Going Into Training Camp, Here are the Top Eagles Position Groups.
It is the time of the year again where NFL Teams gear up for another season on the gridiron. NFL Training Camps are right around the corner and the Eagles are looking to mesh together a revamped roster in the hopes of getting back to the Super Bowl. The roster is stacked with talent on both sides, but where does the best talent lie? Here are the top Eagles position groups going into training camp.
Wide Receiver
There isn’t much change on the offensive side of the ball between the 2023 and 2024 Eagles. However, that doesn’t mean they still don’t possess one of the most elite receiving duos in the sport. A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith both signed new extensions with the team this offseason. That means they’ll continue to be terrorizing defenses through the air for years to come.
The unit has been a two-man wrecking crew since these two joined forces in 2022. They became the first duo in Eagles franchise history to both finish with 1,000 receiving yards in 2022. On top of this Brown set the franchise record for receiving yards in a season with 1,496 and had another 1,400-yard season in 2023. Smith holds the Eagles’ rookie franchise receiving record with his 916-yard campaign in 2021. Smith has not dipped below the 1,000-yard mark since then.
Combined, Both Brown and Smith have totaled 6,130 receiving yards in their time with the team and 37 touchdowns. Expect this unit to be just a potent going forward.
Offensive Line
Building in the trenches has always been a point of emphasis for the Birds, and for over a decade, they’ve known how to do just that. This year’s unit has some uncertainty though. Longtime team captain Jason Kelce retired, and Cam Jurgens will be looking to fill his shoes. It’s a tall task, but offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland should be up for it.
He’s had plenty of success getting the most out of newcomers like Landon Dickerson and converted rugby player Jordan Mailata. Not to mention Jurgens will still have some veteran leadership to support him in guys like Lane Johnson.
Despite the Uncertainty at the center position, this unit still ranks second in the league according to Pro Football Focus.
The Secondary
Admittedly, the Defensive line could have been the selection here. However, it seems the team put more effort to rebuilding the secondary this offseason, bringing in a mix of fresh and familiar faces. They still have old stalwarts like Darius Slay, James Bradberry, and Reed Blankenship. However, they also brought back a familiar face in Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
Gardner-Johnson had a career year in 2022 with the Birds before going to Detroit for one season and having limited production with a torn pec. Now on a new three-year deal with the Eagles, he will look to re-establish his worth.
That’s not all the Eagles did though, they also brought in who they hope to be future cornerstones in the secondary through the draft. They picked up Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean who veterans like Slay hope to mentor and pass the torch to after retiring.
DeJean has suffered a hamstring injury that will sideline him for some time, but he’ll hope to see NFL action soon.
Main Image: Eric Hartline – USA Today Sports
