Schefter’s previous prediction for three Eagles
Following the 2010 NFL draft, Adam Schefter tweeted out predictions for three rookies. His tweet read “Final predictions: RB Ryan Mathews wins Off Rookie of Year, DE Brandon Graham wins Def Rookie of Year, QB Sam Bradford becomes a star.” Coincidentally all those players ended up as a part of the 2015 Philadelphia Eagles roster. We’re taking a look into how Schefter’s predictions fared, and offer updated predictions for the 2015 season.
Ryan Mathews
RB Ryan Mathews was drafted 12th overall by the San Diego Chargers, so expectations were immediately lofty. Mathews also had some big shoes to fill in San Diego because the fans in the west coast were blessed to witness one of the all time greats, in Ladainian Tomlinson, run wild week in and week out. The rookie out of Fresno State, Mathews, managed to suit up for 12 games in 2010, running the ball 158 times for 678 yards and seven touchdowns. While his 4.3 yards per game was acceptable as a rookie, it was not enough to solidify Schefter’s prediction.
Ryan Mathews career has been plagued by two things thus far; injuries and a fumbling issue. 2013 has been the lone year in which Mathews has been healthy for a full season. Last season he suffered an injury to his MCL and only played Six games. Although he has progressed, Mathews has had trouble holding on to the football. He has 15 total fumbles in his career, eight lost; averaging a fumble every four games played. However, he has still put up solid numbers when healthy. In 60 games played Mathews has accumulated 5,171 yards from scrimmage, averaging 4.4 yards per carry. While he has been no Tomlinson, he has had moments that verifies why the Chargers selected him with the 12th pick. What’s most impressive is that Mathews put up solid numbers behind an offensive line that is nothing to bloviate about; San Diego ranked 31st in offensive line rankings last season.
2015 prediction for Mathews
Mathews will have his most impressive season yet as an Eagle in 2015. That prediction may catch a lot of people off guard, as 2015 will be the first season that Mathews is not the starter. Philadelphia signed the leagues leading rusher, DeMarco Murray, days before signing Mathews. Both running backs will benefit from playing with one another. Mathews will have fresh legs while defenses will have to adjust to different running backs throughout the game. Also another reason Philly is an ideal fit for Mathews is Chip Kelly. Kelly’s health science program has helped maintain the Eagles as the healthiest team in the NFL. Chip is also very excited about the skill set Mathews is bringing to the city of Brotherly love.
Kelly stated “Yeah, Ryan has been a really good addition to us. [He’s a] big, physical running back. I don’t think you really know how actually big he is until you pull up next to him. He’s almost 230 pounds, and he can really run. He’s explosive. I think when he sees a hole, he can change gears and accelerate through it. We’re using him a little bit on kickoff return, I think, because of taking advantage of that speed. There are not a lot of guys that have that speed to go along with that size, but we’re real excited about having him. He’s worked extremely hard here since we got him. He came in right after we acquired him and has been working really hard.”
2015 Stats for Mathews (Prediction)
- 1100 yards from scrimmage
- 5 touchdowns
- 5.1 yards per carry
Brandon Graham
As soon as Ryan Mathews was taken off the board, Philly jumped up and traded for the 13th pick of the draft and selected DE Brandon Graham. Graham had a less than stellar rookie campaign producing 12 total tackles and three sacks. He played 13 games in 2010 and never managed to live up to his potential. Similar to Mathews, injuries were devastating early on to Graham. After missing three games his rookie season, he played just three games the next season, and had zero sacks. So after his first two seasons Graham had missed 16 games, only got to the quarterback three times, and had a total of 16 solo tackles. The fans of Philadelphia viewed him as bust. In his last three seasons Graham has avoided the injury bug and has played in 48 consecutive games. Each year his role has increased and he had a solid season in 2014. Graham accumulated 5.5 sacks despite being used as a rotational pass rusher. He proved to be one of the most effective pass rushers and gave the Eagles enough confidence to let the second all time sack leader in franchise history, Trent Cole, walk.
2015 will be the season that Graham validates why Andy Reid, and Adam Schefter, were so bullish on him. Finally being able to stay healthy and given the largest role of his career, it would not be far-fetched to predict a pro bowl season from the 6th year DE.
- 10 Sacks
- 75 total tackles
- 4 forced fumbles
Sam Bradford
Finally, the player that Schefter predicted would become a star, Sam Bradford. Bradford was selected number one by the St Louis Rams in 2010 so he was expected to develop into a star. He was on track to prove Schefter right after winning Rookie of the Year; ever since then Bradford’s career has been a travesty. He has needed two surgeries to prepare the same ACL, in consecutive years. His supporting cast in ST. Louis was abysmal and Bradford was left to make plays despite having little to no help. Going way out on the limb, I’m going to predict a pro bowl for Bradford. Of course these predictions are based on the assumption that the player will be healthy, and as it pertains to Bradford one can only assume that he will indeed get injured. However, as previously stated, Kelly’s program has kept the Eagles as the healthiest team and he seems to be confident it can work the same magic with Bradford.
In 2015 Bradford will have better weapons, and an offensive line than he ever had with the Rams. He is also reunited with his former college roommate, DeMarco Murray, who makes it easier on any quarterback.
- 4,000 Yards
- 30 Touchdowns
- 8 interceptions
- Completes 65% of his passes
Although Schefter’s predictions were a bit off, we believe this is the year all these players prove why they were selected where they were in the 2010 NFL Draft.
