Eagles offseason predictions Volume Two: Where will #HowieSZN take us next?

Defensive Line

Fletcher Cox, Brandon Graham, Derek Barnett, Malik Jackson, Treyvon Hester, Josh Sweat, second round draft pick, mid-round draft pick

Fletcher Cox will be here forever. So will Brandon Graham.

Derek Barnett ended the season on IR after shoulder surgery in October. He has loads of talent and is poised for a huge year with more playing time.

#HOWIESZN

Howie Roseman started free agency started off with a bang with the signing of former Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Malik Jackson. You can look at how he fits here, but this is a great signing and the 2019 opposing QBs should be shaking.

Treyvon Hester was the hero of the game versus the Chicago Bears, when he tipped kicker Cody Parkey’s would-be game winning field goal. The Eagles like what they see from him and could give him a larger role next season.

Josh Sweat played in nine games last season and only registered one tackle. However, he has immense talent and should be able to showcase it next season.

Despite the signing of Jackson, I still expect the Eagles to draft two defensive linemen in the draft. With one of their second round picks and one with a mid-round pick. This will allow the Eagles to continue their rotational game plan and develop an elite pass rusher behind their already stacked defensive line.

Linebacker

Nigel Bradham, Kamu Grugier-Hill, Nate Gerry, Paul Worrilow, first round draft pick

Bradham has been worth every penny of the extension he signed last March, and with Jordan Hicks signing with the Cardinals, he is the undisputed leader of the linebacker corps.

Grugier-Hill had a very solid year for the team in 2018, totaling 45 tackles. He did drop a costly interception against the Cowboys, but he was playing with one hand so we’ll let that slide.

Nate Gerry was hurt most of the year but has shown flashes of great ability. He should provide solid depth.

Paul Worrilow resigned this offseason after missing all of 2018 with a torn ACL. He is a few years removed from his 143-tackle season in 2014, but he has the pedigree of a greta linebacker and a healthy 2019 season would be a great thing for the linebacker corps.

With the loss of Hicks to the Arizona Cardinals, linebacker depth is a major need for the Eagles. I believe this solidifies the first round pick being a linebacker. Enter Devin Bush Jr. You can see more about him here, but the dude would fit this defense perfectly.

Secondary

Malcolm Jenkins, Rodney McLeod, Jalen Mills, Cre’Von LeBlanc, Sidney Jones, Rasul Douglas, Avonte Maddox, mid round draft pick safety, Ronald Darby

14 different players played a snap on defense in the secondary last season. FOURTEEN. Injuries hit this team hard. However, 2019 looks to be a much healthier year and this young group will grow to a very solid unit.

Ironman Malcolm Jenkins played every. single. snap. in 2018 and will lead our young Avengers once again.

Rodney McLeod restructured his deal to stay with the team and will be a very welcomed re-addition to the secondary. Jalen Mills and Sidney Jones will try to prove their health and ability. Avonte Maddox and Rasul Douglas will be there to build on their strong 2018 seasons. Captain Cre’Von LeBlanc will be there to do more of this:

#FlyEaglesFly CB Cre'Von LeBlanc @strap_ent INT vs #GoSaints QB Drew Brees first play from Scrimmage #PHIvsNO Video at BDST Click https://t.co/38hrl8zhjs SAINTS EAGLES #eagleseverywhere #Eagles #EaglesNation #EaglesTalk #EaglesTwitter #EaglesWorld #NFLPlayoffs #NFCDivisional pic.twitter.com/jXBmNdPja7

— Bluedude Sportstalk Enterprises LLC (@BlueDudeSports) January 14, 2019

and this:

Yup, @Strap_Ent locked down coverage in the playoffs for the Eagles this past season pic.twitter.com/iymGt0Vsd8

— PFF (@PFF) March 12, 2019

Finally, I think Ronald Darby returns on a team friendly deal. He tore his ACL in November but will be healthy come training camp. Keeping him with this group could provide huge dividends for the secondary.