all along Chip Kelly isn't stupid and isn't going to run exactly the same offense he ran at Oregon. It's going to be a WCO with extreme up tempo and some new wrinkles that Kelly will put in. That's why he hired Pat Shurmer as his O.C. But you guys kept insisting the Eagles offense would be exactly like the Ducks offense. Wrong. Barkely fits what they'll do, so does Nick Foles. Dixon is familiar with Kelly. To me, the odd man out is Vick, who gets perpetually injured. And Poyer was the steal of a draft with a lot of steals.
Man Walt Has Cred
04-29-2013
02:34 pm
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Yeah, Wolff is "too stupid"... "Earl Wolff: Rating: 1. Exceptional. Excellent intangibles. Young man of high character. Grades out very high in terms of football character and intelligence. Graduated with a degree in sport management in December, 2011 (in three-and-a-half years)"
Another spot on eval Walt. Your Eagles hatred is so stupidly apparent.
Joey
04-29-2013
03:59 am
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Wow i disagree completely with your draft assament of the eagles draft. The Eagles really needed oline help. Lane Johnson was a solid pick he may even be the best of the tackles in a few years. This helps the eagles improve in two spots RT and RG by having Todd move back to guard. In 2 3 years he should have no problem moving to LT. Chip Kelly loves his TE's he will have alot of fun with Zach Ertz. I dont why you say Bennie Logan is a poor fit for the 3-4. He is just 1 inch shorter and 2 pounds lighter than Star Loutuloui. Chip Kelly has already said he plans on having Bennie put on a few pounds. If he puts on 10 pounds i dont see no problem why he cant play the NT. This year Issac Soapoaga will play 1st and 2nd down then Bennie comes in for some pass rush on 3rd down. Matt Barkley is a great pick. the Eagles didnt have a QB for the future Foles sucks. If you dont have a QB you better keep drafting one till you get one. He could turn out to be a franchise QB or its just a wasted 4th round pick big deal. Chip has also stated many many many times he will run his offense to the strength of his players. He hired Billy Davis as OC. Billy runs the west coast offense. So i dont understand how he dosent fit. earl wolff is a solid pick i havent seen or heard anything that he is stupid. His coach called him the leader of his defense. The eagles had no depth on their Dline so they had to pick up a few players Krugar and King. One of them could even start this year all they have to do is beat out Cedric Thornton. I didnt care to much for Jordan poyer. i think he was just a name the media was throwing around. i watched 3 games from him and i seen nothing special Not big not fast, not physical in run defense, missed tackles. He just seems like a solid 4th CB. But its a 7th round pick.
JM
04-28-2013
11:16 pm
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Good call on Wolff, this is what ESPN said about his character and intelligence:
Earl Wolff: Rating: 1. Exceptional. Excellent intangibles. Young man of high character. Grades out very high in terms of football character and intelligence. Graduated with a degree in sport management in December, 2011 (in three-and-a-half years). His mother, Sharon Davis, is a master sergeant in the National Guard. Davis was deployed in Kuwait, with the 113th Sustainment Brigade, for a year. She worked in logistics and acquisitions
highboy
04-28-2013
07:58 pm
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Walt: Chip has stated repeatedly to the media over and over again, that he's not running what he ran at Oregon. Period. I'm not sure why you can't get this through your thick skull. Also, just because Barkley was originally a target in the draft doesn't mean an NFL head coach doesn't think he can start. When he was he was available, he traded UP to get him. You don't do that for the hell of it.
Also, you are not important enough or relevant enough to ruin the draft stock of one single player coming out in the draft.
