Defensive End
2017: Brandon Graham, Vinny Curry, Derek Barnett, Chris Long, Steven Means, Marcus Smith (pre-trade), Alex McCalister
2019: Brandon Graham, Derek Barnett, Vinny Curry, Josh Sweat, Shareef Miller, Joe Ostman, Daeshon Hall
The Eagles lose Chris Long, regain Vinny Curry in a cheaper capacity and replace Marcus Smith with a pair of young draft picks? This is another strong win for 2019. Joe Ostman seems to have the coaching staff playing romantic songs on the way home from the facility….actually, hang on.
Derek Barnett’s development as he enters year number 3, should naturally be questioned. Is he a starter, or are the concerns of him burning out? If he’s not starting ahead of Curry or Graham, that’s a big-time issue.
Chris Long played in a hefty chunk of snaps in 2017 and you’re going to have to rely on somebody to step up to the plate. Is that man going to be Shareef Miller, who is fairly one dimensional? Will it be Josh Sweat who disappeared all last year?
On second thoughts, I’m going to take certain production over potential hindered with question marks.
Winner: 2017
Defensive Tackle
2017: Fletcher Cox, Timmy Jernigan, Beau Allen, Destiny Vaeao, Elijah Qualls, Winston Craig
2019: Fletcher Cox, Malik Jackson, Timmy Jernigan, Hassan Ridgeway, Bruce Hector, Treyvon Hester, Anthony Wilkins
2019. Without a doubt. The Eagles were lacking in defensive tackle depth in 2018 and in a big way. Vaeao and Allen had combined for over 60% of defensive snaps between them during the team’s illustrious Super Bowl run and last year saw a complexion of practice squad products and UDFA’s.
Although Jernigan’s injury was a huge blow last year, he now returns to the team on a much cheaper deal and in what looks to be a DT3 capacity behind Malik Jackson, who is one of the best 3-tech pass rushers in the league, partnering Fletcher Cox, who’s coming off a career year.
I REALLY like Anthony Rush as well. 6’5, 350 lbs. The UDFA reminds me of Brandon Mebane in a lot of ways and if he can swallow double teams and allow those rapid defensive ends to feast, then hello sack city.
Winner: 2019
