As Training camp draws near, the Eagles are in a situation that hindered them last year due to injuries. The team has taken a new focus when it comes to depth and they’ve done pretty well in making sure they’re stacked in their most important positions.
In a perfect world the Eagles can keep all the players in the roster without penalty, but this isn’t a perfect world, just take a look at your Ex’s current love life, burn. Don’t get offended, I’m just joking with you. Anyways back to the matter at hand. Here’s several players that I believe could be the odd men out come the beginning of the season:
RB Josh Adams
Former UDFA Josh Adams was everything the team needed last year. He had LeGarrette Blount type breakaways and provided the running back group with the spark they needed. The only downfalls were his ability in short yardage situations and his shoulder injury. That setback kept him out of the playoffs in a time where the Eagles needed him the most. With the acquisitions of Jordan Howard and Miles Sanders, it may seem that Josh Adams may not be of much use right now.
Many fans will believe it’s time for the team to move on from Wendell Smallwood but Smallwood has progressed fairly in each of his first couple of seasons and the coaching staff seem to be against the idea of losing the West Virginia product. I’d definitely choose Adams over Smallwood without hesitation because I believe if they develop the talent of Adams for the next couple of seasons, he would be a great compliment to Miles Sanders.
RB Wendell Smallwood
Please don’t tell me that you thought I was keeping him off of the list, did you?? I hope not. Smallwood hasn’t produced at the level the Eagles have needed him to and that’s evident. In three years with the team, Smallwood has only produced for 850 rushing yards on 211 attempts with 5 touchdowns. Granted, he’s not a premier back and was never expected to be but neither is Corey Clement and his stats are on pace to pass Smallwood’s stats. With the Eagles drafting Miles Sanders, they fill a need for a shifty electric back something Smallwood was expected to be. As things stand, Smallwood may stay on the roster this season but due to the pecking order of Howard, Sanders, and Clement; also add in a healthy Josh Adams. With no room for failure, Smallwood might have an uphill battle to just make the roster.
WR Shelton Gibson
Gibson is another West Virginia product that may be the odd man out now. With all the attention focused on Mack Hollins and his mysterious injury, Gibson has flown way under the radar to the point of almost irrelevancy. Gibson had a great catch last season against the Vikings but in his short tenure that has been his lone bright spot. In two seasons with the team, Gibson only has 59 yards on 3 receptions with no touchdowns. Last season, Gibson had the opportunity to show out and possibly knock out Hollins from the pecking order but failed to do so. At this point, injured or not, Hollins holds more value then Gibson.
CB Deiondre’ Hall
Has anyone seen this man? No sarcasm, I’m being serious. When the team acquired Hall, I was under the impression that they believed he would develop into the hair apparent to Malcolm Jenkins. Maybe he will, maybe he won’t but the team hasn’t shown that he can or will yet. Last season, even with a depleted secondary, the team instead relied on safety Tre’ Sullivan instead. Sullivan seems to be heavier in the mix than most can see. This offseason the team also invested in former Rams safety Black Countess by signing him to a multi-year deal after claiming him off waivers. Also, I still believe the team will go out and make a move for a veteran safety in either free agency or via trade. If they do so, then that could spell the end of times for Hall.
WR Nelson Agholor
This one is very dependent on JJ Arcega-Whiteside. If Whiteside or Hollins take a big needed step in the slot, then this could push Agholor out. Agholor was one of the best slot receivers in 2017 but took a bit of a step backwards in 2018. The team needs receivers that can impact the game in huge ways now. Also with the emergence of Dallas Goedert, the slot position could become a bit crowded in 2019. The confidence that the team had in Agholor last season became very evident when they traded for an older slot receiver in Golden Tate. That move alone pushed Agholor off the field. Unless Nelly can show significant progress this season, I don’t see the Eagles hesitating to trade him especially with his $9.4 million cap hit.
Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