Eagles
04-28-2013
06:53 pm
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Dear Walt,
You think chip's secrecy is arrogant and unnecessary? So are you saying he should send a playbook to every team in the nfl and say hey guys this is what we are running? Based off who he's signed and drafted it would seem he's not and I repeat not, running the exact same defense and offense he ran in college. He has an o-coodinator who is familiar with a west coast style offense and he now has 2 qbs on his team that fit in a west coast offense so any person who has common sense would realize that maybe they might have an offense similar to a west coast offense. I think chip knows what he's doing seeing that he's a head coach and all, so maybe you should chill with the whole chips and idiot for drafting or signing a certain player. After all he knows exactly what he's doing and who he needs and you don't. You don't have to be in love with chip and what he's done. Just don't say he's stupid for getting a someone who doesn't fit his system when you don't know what his system is. And I don't think the eagles were planning on drafting a qb this year. I think they saw Barkley fall all the way into the 4th round and decided to take him because he was too great of a value to pass up. I didn't know there was a rule that designated back up qbs to the 4th round and that a team had to draft a qb in the first 3 rounds if they saw him as an eventual starter. I'm sorry but that makes no sense. I'm actually surprised you haven't come up with one of your adorable nicknames for chip yet although I'm sure that's coming.
Tastykake
04-28-2013
05:48 pm
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You did not want to ruin Wolff's draft stock? LOL, I'm out...this site has jumped the shark, holy ego.
Caveman
04-28-2013
03:47 pm
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It's ashame that Walt clearly has a dislike for the Eagles. This has to be the 10th time I've heard him talk about Chip Kelly's system in college. Clearly he's not running exactly that, but most likely a mixture of that and pro style. Barkley was a home run pick. Eagles deserve an A- IMO.
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Season Summary:
It's the end of an era. Andy Reid is finally gone, so Eagles' fans can stop complaining about terrible play-calling, poor clock management and ridiculously boring press conferences. Nick Foles showed promise down the stretch, so Philadelphia would be best served bringing in a coach and personnel to help develop the young quarterback.
Offseason Moves:
Team Needs:
- Quarterback: Chip Kelly has decided to keep QB Eagles No. 7, which means that quarterback is the team's No. 1 need. Look for a second-day selection to be used on a signal-caller. Signed Dennis Dixon
- Two Cornerbacks: Remember how great Philadelphia's cornerbacks were considered after the team signed Nnamdi Asomugha and traded for Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie? Well, Asomugha was released because he was so brutal in 2012, while DRC, an impending free agent, lived up to his nickname, "Doesn't Really Care." The front office will have to obtain two new cornerbacks. Signed Cary Williams and Bradley Fletcher
- Defensive End: Cullen Jenkins was released, so the Eagles will have to find a new 3-4 end. Sharrif Floyd make senses at No. 4. Traded for Clifton Geathers
- Nose Tackle: The Eagles are moving to the 3-4, but they have no nose tackle. Jesse Williams would be a good fit atop Round 2. Signed Isaac Sopoaga
- Right Tackle: The Eagles had major issues on their offensive line. The return of Jason Peters would fix things on one side, provided he's close to 100 percent coming off an Achilles tear. Repairing the right side of the line could be solved by drafting Luke Joeckel No. 4 overall, which would allow Todd Herrmans to move to a more natural guard position.
- Safety: Two safeties might be needed, but Colt Anderson was serviceable down the stretch, so Philadelphia might be able to get away with him as one of the starters. Nate Allen, however, was horrific this past year. Signed Kenny Phillips and Patrick Chung
- Rush Linebacker: Does Trent Cole make sense for the 3-4? If not, Philadelphia will have to find someone who does. Dion Jordan would fit if the Eagles utilize the 4-3 Under scheme. Signed Connor Barwin; traded for Emmanuel Acho
- Inside Linebacker: The Eagles should find some help in the linebacking corps of their new 3-4. Signed Jason Phillips
- Center: The Eagles had no answer at center when Jason Kelce was lost for the season with multiple torn knee ligaments. There's no guarantee that Kelce will be at full strength next year, so adding a veteran backup would be a good idea.
- Tight End: Brent Celek had trouble with drops and separation this past season. He has regressed. Signed James Casey
- Wide Receiver: Both DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin always seem to be injured. Some depth could be added. Traded for Arrelious Benn; signed Ifeanyi Momah
- Punter: Mat McBriar ranked dead last among starters in net punting. Signed Donnie Jones
2013 NFL Free Agent Signings:
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Kenny Phillips, S, Giants. Age: 26. 
Signed with Eagles
Kenny Phillips is one of the better safeties when healthy, but he missed most of 2012 with a knee injury.
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Connor Barwin, DE/OLB, Texans. Age: 26.
