Jordan Howard:
Through the opening nine weeks of the season, Howard would carry the ball 119 times for 525 yards, amassing his highest yards per carry since 2017.
The Eagles do face some questions now. Sanders had an electric rookie campaign, but there’s no doubt that the thunder/lightning combination worked wonders and aided his development. Corey Clement is also a free agent and that would leave only Boston Scott and Elijah Holyfield to backup their prized second-round pick.
The injury that Howard sustained may lead to a quieter market than if he had recorded yet another impressive full-season, a cheaper contract, and a return home for number 24.
Verdict: Stay
Halapoulivaati Vaitai
I love Vaitai and never understood the public frustration. He’s held his own at left tackle. He’s held his own at right tackle. He shut down Everson Griffen in 2017. He filled in for Johnson’s PED suspension. He’s definitely pushing for a starting role and will command a big payday. I’d love to keep a backup so valuable, but he’s outgrown that role and no way he’ll get that shot with the Eagles now thanks to the drafting of Dillard. Goodbye, big bear.
Verdict: Go
Kamu Grguier-Hill
As many of you know, I’m a MASSIVE KGH fan. I love his speed. I love his hustle on special teams, I love his flashes of really solid play. I dislike the fact he lied about a concussion to stay in the game and the Eagles know they need to re-invent their LB corps after letting Bradham walk anyway. However, the pros outweigh the cons. Bring him back.
Verdict: Stay
Jalen Mills:
This is another tricky one. The Eagles cannot afford to let Jalen Mills start again, I’m sorry but he’s just not a great corner. He did surprise me with thew ay he rebounded from injury and brought new patience to his game, but that took four years to implement. If the Eagles can bring back a player they clearly love in a rotational role however, I’m all for it.
Verdict: Stay
Craig James:
KING CRAIG….is probably going to lose his crown. Sorry, Craig. There’s a lot of young talent at CB (Maddox, Jones, Mills, Douglas, LeBlanc) and there isn’t much room considering the rebuilding task ahead. Off with his head.
Verdict: Go
Corey Clement:
Perhaps one of the most perplexing players in recent memory, the Eagles should probably just admit defeat. Nobody will forget his amazing Super Bowl outing. Unfortunately, everyone will forget what happened after because…well, did anything happen at all? Clement’s battled injury since entering the league and it may be time he finds a new home.
Verdict: Go
Rick Lovato
This should be obvious. For some reason, the Eagles were able to extend both Jake Elliott and Rick Lovato during the heart of the season, but their star punter remained unaccounted for and is now set to hit free agency. Whenever the Eagles offense sputtered to a grinding halt, it was Johnston’s iron leg that at least negated what would’ve been promising field position.
It’s a real shame that the Aussie doesn’t get the credit he deserves. Through the weeks where the defense was dragging a dying offense back into games, it was Johnston who was giving Schwartz and his men a realistic chance to do so.
Johnston ranked inside the top 15 of just about every metric possible in 2019, with his average of 46.4 yards per punt ranking him 9th in the NFL. At one point, he was actually over the 50 mark. 28 of his 71 punts landed inside the opponents 20.
In fact, his two seasons with the Eagles have been more than just impressive. With a net punting average of both 42.7 (2018) and 42.3 (2019) both ranking inside the top 30 net single-season averages of all time.
Verdict: Stay
Who would you bring back of the team’s pending free agents? Let us know in the comments!