Signed with Eagles
Connor Barwin is coming off a very disappointing 2012 campaign. After registering 11.5 sacks in 2011, he managed just three this past season. He's talented, so there's a good chance this was just a fluky year.
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Donnie Jones, P, Texans. Age: 33.
Signed with Eagles
Donnie Jones ranked 13th in net punting during the regular season.
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Cary Williams, CB, Ravens. Age: 28.
Signed with Eagles
Cary Williams had some rough outings in 2012, but mostly played solidly at corner for the Ravens, holding down the fort after Lardarius Webb was lost for the year.
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Patrick Chung, S, Patriots. Age: 26.
Signed with Eagles (3 years)
Patrick Chung missed several weeks in 2012 with multiple injuries, but he performed well when he was healthy, particularly in run support.
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James Casey, FB/TE, Texans. Age: 28.
Signed with Eagles
James Casey was a pretty pedestrian lead blocker for Arian Foster this season, but he served as an effective pass-catcher, logging 34 receptions for 330 yards.
- Isaac Sopoaga, NT, 49ers. Age: 31. -- Signed with Eagles
- Bradley Fletcher, CB, Rams. Age: 27. -- Signed with Eagles
- Felix Jones, RB, Cowboys. Age: 26. -- Signed with Eagles
- Dennis Dixon, QB, Ravens. Age: 28. -- Signed with Eagles (2 years)
- Jason Phillips (RFA), OLB, Panthers. Age: 27. -- Signed with Eagles (2 years)
Philadelphia Eagles Free Agents:
Salary Cap: TBA.
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Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Eagles. Age: 27.
Signed with Broncos (1 year)
DRC stands for Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. It can also be short for "doesn't really care." Rodgers-Cromartie is a very talented cornerback, but he's not all there mentally. He's still young, so maybe he'll get it together, but teams pursuing him this offseason should be careful.
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Nnamdi Asomugha, CB, Eagles. Age: 32.
Signed with 49ers (1 year)
Aside from perhaps Darrelle Revis, Nnamdi Asomugha was viewed as the league's best cornerback when he signed a 5-year, $60 million contract right after the lockout. He was just mediocre in 2011 and then downright awful this past season, so it was a no-brainer that Philadelphia cut him, given that he was owed $15 million in 2013. Ranking Asomugha is a bit of a challenge because there's always a chance he could improve elsewhere. He won't be in Raider form, but perhaps he can become a decent starter again. On the flip side, there have been reports that Asomugha lost his passion for the game. He'll be 32 in July, so there's a good chance we'll never see the pre-Eagle Asomugha again.
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Cullen Jenkins, DE/DT, Eagles. Age: 32.
Signed with Giants (3 years, $8 million)
Cullen Jenkins just turned 32, but he did a good job of being an interior pass-rusher this past season. He struggled a bit in run support though.
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Colt Anderson (RFA), S, Eagles. Age: 27.
Colt Anderson is not very physically gifted, but he's an instinctive safety who performed well for the Eagles down the stretch. He's also great on special teams.
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Derek Landri, DT, Eagles. Age: 29.
Signed with Buccaneers (2 years, $3.25 million)
Derek Landri is a solid rotational defensive tackle who can put pressure on the quarterback occasionally.
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Demetress Bell, OT, Eagles. Age: 29.
Demetress Bell struggled in Howard Mudd's system, so maybe he can rebound elsewhere. Still, he's a big injury risk, as he's endured knee problems throughout his career.
- King Dunlap, OT, Eagles. Age: 27. -- Signed with Chargers
- Mike Patterson, DT, Eagles. Age: 30. -- Signed with Giants
- Akeem Jordan, OLB, Eagles. Age: 27. -- Signed with Chiefs
- Jake Scott, G, Eagles. Age: 32.
- Darryl Tapp, DE, Eagles. Age: 28. -- Signed with Redskins
- Evan Moore, TE, Eagles. Age: 28.
- Trent Edwards, QB, Eagles. Age: 29.
- Mat McBriar, P, Eagles. Age: 34.
2013 NFL Free Agent Positions:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K/P | FA Grades
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - May 25
2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 22
2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 21
Charlie's 2014 NFL Mock Draft - May 20
NFL Picks - Feb. 3
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